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Isolating external HDD after backup from N102
I have an external HDD connected by usb to my ReadyNAS RN102, running firmware 6.9.3
I run a full backup of everything off the N102 to the external drive.
I then want to isolate the external drive to prevent any future possible malware attacks (e.g. ransomware) seeing the drive.
I have set the final backup job to eject the external drive once it completes. The external drive is still connected via the usb cable but it doesn't appear on the admin screen.
My question is: Does the ejection isolate the external drive completely from any outside attack or should i physically pull the usb cable? Would powering down the external drive be equivalent to pulling the cable out?
Any advice gratefully received.
Hi Protem
Welcome to the Community!
The USB drive being ejected after the backup completes is for safety, It prevents any possibility of file corruption on your data.
Ejecting the drive safely before removal is always recommended, This is to make sure that no activity or action is taking place when you remove your USB Drive.
IMO, Ejecting and unplugging the drive after use is a better practice of protecting what is inside your drive.
Hope this helps!
Regards
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Hi Protem
Welcome to the Community!
The USB drive being ejected after the backup completes is for safety, It prevents any possibility of file corruption on your data.
Ejecting the drive safely before removal is always recommended, This is to make sure that no activity or action is taking place when you remove your USB Drive.
IMO, Ejecting and unplugging the drive after use is a better practice of protecting what is inside your drive.
Hope this helps!
Regards
Hi Marc_V
THanks for your quick response. Yes, i am aware of the need to eject to flush cache etc. My issue is, having pressed Eject so that the device no longer appears on the web admin screen, would there be any possibility that malware or other agent could access the external drive whilst it was still powered on but not visible to the Netgear interface?
Hi Protem
If USB is inactive or ejected there shouldn't be any way that it can be accessed by a Malware or any software thru the GUI/Admin page or your system. However, if the attacker is knowledgeable enough to attack the System they might find a way to enable the connection on your USB drive. It will still be better to take it off the Unit.
Regards
Thanks Marc_V
Those are my thoughts too but it's good to have confirmation.
I will pull out the usb after i've ejected the drive. It is only required to be online for occasional full backup of the entire NAS content.
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