Re: Query on adding a USB hdd
andy wrote:
Hi all
I am thinking of getting an external/USB2.0 hard-drive.
This is entirely new to me, so I have a load of questions if you guys
don't mind throwing your opinions into the pot on this?
1. Is this a device that can/should be rw via other (possibly
non-GNU/Linux) machines? If yes, then what are the best avenues for a
decent encryption set-up on this USB drive?
This disc can be accessed by any machine which has
a USB port and drivers for it. If you want to share it
between machines, then you need to use a file system
all machines you intend to share it between can understand.
In practice, this probably means FAT32, if you intend
to use Microsoft OS to read and/or write it.
Only you can decide whether the disc needs to be shared
between machines or between multiple OS on a single machine.
The purpose of encryption is to prevent sharing of information.
Using it on a disc which is intended to be used on multiple
machines or OS seems, umm, odd. For portable/removable media,
the appropriate security seems to me to be physical security.
Like with credit cards, the appropriate measure seems to me
to be not to let it fall into the wrong hands. Someone who
has physical access to your disc has all the time in the
world to try to break encryption.
2. Does this need to be made bootable? And if so, what of those BIOS
that don't have the option for USB boots?
Only you know what the intended use is, so we can't answer the
question of whether it needs to be bootable. Only you know
whether you need to use it with a machine on which the BIOS
does not have the capability to boot from a USB drive. If you have
one, then only you can investigate what works on it. I've
had success with SBM Smart Boot Manager with old BIOS, but that's
using ATA CDROMs, not USB drives.
3. How would I go about cfdisking it? Would I need to change something
in /etc/fstab and create a mount point (which would seem logical)? How
could I set this up so that it automounts when plugged in?
Accessing the drive at the level you describe is better done with
the drive UNMOUNTED.
4. Any gotchas or dire warnings? Any alternative ideas about obtaining
portable storage space?
Tell us your requirements, and you'll get answers. So far, you're
discussing *means*, not *needs*. If you tell us your needs, then
some means can be suggested. Just discussing means isn't going
to get very far. Network access might be a better solution to your
needs for more space and sharing of data, for example.
Thanks for any thoughts on this. There's a good deal on locally and I am
just wondering how feasible it would be to take advantage because an
external drive makes good sense as a system back-up repository, as well
as for additional data.
Backups need to be stored physically distant from the machine
they back up. I've got mine stored about 10 miles from my house.
Back up media are not for daily use. I strongly advise you not
to use a single medium as "back-up repository, as well as for
additional data", because a single power surge will kill both
your main system, and your "backup" in that case. Or a house
fire. Or nearly anything. Backup media need to be dedicated.
Also, backups need to be retained. If you get compromised, you
want to be able to get your machine back to a pre-compromised
state. This means, if you reuse your backup media, that they
need to be in rotation. I would suggest a minimum of three
backups. Only overwrite the oldest.
I don't overwrite, but I make regular backups. I suggest that
you do incremental type backups weekly, and full backups at
least monthly. Depending on how often your data may change,
you may need more often. Anyway, I recommend that you keep
your monthly backups away from your computer.
These recommendations are for casual home use. If you are in
a commercial environment, then you have more stringent needs.
Losing a month of e-mails and your latest saves from computer
games is a lot different from losing your financial records.
YMMV
Mike
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