Should I use Time Machine to back up external drives?

[MacBH928]

Have you checked out Arq and the encryption approach? Do you think it is inadequate in some way?

I guess you could call Arq end-to-end encryption if you consider yourself to be both ends. People refer to Arq file storage as TNO (trust no one) storage; only you have the keys. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_no_one_(Internet_security)

I suspect ProtonDrive will do something similar.

I use Arq to back up to Dropbox, OneDrive. Both Dropbox and OneDrive are not perfectly safe since those companies can get at the files. However, the files that Arq puts there are completely encrypted; even the file names are not visible. Arq has a solid reputation among security conscious people, and has so for years.

I am not very literate when it comes to encryption, I believe Proton calls this Zero Access Encryption. So is Arq software that encrypts your files before uploading it to a cloud service or is it a backup cloud service in itself?

You can use Cryptomator to secure any folder(s) in cloud. There is no way someone can see file names much less read the files, unless they know the security key.

Can it encrypt files too? does it do new whole encryption to each file before it uploads? How long does that takes? Aren't you an Arq user too?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am not very literate when it comes to encryption, I believe Proton calls this Zero Access Encryption. So is Arq software that encrypts your files before uploading it to a cloud service or is it a backup cloud service in itself?



Can it encrypt files too? does it do new whole encryption to each file before it uploads? How long does that takes? Aren't you an Arq user too?

Yes, I regularly use Arq.

Cryptomator is fast. There is no real delay in the encryption process. You can read the information for yourself.

Cryptomator - Free & Open-Source Cloud Storage Encryption

Cryptomator is an open-source encryption tool for secure cloud storage. Protect your privacy for free on Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more.

cryptomator.org

 

[svenmany]

I am not very literate when it comes to encryption, I believe Proton calls this Zero Access Encryption. So is Arq software that encrypts your files before uploading it to a cloud service or is it a backup cloud service in itself?

Arq does sell a full cloud service solution; I don't use that. I just bought their software and use it to upload to separate cloud services.

 

[317342]

I do but only for one drive. No issues.