The best online backup for Mac will offer several layers of security for your data. Many providers encrypt data while it is still on your computer in addition to encrypting it on its way to their servers. They also offer secure methods for sharing files and folders through administrative controls. Password protection offers another layer of security.
Even with all of those protections in place, it can be intimidating to send your personal data into the cloud. One tool offered by more and more Mac online backup services is the opportunity to manage your own encryption key. You may wonder what that means. Here's what you need to know:
Encryption Explained
Data is considered encrypted when a set of algorithms is applied to it, causing it to be scrambled and converted into a format that is not decipherable by humans. It makes your data unusable to hackers. In order to use encrypted data it must be unscrambled, which requires a code or key. Online backup providers generally establish the key that will unscramble your information.
They also generally scramble that key and store it in a different place from the bulk of your data. You can now opt to create your own key and store it where you like. That way no one at the online backup company has a way to access your data.
Key Options
Providers that offer the option of creating your own key do not recommend it for most users. That is because it is pretty easy to lose track of your key. If you lose the key neither you nor anyone at the backup company will be able to decrypt your files. You will lose access to that data forever.
Small business owners may want to consider taking sole control of their key if they manage certain types of health or personal finance information for clients. Federal laws require any possessor of that information to keep it private.
Many providers will take over the management of your encryption key for you, even if you kept your own key at some point, so if you change your mind you have options.
Protecting Your Key
If you choose to be in control of your encryption key, you will want to protect it in a number of ways that resemble methods used for safeguarding all types of data. For instance, keeping two copies will be important in case one gets lost. Storing one copy on a flash drive in a safe place is a good idea. It is also a good idea to tell at least one other person that you trust where your key can be found in case of an emergency.
Summary
While we much prefer Mac online backup providers that at least give you the option of controlling your own key, we agree that it is not the best option for most users. However, if you manage sensitive information of some kind, it may be worth your consideration. It's useful to have the option for that one added layer of security.
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