E-records, EMP?

[crinkles]

Just in the process (a few years into it) of storing only e records.

I use TIme machine to backup to an external HDD. I have two external HDD's, and rotate them weekly. That way I have an offsite backup that is between 0 and 7 days old, and an on site backup that does the Time Machine Schedule (minimum daily over last 7 days).

WHen I get a letter nowadays I scan (Scansnap) to searchable PDF and shred the letter. This goes for everything such as share holding statements, tax records, etc. All my tax is done electronically also (e-tax) with e records.

Same goes for photos over the last 10 years.

Makes me a bit nervous that when a solar flare or EMP happens my history, financial records, proof of ownership, can be wiped out. Should I get a 3rd external HDD and store inside a metal box as a faraday cage?

only things I keep paper records of are those which I need to on sell, like a car or rifle records that have notices of disposal attached.

 

[Blueskies123]

A much bigger risk is that 20 years from now you will not have anything to read those e-records. I can remember 5 and quarter inch floppy drives. 20 years from now terabytes of information will be stored in tiny little cubes made of crystals or maybe something even more exotic. What will you attach the external HDD to in 20 years. Have you looked for a serial or parallel port on new computers. Will we even have computers in 20 years or will be all be wearing Google glasses and **** Tracey watches.
I hate to say it but you should probably print out your most valuable documents on non acidic paper and ink and store them away in a heat proof safe.

 

[dja4260]

EMP is unavoidable unless you're willing to get heavy into shielding.

Good luck!