Avoiding Cloud Storage for Computer Security

Uncategorized

While I have cloud storage accounts on DropBox and Google Drive, unlike many of you I only ue these services for very specific low risk purposes. When the number of online services which have been hacked rising, and the extremely low cost of purchasing HUGE external hard drives, it does not make sense to store sensitive, important personal data and files online. In addition, these the smaller of these online services might go bankrupt. Try recovering data from the cloud from a bankrupt service.

My solution is easy:

  • Use SyncToy from Microsoft (free semi-automated backup tool)
  • Purchase a large external USB hard drive

The image shown below demonstrates how with a single click I easily back up all my important data (documents, email, photos, etc). I've blacked out my file structure for security reasons. Give this process a try!

SyncToy

(click upon image to view at full size)

Post Update: Make certain you read the two comments from Jim and Steve. They make some very good points about backing up your computer. Expanding upon my own post, a even better solution as Steve noted would be to have your backup in a different building. I also like Jim's comments about letting your relatives know how to access your data assuming an untimely demise of yourself! Thanks guys, great comments!

Amity: A Winter Wonderland Photographic Tour

Northern Life

My first book, Amity, will be published and available via Amazon in approximately seven days. However, I am giving away a pdf version of my book via NorthStarNerd.Org (this web site). Here is the book's description:

  • The Lake Superior wilderness of northern Minnesota is rustically beautiful. Amity invites you to explore this region's winter wonderland through the eyes of landscape and nature photographer Rich Hoeg. The word "Amity" comes from a small stream that roars down the hill to Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota.

Working (and playing) at photography over the past twelve months since retiring from Honeywell has been rewarding. Albeit doing photoshoots outdoors this winter in weather that often was -30F and colder had its drawbacks. I was flattered to see organizations such as Fox News and the Weather Channel pick up and use my ice cave photographs in national news articles on the Apostle Islands Sea Caves. In addition, being one of the few finalists in the Lake Superior Magazine annual photo contest was an honor.

I hope you enjoy Amity. 

Here is just one photo from Amity. This photo of Split Rock Lighthouse was taken shortly before dawn on April 18, 2014. Winter is finally starting to give up here grip on the Northland.

(click to view photo at full resolution)

Split-Rock-Dawn-2

Wireless Internet Access on the Go

Economy 2.0

Recently I spent some extended time down in Florida assisting my Dad. He does not have internet access at his home, and is not interested in having a service hooked up to his house. Needing and wanting 24×7 internet access meant I started research for a service which would solve my access issue. Enter DayPass Wireless, which provided an easy, cost effective solution.

At this point I should comment that I paid for my service through DayPass Wireless, and I have no relationship with anyone, or even know anyone with this company. I found them via a Google keyword search. DayPass Wireless has not paid me for this blog post. I just found their service useful and wanted to let other folks know via my blog.

There service could not have been easier. I entered the address of my Father's Florida home, and they determined what connection (i.e. what carrier) would be optimum for my location. Day Pass Wireless then shipped a mifi mobile hotspot to my Dad's home. It was waiting for me when I arrived down in Florida from Duluth, Minnesota and worked perfectly over the next 11 days. I was charged $7.79 per day plus $9.90 for shipping. The cost seemed reasonable. When I returned north last Friday, I just put the mifi in a prepaid shipping US Postal Service shipping envelope and popped it into my Dad's mailbox. Could not have been easier. My data allowance was 335 mb per day, which was fine for normal web browsing and activities. However, my wife and I instituted a "no video" rule to insure we would not go over our data limit. Missing YouTube videos of cat herding for eleven days was not a hardship

I hope to test DayPass Wireless later this Spring up in the northern Minnesota wilderness. If this service works for my remote cabin that would be sweet!

Business-Card-Image

Kayaking the Deeps

Northern Life

I watched two very skilled, and brave young men kayak down "The Deeps" waterfall this afternoon. The power of this waterfall during the winter snow melt runoff is amazing. If you would like to watch similar kayaking up in the northland, please keep an eye on the Lester River Kayak Facebook Page. Tentatively, subject to river flow and ice conditions, the race is scheduled for next Easter weekend.

If the two men who were in the kayaks send me an email, I will be happy to arrange free delivery of the high resolution copies of these pictures. I've also included a photo of The Deeps which I took yesterday. This photo will give you a better appreciation of the waterfall they kayaked down.

Kayaker #1
Kayaking-The-Deeps-1

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Kayaker #2
Kayaking-The-Deeps-2

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The Deeps (photo taken one day prior)
The-Deeps