# Backups

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In the article on [backups in the countermeasures](https://wiki.aktivismus.org/books/it-sicherheit-esc-it/page/backups)
section, we described why backups are so important. Here we want to show how backups can
be made.

## Backup of what?

Of course, everyone has to think for themselves about what needs to be backed up. Here
are a few common examples:

- Passwords
- Contact details (phone numbers, email addresses, etc.)
- Official documents
- Texts you have written yourself (or others have written)
- Logs (if necessary)
- Chats (if necessary)
- Images (photos, etc.)

## How to back up

There are, of course, many ways to make backups. From simple copying and operating
system functions to powerful programs such as borg/rsync, Kopia, or others.

> [!tip] Important {static}
>
> Only back up to [encrypted data carriers](./vera-crypt/vera-crypt-encryption.md)!

### Copy manually

The simplest way to back up is, of course, to simply insert a USB stick into the
computer and copy your important files (user folder) to it, or to copy all folders from
the file manager on your mobile phone to it. However, this can be very inefficient, as
new data that needs to be backed up is constantly being created. Then you have to
evaluate each time which files and folders need to be copied again.

> [!success] Advantages {static}
>
> - No technical knowledge or extra tools needed

> [!fail] Disadvantages {static}
>
> - Evaluate what needs to be backed up each time
> - Not automated (you have to remember to do it yourself)
> - All data must be copied over each time (takes a long time)

### Native backup functions

#### MacOS

MacOS makes it very easy for users to make **regular** backups. The in-house tool is
called `Time Machine`. Apple's own
[instructions](https://support.apple.com/de-de/104984) are very easy to understand.

All you need is a storage medium that is large enough. In this case, large enough means
at least twice the size of the data to be backed up.

> [!success] Advantages {static}
>
> - Configure once, then just connect the storage medium each time
> - Fast: Files that were already in the previous backup and are still unchanged are
>   skipped.
> - Depending on your settings, `Time Machine` can keep multiple backups, so you can
>   restore different versions of you files _(yesterday, last month, and last year, for
>   example)_. Again, the point above applies here: nothing is stored twice.
> - Automatically deletes old backups that are replaced in the new run

> [!fail] Disadvantages {static}
>
> - You have to remember to connect the storage medium regularly