HT202380: Time Machine: How to transfer backups from a current backup drive to a new backup drive

Learn about Time Machine: How to transfer backups from a current backup drive to a new backup drive
dwhewlings
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: copy (not move) time machine backup to separate drive

I use Time Machine to back up three Macs to a Time Capsule. Because the Macs and the TC are always connected to the network, I suspect that the TC and its TM backups would be vulnerable in the event of a ransomware attack. So I'd like to routinely back up the backups to a separate drive that would stay disconnected from the network except during the copy operation. Two questions: (1) Am I correct that the TC would be vulnerable to a ransomware attack? (2) If yes, can I simply use the copy technique described in this "how to transfer backups" support article and just skip the last step about redirecting TM to the new drive? Thanks for your help.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on May 27, 2016 8:02 AM

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dwhewlings

Q: copy (not move) time machine backup to separate drive

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  • by Duane,

    Duane Duane May 27, 2016 9:16 AM in response to dwhewlings
    Level 10 (124,018 points)
    May 27, 2016 9:16 AM in response to dwhewlings

    Even if you use just a small amount of common sense you should be able to avoid ransomware.

     

    Instead of making a copy of your current TM, just add this other disk for TM to use as a backup. Then, when the other disk is connected, TM will alternate between your TC and this other disk for TM backups.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root May 27, 2016 9:20 AM in response to dwhewlings
    Level 9 (70,250 points)
    iTunes
    May 27, 2016 9:20 AM in response to dwhewlings

    If you had a ransomware attack that locked up your entire computer, you wouldn't be able to access the backups from the computer, but I doubt that the attack would directly affect Time Machine if accessed from another computer.

     

    You can try a Finder copy, but it will sometimes fail. Try using Disk Utility/Restore to copy the backups to a new location. Please note that this will reformat the destination partition.

  • by Duane,

    Duane Duane May 27, 2016 9:47 AM in response to dwhewlings
    Level 10 (124,018 points)
    May 27, 2016 9:47 AM in response to dwhewlings

    Some advice and warnings about making another copy of your TM -> http://pondini.org/TM/18.html