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A backup plan beats a single big drive.

Last updated: November 1, 2026.

The 3-2-1 rule

Keep three copies on two kinds of media with one off-site.

Drives

See Time Machine drives and 2TB drives.

Protection

See fireproof safes and encrypted drives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often back up?

Automatically if you can.

Is cloud enough?

Use both.

Do drives fail?

Yes.

Bottom Line

Three copies, two media, one off-site.

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