Backup encryption for my woodworking plans feels excessive

I keep all my woodworking project plans and sketches in a cloud folder. Most security guides insist on encrypting such files before uploading them. I tried it for a while, but decrypting files to view them on my phone at the hardware store was a real pain. These are just personal plans for bookshelves and birdhouses, nothing proprietary. Now, I rely on a solid password and review the login history for my account every month. Last fall, someone tried to access my account from a strange location, and the alert system caught it immediately. For a casual hobby, that level of vigilance seems sufficient to me. Adding encryption feels like solving a problem I don't actually have.

2 comments

2 Comments

james_allen2414h ago

But see, that's where I'd push back (just a bit). Even basic project files can be a goldmine if someone gets into your cloud account. They could hold them for ransom, or worse, sell your personal info if it's stored in there too. An alert after the fact is great, but it doesn't stop the files from being taken if your password gets cracked. A quick decrypt on your phone is a small hassle compared to that mess, honestly.

the_lisa9h ago

After a scare last year, I encrypt all my project files on my computer before they sync to the cloud. I use a free tool that makes a locked container, so even if my password is stolen, the data is safe. It's a bit of a habit now, but way better than dealing with a breach. Have you tried something like that?