Blog | G5 Cyber Security

Cloud Backup with AES Encryption

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

This guide shows you how to automatically backup your important files to a cloud sync service (like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive) and encrypt them using AES-128 encryption for extra security. We’ll use VeraCrypt to create an encrypted container.

Step 1: Choose a Cloud Sync Service

Pick a reliable cloud sync provider. Popular options include:

Install the desktop application for your chosen service.

Step 2: Install VeraCrypt

VeraCrypt is free, open-source disk encryption software. Download and install it from the official website. Make sure you download the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Step 3: Create an Encrypted Container

  1. Open VeraCrypt.
  2. Click “Create Volume”.
  3. Select “Create an encrypted file container” and click “Next”.
  4. Choose “Standard VeraCrypt volume” and click “Next”.
  5. Click “Select File…” to choose a location and name for your encrypted container (e.g., mybackup.vc). Click “Next”.
  6. Choose AES encryption algorithm. AES-128 is a good balance of security and speed. Click “Next”.
  7. Set the volume size. This depends on how much data you want to back up. Be realistic, but allow for future growth. Click “Next”.
  8. Create a strong password. Use a long, complex password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Click “Next”.
  9. Move your mouse randomly within the window as VeraCrypt generates randomness to strengthen encryption. This is important! Click “Next”.
  10. Click “Format” to create the encrypted container. It will take some time depending on the volume size.

Step 4: Mount and Use the Encrypted Container

  1. In VeraCrypt, click “Select File…” and choose your encrypted container file (e.g., mybackup.vc).
  2. Click “Mount”.
  3. Enter your password when prompted.
  4. The container will appear as a drive letter in your operating system (e.g., Z: on Windows, /Volumes/MyBackup on macOS).

Step 5: Copy Files to the Mounted Container

Copy the files you want to back up into the mounted VeraCrypt volume (the drive letter that appeared in Step 4). This is like copying files to a USB stick.

Step 6: Configure Cloud Sync for the Container Folder

  1. Open your cloud sync application.
  2. Add the folder containing your encrypted container file (e.g., the folder where you saved mybackup.vc) to your synced folders.
  3. The cloud sync service will now automatically upload and keep synchronized any changes to the container file.

Step 7: Unmount the Container When Finished

Important! Always unmount the VeraCrypt volume when you’re finished using it.

  1. In VeraCrypt, select the mounted drive letter and click “Dismount”.

Step 8: Automate Backups (Optional)

For regular backups, consider a scripting solution or backup software that can automatically copy files to the mounted container. Here’s an example using `rsync` on Linux:

rsync -avz /path/to/important/files /mnt/veracrypt_volume/

(Replace /path/to/important/files with the actual path to your files and /mnt/veracrypt_volume/ with the mount point of your VeraCrypt volume.) You’ll need to automate mounting and unmounting the volume as part of this script.

Important Considerations

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