Over the past few years, ransomware has escalated to become one of the most significant threats to data security and integrity. Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a user's data or locks them out of their system, demanding a ransom payment to restore access. According to cybersecurity firm Cybersecurity Ventures, global ransomware damages were predicted to reach $20 billion in 2021, a staggering increase from $325 million in 2015. This exponential rise underscores the urgent need for effective data protection strategies.

Cloud Syncing vs. True Data Backup

Many users rely on cloud syncing services like iCloud and Google Drive for data storage, believing these platforms offer sufficient protection against data loss. However, these services are not true backups but rather synchronization tools. They are designed to keep your files consistent across multiple devices and provide easy access to your data from anywhere. While convenient, this synchronization means that any changes made to files on one device—including deletions or corruptions caused by ransomware—are automatically replicated across all devices and the cloud.

In contrast, online backup solutions such as CrashPlan or Backupify are specifically engineered to protect against data loss, including from ransomware attacks. These services create independent, secure copies of your data that are not automatically altered when changes occur on your local device. They often include features like:

• Versioning: The ability to restore previous versions of files from points in time before the data was compromised.
• Incremental Backups: Only new or changed data is backed up after the initial full backup, saving time and storage space.
• Encryption: Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, enhancing security.
• Isolation: Backups are stored separately from your main system, reducing the risk of simultaneous compromise.

The Risk with Cloud Syncing Services

When ransomware infects a device synced with a cloud service like iCloud or Google Drive, it can encrypt or corrupt files that are then automatically uploaded to the cloud. This means the encrypted or corrupted files replace the healthy versions stored online, effectively spreading the damage. Since these services lack robust versioning with extended retention periods, recovering the original uninfected files becomes difficult, if not impossible.

The Advantage of Dedicated Backup Solutions

Online backup services like CrashPlan and Backupify mitigate this risk by maintaining historical versions of your files and storing backups independently of your primary system. In the event of a ransomware attack:

1. Detection: Some backup solutions offer ransomware detection by monitoring unusual file changes.
2. Restoration: You can restore your system to a point before the attack occurred without paying the ransom.
3. Continuity: Business operations or personal productivity can resume more quickly, minimizing downtime.

Key Differences Summarized

• Purpose:
  • Cloud Syncing (iCloud, Google Drive): Designed for accessibility and real-time synchronization across devices.
  • Online Backup (CrashPlan, Backupify): Designed for data recovery and long-term retention of file versions.
• Data Protection:
  • Cloud Syncing: Vulnerable to propagating corrupted or encrypted files due to automatic syncing.
  • Online Backup: Provides isolated backups with version history, protecting against data corruption and loss.

Best Practices for Data Protection

• Implement a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy: Keep at least three copies of your data, on two different media, with one copy off-site (cloud backup).
• Regularly Test Restorations: Ensure that your backups are functional and data can be restored effectively.
• Keep Software Updated: Regular updates can patch vulnerabilities that ransomware exploits.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Awareness of phishing schemes and safe browsing habits reduces the risk of infection.

Conclusion

Relying solely on cloud syncing services like iCloud or Google Drive for data protection is insufficient in the face of sophisticated threats like ransomware. These services, while excellent for accessibility and collaboration, do not offer the robust protection and recovery options provided by dedicated online backup solutions. By incorporating services like CrashPlan or Backupify into your data management strategy, you create a resilient defense against data loss, ensuring that you can restore your information without yielding to ransom demands.

References

• Cybersecurity Ventures. (2021). 2021 Cybersecurity Almanac: 100 Facts, Figures, Predictions And Statistics. Link
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). NIST Special Publication 1800-11: Data Integrity: Recovering from Ransomware and Other Destructive Events. Link
• CrashPlan. (n.d.). Why Backup Is Important in the Age of Ransomware. Link