Stop using SSDs now (do this instead…)

Explaining why buying SSDs might be a BAD idea. So many people are still buying cheap and cheerful SSDs and thinking it's a great way to backup your data without realising the risks. SSD's are great, when you use them for the right reason. So I hope this helps!

[Update - It seems this video has found a very tech savvy audience who don't agree with what I've said. I don't disagree that a better solution is to store and backup your data to more complex solutions such as NAS, Tape backup, self-built solutions, local SSD's that are encrypted and duplicated and rotated forever. But for most people who are buying an SSD to back up their life memories or family photos, when throw the SSD into a drawer and hope it works again in 20-30 years when they want to relive old memories, those solutions aren't a valid option for them.]

🛒 GET THE STUFF 👇

⏩ SKIP TO THE STUFF 👇
0:00 SSDs are a bad idea
0:47 The risks of using SSDs to back up your data
1:41 The solution: 3-2-1 backup rule
2:15 Cloud Storage: The Basics
3:37 The BIG problem with the 'Big Brands'
4:53 Google Drive
6:51 iDrive
7:16 How to keep your data even more safe!
8:51 Backup-only options
9:10 Backblaze
9:34 Instead, maybe a NAS is right for you?
10:03 My SSD recommendations
12:23 Securing my memories for the future

🎬 WATCH THE STUFF 👇

🤝 COMMUNITY STUFF 👇

💬 SOCIAL STUFF 👇

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Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Some links in the descriptions are affiliate links that if you click on, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

[PeteMatheson]

Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out this week's video! I hope that it is useful to you! Let me know: how are YOU currently backing up your stuff?

[garfreld]

Use unreliable, intrusive and expensive cloud drives that you dont own instead of your own personal hard drive. Brilliant advice.

[Drummer]

As long as you have a WiFi connection. If prices go up, your data could be held hostage. Finally, data breaches are escalating and that will continue.

[Laszlo]

THERE IS NO CLOUD! IT'S JUST SOMEONE ELSE'S COMPUTER!! <facepalm> Notice how this was paid for in part by an online password service, because THAT'S a smart idea! (sarcasm)

[Practical-IT]

Get a NAS for home, so you always have local network speeds. You can then set it to backup to the cloud AFTER its been encrypted.

[GazGaryGazza]

Have to disagree with the premise that your data will still be there in 1, 5, 10, 20 years - anything connected gives you absolutely no guarantee. What about the company going bump, getting taken over, failing due to poor practices and lost data. Its the same with any actual item you buy that's connected - they can be downgraded remotely by the manufacturer, charges applied, services withdrawn, software no longer supported. You buy nothing and you have no control. Having the physical data in your hands puts you in full control and so long as you are sensible and use the 3-2-1 procedure you will be fine

[MrLeandrus]

In the last 32 years working in IT and building my computers for my self or for other business, I have found that when it comes to SSDs(and even HDs back then), I tend to buy a new SSD(HD back then) with a bigger size, every 2 to 3 years, and copy the most important Data to the new SSD. Then if the old SSDs which are still working but they have small storage sizes, I just disconnect them. I try to buy SSDs with 3 to 5 years of warranty, so I know they will my Data for longer. The same with my m.2 Storage, I also do the same, get a new one, clone C Drive to it, and then use it as my Primary windows m.2.
So basically having your Data on a 2-3 years rotation, will guarantee not SSD will probably fail, and it works. But as Pete says, would be best to double store your most crucial data into different places like in the Cloud or an external SSD or combination of both.

So for me, atm I am fine with having 3x m.2 Gen 4, 2TB, 2TB, 1TB. 3x SSDs 2TB, 2TB, 1TB, and a couple mechanical HDs which now are barely used on an external enclosure. So Rotation of data into new Storage is your friend IMO :) and every 2-3 years getting a new storage shouldn't sink your Wallet :)

I would also encrypt anything going to the cloud. But I personally wouldn't expose my family pictures to a cloud service, as there are always privacy concerns :)

[kienhwengtai]

Sorry cloud backups require ... Internet which is less reliable than SSDs

[mrca]

I had to get 2tb of Google photos storage but I just couldn't use cloud storage for everything I definitely prefer having actual files on a drive

[fintux]

I wonder why plain old external HDDs were not mentioned in the video. Mechanical drives have their weaknesses, too, but in general do not need to be plugged in regularly to keep the data. They have much simpler firmware that doesn't tend to wipe all your data and they are cheaper, too, and more eco friendly as long as you don't keep them spinning 24/7 for 10+ years. The speed is not really an issue for just bulk storage (for most people they match or exceed the Internet connection speed anyways).

[ethernet]

google drive has deleted my work twice, never trusting it again or anything that isint the nas that lives in my network rack

[mllarson]

Another (albeit slower) method is to get a Blu-ray burner capable of writing M-Discs and archiving project files to them once you have the "final" version. When stored properly they should last as long as you do.

[Jad]

If you're going to use the cloud i.e someone else's computer, store it as encrypted files. The encryption should be done on your end and not theirs.

[Darkk]

I rather build my own NAS server and put it at a family or friend's house. Then use SyncThing to keep stuffs sync'd in real time. Cool thing about SyncThing is that you don't need to mess around with the firewall or anything. Just put the NAS anywhere you'd like and it will do it's thing in the background.

[Kevin-onez]

The only issue with the cloud aren't you just putting your data on someone else computer

[Plazmal]

Not everyone wants to pay a subscription, and there are privacy concerns around storing data in "the cloud"

I just have encrypted backups on multiple HDD & SSD drives

[David_Quinn_Photography]

I use a NAS with a friend who has another NAS across the US we get monthly backups and we are both semi techy so if a drive fails we can replace it our selves.

[ZotmundSzele]

You've left out OneDrive, mate. I use that, as for the price of roughly Google's storage, I get the Office 365 Suite AND 1TB each, for 6 people in the family.

[steveellsworth]

You had me until you mentioned cloud. I run mostly Linux at home and I do my absolute best to keep as little of my data in the cloud. I do local backups a few times a month.

[peterschmidt]

Until one of these big companies decide to discontinue the service. What happens if you have no internet service? If there's a data breach with your storage supplier? The company gets taken over? Or worse goes into bankruptcy?
Yes you should have multiple backups, but just relying on cloud storage isn't the answer - it's also just plain bad advice.