liberty
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
- Total Posts : 111
- Joined: 2004/07/14 13:00:05
- Location: Buenos Aires - Argentina
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 00:42:29
(permalink)
Sonar X2a Producer, IntelQ6600, 4GB ram, RME HDSP9652, and AMD Phenom X6 1100T, 16 GB Ram, Windows 7 64, 3x Behringer ADA8000, BCF-2000etc...
|
BobbyT
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
- Total Posts : 107
- Joined: 2011/03/29 21:35:46
- Location: Texas
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 02:39:21
(permalink)
chuckebaby
Im a bit reckless myself (sure some may even call me a fool) But I don't do disk images anymore.
I used to But it was useless for me as I have gone almost 10 years without a problem.
At one point I had 2 PC (DAW And a Surfer) with a mouse keyboard box (KVM Switch) but that got old.
Because sometimes I had focus problems when switching from PC number 1 to PC number 2.
So about 2 years ago I decided to only back up Projects only. I don't frequent unfamiliar sites, always have my Anti Virus up to date and just take caution. I am aware that not matter how safe you are there is always a risk.
However there are ways to decrease your chances of an attack.
-Don't open attachments you are not sure about.
-Don't click on links sent you in emails (unless you know exactly who they are) Some links, using prefixes and familiar name beginnings. Example: FaceBooks com. Attackers are getting smarter by the minute.
-Don't ever download something you are not sure about.
I totally agree Chuck,but i still do disk imaging it saves alot of heartache,i had an unrelated problem and could not access my projects,a lightening strike,put my resent backup drive in and i was back in bizz after not having any problem for about five years and the new battery backup i use now helps the electrical situation alot.
|
rwheeler
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
- Total Posts : 89
- Joined: 2008/04/07 20:25:02
- Location: Vermont
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 06:12:37
(permalink)
Although my backup routine includes automatic daily data backup and weekly offsite drive rotation, reading this thread has reminded me of vulnerabilities to address before the next drive failure (just a matter of time) or malware invasion (possible despite best practices). It is very easy to drift away from ideal intentions as files migrate across additional drives and routines gradually fail to accommodate the various changes. I've been lax about system disk imaging, and I see that my current automation misses things that should be included and I haven't been good about disconnecting backup drives in between backups, so this thread lights a fire under me to close the gaps right away.
Thank you (and deep sympathy) to the OP for sharing this dramatic reminder of what can happen. And thank you to everyone else who posted useful suggestions.
Sonar Platinum lifetime plan, i7-4930k 3.4 GHx, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD system drive, Dell 2560x1600 monitor, Windows 10 64bit, Edirol UA-101, Nektar LX88+.
|
jadonx
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
- Total Posts : 102
- Joined: 2009/03/18 05:50:41
- Location: North Yorkshire, England
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 06:45:01
(permalink)
The Grim
jpetersen
Backups only save projects.
The time-consuming part is re-installing and re-registering all software.
Making regular ISOs after every install is also required.
If you pay, you finance the attack on the next victims.
i think when most people (at least i do) say 'back up' they mean making a disk image, so there is no time lost reinstalling etc, 15/20 minutes and you are up and running as if nothing happened.
Can you tell me the easiest way of doing this or recommend a software for doing an ISO back up please as its something I have not done. thanks John
Windows 10 64bit Sonar platinum(rolling updates..latest version) Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2nd gen Yamaha HS5 monitors Laptop Intel i7 12GB ram Guitars(elec/acoustic 6/12 string),keyboards(Yamaha p115,oxygen49),harmonica,bass hobbyist
|
jpetersen
Max Output Level: -61 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1499
- Joined: 2015/07/11 20:22:53
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 09:36:21
(permalink)
The easiest way is to use what's already in Windows. You can (REALLY SHOULD!) make a copy of the recovery partition, usually with the tools supplied by the manufacturer. This is a once-only thing, when you set up your PC for the first time.
Then, whenever a new software is installed, make a complete system backup. Windows has tools for this, but lately Windows insists on an external hard drive. It will not accept thumb drives, even if formatted NTFS. This is a pain.
I prefer to keep a generation or two, in case the malware has been lying dormant for a while.
And then there's the regular backups of the projects themselves.
There's backup software that does this better. I'm sure someone will jump in and offer some insights, I have no experience with 3rd party backup tools.
|
The Grim 
Max Output Level: -76 dBFS
- Total Posts : 724
- Joined: 2016/04/19 02:31:06
- Location: hades
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 16:41:45
(permalink)
i would use something like 'acronis true image' i have used it for a while now, never had an issue with it, works like a dream. it will do disk images (backup whole disk and/or partitions, or whatever folders/files you choose) i always just do complete drive images everytime, takes a bit more space, but hey, i back up my project files and other stuff manually to a couple of different locations regularly so if disaster strikes i haven't lost much and can be back up and running in 15/20 minutes.
|
rogeriodec
Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
- Total Posts : 753
- Joined: 2004/04/09 13:55:04
- Location: Brazil
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 18:09:33
(permalink)
The Grim
i would use something like 'acronis true image' i have used it for a while now, never had an issue with it, works like a dream. it will do disk images (backup whole disk and/or partitions, or whatever folders/files you choose) i always just do complete drive images everytime, takes a bit more space, but hey, i back up my project files and other stuff manually to a couple of different locations regularly so if disaster strikes i haven't lost much and can be back up and running in 15/20 minutes.
Definitely Acronis True Image, is the most versatile and flexible backup system I have tested among many. Here I do a disk backup (ISO) of all my hard drives to an external hard drive, via Acronis True Image; and for them not to get too big, I do Incremental Backups, maximum compression, also excluding some unnecessary files and folders, things that this software allows. In case of a calamity, it is easy to recover everything. And for the most important Sonar projects, I do an immediate backup via FreeFileSync, as I explained here.
rogeriodec.com.br* Cakewalk By Bandlabs (always lastest versions), Window 10 x64* Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface* Intel i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00 GHz / ASROCK EXTREME 4 Z97 Mobo* 2 SSD Samsung Evo 250 Gb (RAID-0) + 1 Western Digital 2 Tb + 1 Seagate 1 Tb* Onboard video / 16 Gb RAM HyperX Fury 1600 Mhz* 3 LCD Monitors* Axiom 61 MIDI Controller, Tapco S5 Active Studio Monitors
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 18:27:01
(permalink)
rogeriodec
The Grim
i would use something like 'acronis true image' i have used it for a while now, never had an issue with it, works like a dream. it will do disk images (backup whole disk and/or partitions, or whatever folders/files you choose) i always just do complete drive images everytime, takes a bit more space, but hey, i back up my project files and other stuff manually to a couple of different locations regularly so if disaster strikes i haven't lost much and can be back up and running in 15/20 minutes.
Definitely Acronis True Image, is the most versatile and flexible backup system I have tested among many.
Here I do a disk backup (ISO) of all my hard drives to an external hard drive, via Acronis True Image; and for them not to get too big, I do Incremental Backups, maximum compression, also excluding some unnecessary files and folders, things that this software allows.
In case of a calamity, it is easy to recover everything.
And for the most important Sonar projects, I do an immediate backup via FreeFileSync, as I explained here.
Macrium Reflect Free is probably best for first timers, though. It can step you automatically through building your Windows PE rescue environment on bootable media (optical disk or thumb drive), with all the drivers you need to boot your system and restore a backup system image. The user guide is very complete and user friendly. It's one thing to make an image, but quite another to discover that you cannot restore it. I have heard of a few problems with Acronis in this regard. Maybe it was just pilot error, but Macrium makes the process relatively bulletproof. And it's free. http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspxWindows PE rescue environment improvementsIf additional drivers are required for disk or network access, they are now automatically identified and if possible copied from the host operating system.
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
The Grim
Max Output Level: -76 dBFS
- Total Posts : 724
- Joined: 2016/04/19 02:31:06
- Location: hades
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 18:54:04
(permalink)
restoring is easy, just select restore, point to the image, click, walk away for 15 minutes, come back to a fully functional machine.
i don't install acronis on my pc's, i just use the bootable disk to do everything, easy as.
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 20:35:44
(permalink)
The Grim
restoring is easy, just select restore, point to the image, click, walk away for 15 minutes, come back to a fully functional machine.
i don't install acronis on my pc's, i just use the bootable disk to do everything, easy as.
Acronis = $59.99 Macrium = Free Windows Image Backup (included with Windows 7+) = Free Does the same job ...
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
GLG
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 38
- Joined: 2013/11/17 05:50:28
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 21:21:09
(permalink)
Very sorry for your drama and your regretful experience. It has alerted me to the fact that, even though I'm very careful with emails/websites and run virus protection, when it comes to backups, I'm super lazy and under prepared with both the music computer and the house computer.
Thanks for the info @Blades re Crashplan. I shall download it for the house computer.
Cheers
Sonar Platinum / Win 7 64bit / Kingston Hyper 1600 16GB / System Drive Kingston SH100S3120G 128GB SSD / Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 / i72600 3.4Ghz / RME Fireface UC
|
The Grim
Max Output Level: -76 dBFS
- Total Posts : 724
- Joined: 2016/04/19 02:31:06
- Location: hades
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 22:26:16
(permalink)
abacab
The Grim
restoring is easy, just select restore, point to the image, click, walk away for 15 minutes, come back to a fully functional machine.
i don't install acronis on my pc's, i just use the bootable disk to do everything, easy as.
Acronis = $59.99
Macrium = Free
Windows Image Backup (included with Windows 7+) = Free
Does the same job ...
i'm quite happy to pay for peace of mind  the windows thing is hit and miss ( i wouldn't trust it myself) macrium free is crippled, but will still do somethings, you can do a basic image. i hope the old saying isn't true "you get what you pay for" unfortunately i often find it is whatever works i guess
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/01 23:36:25
(permalink)
The Grim
i'm quite happy to pay for peace of mind
the windows thing is hit and miss (i wouldn't trust it myself)
Based on what? I have used it for years and it always worked. Not talking about "backup", I am referring to the full image utility. Wouldn't recommend it to a first timer, it's more of a sysadmin type of thing. The Grim
macrium free is crippled, but will still do somethings, you can do a basic image.
It's not crippled. It's a top quality program, that you need to pay for to unlock some advanced features, most of which you would only ever use on a business network. Go take a look at their website for a feature comparison. The Grim
i hope the old saying isn't true "you get what you pay for" unfortunately i often find it is
False. There is a lot of quality freeware available, if you know where to look. But Macrium is well respected. If you feel better paying for a product you like, great! But it's not the only solution. The Grim
whatever works i guess
True!
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
chuckebaby
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 13146
- Joined: 2011/01/04 14:55:28
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 06:36:29
(permalink)
Windows still does imaging doesn't it ?
I never used a back up software. I always used Microsoft Windows Image back up.
Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64 Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GBFocusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
|
rogeriodec
Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
- Total Posts : 753
- Joined: 2004/04/09 13:55:04
- Location: Brazil
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 07:45:52
(permalink)
abacab
Acronis = $59.99
Macrium = Free
Windows Image Backup (included with Windows 7+) = Free
Does the same job ...
Well, I downloaded and tested this Macrium Reflect Free, and it has some limitations regarding Acronis. The main limitation (and the limitation I've seen in most other software) is that it DOES NOT ALLOW TO EXCLUDE FOLDERS AND FILES when creating a Disk Image. This, at least for me, is mandatory, since I have several temporary folders and files that do not need to be copied, which in turn occupy a very large space and make the backup unnecessarily large.
rogeriodec.com.br* Cakewalk By Bandlabs (always lastest versions), Window 10 x64* Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface* Intel i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00 GHz / ASROCK EXTREME 4 Z97 Mobo* 2 SSD Samsung Evo 250 Gb (RAID-0) + 1 Western Digital 2 Tb + 1 Seagate 1 Tb* Onboard video / 16 Gb RAM HyperX Fury 1600 Mhz* 3 LCD Monitors* Axiom 61 MIDI Controller, Tapco S5 Active Studio Monitors
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 09:56:25
(permalink)
rogeriodec
abacab
Acronis = $59.99
Macrium = Free
Windows Image Backup (included with Windows 7+) = Free
Does the same job ...
Well, I downloaded and tested this Macrium Reflect Free, and it has some limitations regarding Acronis.
The main limitation (and the limitation I've seen in most other software) is that it DOES NOT ALLOW TO EXCLUDE FOLDERS AND FILES when creating a Disk Image.
This, at least for me, is mandatory, since I have several temporary folders and files that do not need to be copied, which in turn occupy a very large space and make the backup unnecessarily large.
"The main limitation (and the limitation I've seen in most other software) is that it DOES NOT ALLOW TO EXCLUDE FOLDERS AND FILES when creating a Disk Image." Then with all due respect, I guess you do not quite understand that a disk image is not intended to a be file/folder backup. Just google "What is a Disk Image Backup?", or "What is a File-Level Backup?". You should use both. A disk "image" is just exactly that. A copy of all in-use sectors of the source partitions is written to a image file on the target drive just as they are on the date/time the image is taken. When you restore an image, it places the identical replica of the data you originally had at that date/time back onto the disk volume, exactly where it was. Including the boot sector. It is best used for only the boot/system partition, and all of the partitions on the C: drive, including the recovery partition, etc. When you have an "image" of your system, you can restore it and be back up and running again in minutes, rather than days. There are other tools better suited for backing up data in files/folders, such as your documents and project files. But they are backup software, not imaging software. I have never had any luck using backup programs for my boot/system drive. But use whatever software you prefer for backing up important data files, and keep copies on offline disks, in the cloud, wherever! Just FYI, you can run CCleaner, or even Windows disk cleanup, prior to taking an image to remove temp files and help make the image file smaller. Try this free utility to see what is filling up your disk space. It's an explorer tree that shows how much data is held in each folder on your hard drive. You can use it as a guide to trim wasted disk space. A lot of folks that use imaging try to keep their C: drive slim for this reason. Makes imaging faster. https://windirstat.net/
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
rogeriodec
Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
- Total Posts : 753
- Joined: 2004/04/09 13:55:04
- Location: Brazil
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 10:16:31
(permalink)
Thank you for your explanation.
I really understand what a disk image is, even though I have been working with IT for 34 years.
I just quoted that I keep some folders and files in my HD for sheer convenience, because if by any chance I lose them, I can easily retrieve them from the cloud and other sources. But while they're on my hard drive, they're not bothering me.
But at the same time I want to have a fast, efficient and space-saving disk image.
In this way, I add these unwanted folders and files in the Acronis True Image exclusion list.
So in the event of a disaster, I'll be able to quickly recover my full HD (Windows, MBR, etc), and I will not miss much of the files and folders I've added on the exclusion list.
rogeriodec.com.br* Cakewalk By Bandlabs (always lastest versions), Window 10 x64* Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface* Intel i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00 GHz / ASROCK EXTREME 4 Z97 Mobo* 2 SSD Samsung Evo 250 Gb (RAID-0) + 1 Western Digital 2 Tb + 1 Seagate 1 Tb* Onboard video / 16 Gb RAM HyperX Fury 1600 Mhz* 3 LCD Monitors* Axiom 61 MIDI Controller, Tapco S5 Active Studio Monitors
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 10:35:45
(permalink)
rogeriodec
Thank you for your explanation.
I really understand what a disk image is, even though I have been working with IT for 34 years.
I just quoted that I keep some folders and files in my HD for sheer convenience, because if by any chance I lose them, I can easily retrieve them from the cloud and other sources. But while they're on my hard drive, they're not bothering me.
But at the same time I want to have a fast, efficient and space-saving disk image.
In this way, I add these unwanted folders and files in the Acronis True Image exclusion list.
So in the event of a disaster, I'll be able to quickly recover my full HD (Windows, MBR, etc), and I will not miss much of the files and folders I've added on the exclusion list.
OK, I gotcha! Then it's worth it to you to have the extra features of a "premium" software.  Most folks don't need that, especially first timers. For them just getting started with the basics is all that they need. Compared to nothing at all, that's a big needed leap! Keeping it simple is the best way to avoid mistakes, especially while climbing the learning curve. As you become a more advanced user, you can always re-evaluate needs. I also test the restore to make sure that it works. Have you tried that yet?
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
jadonx
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
- Total Posts : 102
- Joined: 2009/03/18 05:50:41
- Location: North Yorkshire, England
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 12:02:43
(permalink)
Windows 10 64bit Sonar platinum(rolling updates..latest version) Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2nd gen Yamaha HS5 monitors Laptop Intel i7 12GB ram Guitars(elec/acoustic 6/12 string),keyboards(Yamaha p115,oxygen49),harmonica,bass hobbyist
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 12:16:17
(permalink)
The main point is to just pick an image method, and get it rolling. Once you do, your fear of broken updates and malware will ease up. Knowing that you can roll back your boot drive at any time ... priceless!!!  I take a fresh image at least before every Windows and/or Sonar update. Or any other driver change, or other major change to the system.
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
Blades
Max Output Level: -43 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3246
- Joined: 2003/11/06 08:22:52
- Location: Georgia
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 20:30:05
(permalink)
There are fundamental differences between data file backups and disk image backups. Either one is probably fine for the purpose of backing up a disk of Sonar projects and either one, done with something like Acronis/Marcrium or a system like Crashplan will protect that backup from being molested by ransomware.
If you have more than JUST data on that drive, then a data file backup might be a better solution. If you only have data on the drive, then an image backup will be largely the same thing as long as the image file backup will allow you to do a restore of the files within and not just a restore of the entire image.
It seems that Macrium will allow you to do individual file/folder restores as well as a full image restore, but not in the FREE version - only in Home and above ($70). In the free version, you will have to restore the whole disk image, even if only a few files are messed up or even accidentally deleted. Also - I'm not sure how the protection of Macrium would apply, since the AES encryption is also not available in the free version, so while it might be a compressed image, it's not encrypted - if that's important to you.
The bottom line is that you need to use a system that will not be compromised by whatever problem may cause you to need to restore the files. For example, does your backup do versioning? Does each backup just overwrite the last copy? What if you don't notice the issue for a week and then have to go back to the versions of files from 8 days ago - can your solution handle that? I know that I personally don't use my system for recording as often as I want to and if it were compromised several days ago and I only had a backup that overwrote the image every night, I'd be as screwed as if I had no backup at all.
Just think the process through and what you need from it when you making your decision.
Hope this helps.
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/02 22:00:33
(permalink)
Blades
There are fundamental differences between data file backups and disk image backups. Either one is probably fine for the purpose of backing up a disk of Sonar projects and either one, done with something like Acronis/Marcrium or a system like Crashplan will protect that backup from being molested by ransomware.
If you have more than JUST data on that drive, then a data file backup might be a better solution. If you only have data on the drive, then an image backup will be largely the same thing as long as the image file backup will allow you to do a restore of the files within and not just a restore of the entire image.
It seems that Macrium will allow you to do individual file/folder restores as well as a full image restore, but not in the FREE version - only in Home and above ($70). In the free version, you will have to restore the whole disk image, even if only a few files are messed up or even accidentally deleted. Also - I'm not sure how the protection of Macrium would apply, since the AES encryption is also not available in the free version, so while it might be a compressed image, it's not encrypted - if that's important to you.
The bottom line is that you need to use a system that will not be compromised by whatever problem may cause you to need to restore the files. For example, does your backup do versioning? Does each backup just overwrite the last copy? What if you don't notice the issue for a week and then have to go back to the versions of files from 8 days ago - can your solution handle that? I know that I personally don't use my system for recording as often as I want to and if it were compromised several days ago and I only had a backup that overwrote the image every night, I'd be as screwed as if I had no backup at all.
Just think the process through and what you need from it when you making your decision.
Hope this helps.
The ability to restore the entire disk image is a great feature, not a limitation! Individual file/folder restores is not the intent of a disk image plan. Restoring the system drive to a previous state is the main objective. Anything else is in the domain of a file/folder based backup plan. A complete boot drive system image recovery is all you need to get your system back up and running in the event of a system disk crash or corruption. You can make the backup process as complex as you wish, but it is not necessary. But even so, the included Windows system image backup utility writes to a VHD format file, which can then be attached in Windows Disk Management, assigned a drive letter, and the folder/files can be browsed and copied as desired. Drag n drop But there are programs that can make this process easier if you wish
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
Blades
Max Output Level: -43 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3246
- Joined: 2003/11/06 08:22:52
- Location: Georgia
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/03 22:08:07
(permalink)
Again - it all boils down to what your purpose is and how much flexibility you want. Sometimes a complete image restore is the best option and sometimes it's complete overkill.
Here's an example:
I had a disk image that was taken Friday. I worked on three songs over the course of the weekend and did some really great stuff on two of them, but on the third, I completely wrecked the whole thing. No - I don't just mean that I had some bad takes, I mean that I completely deleted all of the audio in the song.
If I have a disk image and I want to restore and I don't have the option of individual files/folders, I have to make copies of all the stuff I want to keep, restore the disk image, then put back all of the stuff I wanted to keep. With a folder/file backup, you could choose to restore JUST the stuff that you messed up, without having to worry about overwriting all of the GOOD work you did.
Another example - I have recorded a huge number of vocal tracks on a track. I have backed up on Friday and Saturday, then overwrote my files on Sunday. I want to go back to certain copies of the things I overwrote, but don't want to replace ALL of the files. A folder/file backup will allow for this.
On the flip side: I have an image backup of a c: drive operating system. I have an issue with a new application or driver that I install and my OS no longer boots. A file backup in a case like this is next to useless. A disk boot image, however can me back up and running in almost no time with very little loss and probably no impact on my data files.
Another example: I have a drive image file and my disk just completely dies. I have a disk image backup and I have a folder/file backup. Which one do I use? Could really go either way here, as either one, for a data drive, would get back files, so pick the one that is the most recent, the most complete, or the program that you are most comfortable with to do the restore.
The point is that there is no ONE answer to backups. I have a pretty solid philosophy that if you only have one backup (local, remote, one type or another) you have no backup. And if you don't periodically test that your backup is sound and restorable, you also have no backups.
Know what your purpose is. Know where your backups are. Know what your plan will be to restore your folders/files/images.
Clear?
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/03 22:24:28
(permalink)
That's why you need both an image and a file/folder backup plan. Separate solutions for each would be recommended!
Then you are covered for anything that comes up. But trying to combine both functions into one solution is a crapshoot.
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
rogeriodec
Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
- Total Posts : 753
- Joined: 2004/04/09 13:55:04
- Location: Brazil
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/04 09:14:33
(permalink)
abacab
That's why you need both an image and a file/folder backup plan. Separate solutions for each would be recommended!
Then you are covered for anything that comes up. But trying to combine both functions into one solution is a crapshoot.
Exactly. That's why, here, I use an ISO disk backup (in my case via Acronis), daily; But for my Sonar projects, I do an instant backup (every time the project is saved or any file inside the project folders is created or modified) via FTP using FreeFileSync.
rogeriodec.com.br* Cakewalk By Bandlabs (always lastest versions), Window 10 x64* Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface* Intel i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00 GHz / ASROCK EXTREME 4 Z97 Mobo* 2 SSD Samsung Evo 250 Gb (RAID-0) + 1 Western Digital 2 Tb + 1 Seagate 1 Tb* Onboard video / 16 Gb RAM HyperX Fury 1600 Mhz* 3 LCD Monitors* Axiom 61 MIDI Controller, Tapco S5 Active Studio Monitors
|
gunboatdiplomacy
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
- Total Posts : 87
- Joined: 2012/11/23 10:24:11
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/04 14:08:46
(permalink)
liberty
I was attacked by some variant of the Cryptolocker virus.
This virus encrypts your files and requests a payment in Bitcoins to deliver the encryption key.
In my case it encrypted all my .cwp and .nff files (melodyne files).
I was able to recover some projects that Sonar saved automatically.
I suspect that the virus entered my PC through a USB stick or a removable disk.
I keep trying to find some tool that solves my problem because there are no guarantees that by paying the ransom receive the key.
my business got hit with one. but since we have two separate off-site backups (one connected, one unconnected), we were up and running after a day of downtime. i never use thumbdrives, only online storage. Despite having a hundred projects, I'd just let them have my HDD and start fresh. Who is to say they won't take your money and leave you with nothing?
|
tlw
Max Output Level: -49.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2567
- Joined: 2008/10/11 22:06:32
- Location: West Midlands, UK
- Status: offline
Re: WARNING VIRUS CRYPTOLOCKER!! I LOS ALL MY SONAR PROJECTS
2017/01/04 19:31:40
(permalink)
gunboatdiplomacy
Who is to say they won't take your money and leave you with nothing?
From what I've heard/read they rarely leave you with nothing. Even if they decrypt your drives they usually don't remove the interesting collection of root-kits, key-loggers, remotely controlled email servers, worm servers, port scanners, hidden ftp servers and other exciting stuff of use to an enterprising modern criminal they've installed on your system.
Sonar Platinum 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit, I7 3770K Ivybridge, 16GB Ram, Gigabyte Z77-D3H m/board, ATI 7750 graphics+ 1GB RAM, 2xIntel 520 series 220GB SSDs, 1 TB Samsung F3 + 1 TB WD HDDs, Seasonic fanless 460W psu, RME Fireface UFX, Focusrite Octopre. Assorted real synths, guitars, mandolins, diatonic accordions, percussion, fx and other stuff.
|