Encrypting backup disk

Discussion in 'Mac OS X Lion (10.7)' started by sebseb81, Aug 12, 2011.

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  1. sebseb81, Aug 12, 2011

    sebseb81 macrumors member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2010
    #1
    Hello all,

    Question: if I select the "Encrypt Backup Disk" during the Time Machine setup dialog, will this mean that no other computer will be able to use the backup disk?

    Secondly, if I use FileVault with Time Machine, is there any point in selecting this option? Won't be the Time Machine backups be encrypted? (I wouldn't really care if other data on the external backup disk is not encrypted).

    Thanks for your help.
     
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  2. basher, Aug 12, 2011

    basher macrumors 6502

    basher

    Joined:
    May 27, 2011
    Location:
    Glendale, AZ USA
    #2
    If you encrypt your backup it will only be readable by another Lion Mac after entering the password that was used to encrypt the drive.

    Not totally sure on your second question, but I would venture a guess that if the external drive was encrypted before the first backup, it would negate the need to encrypt with time machine.

    Maybe someone with first hand experience can answer your second question.
     
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  3. sebseb81, Aug 12, 2011

    sebseb81 thread starter macrumors member

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    Dec 12, 2010
    #3
    basher,

    Thanks for your response. I'm glad to know that another computer could use that backup disk, but I guess I won't encrypt it until everyone who would use it is on Lion.

    Sorry about the confusion with the second question. What I meant was: if I'm already using FileVault and then start to use Time Machine, does it even matter whether I select "Encrypt Backup Disk" since my hard drive is already encrypted with FileVault? Won't those TM backups already be encrypted?
     
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