What is an external hard drive?
An external hard drive is a portable storage device that plugs into a computer, usually via USB or FireWire ports (Techopedia, “https://www.techopedia.com/definition/2940/external-hard-drive”). It allows users to expand beyond the storage capacity of the internal hard drive and store or back up files such as photos, videos, music, documents, and other data.
External hard drives contain one or more internal hard disks similar to the ones found in desktop and laptop computers, with platters inside that spin to read and write data using magnetic heads (Illinois Wesleyan, “https://www.iwu.edu/information-technology-services/basic-services/tutorials/externalhdd.html”). But these hard disks are enclosed in portable and sometimes rugged enclosures for protection and mobility.
Compared to flash drives which use flash memory, external hard drives have much higher capacities. A typical external hard drive today ranges from 500GB to 10TB, while most USB flash drives are less than 256GB. The large capacity makes them ideal for backing up entire computer systems or storing large media libraries and archives.
External hard drives provide some major benefits that make them a popular storage solution. Here are some of the top reasons people use external hard drives:
Why do people use external hard drives?
Extra storage for large files like photos, videos, music, etc. – The main appeal of external hard drives is to provide additional storage capacity beyond the limited internal drive in computers and laptops. External drives excel at storing media files, backups, and other large data sets that can quickly fill up a computer’s internal drive.
Backup important data as a redundancy – External drives are commonly used to create backups of critical data as a failsafe against data loss. Having an external backup allows users to restore lost or corrupted files if something happens to the primary storage location.
Transport or transfer large amounts of data. – The portability of external hard drives makes them handy for physically moving data from one location to another. For example, creative professionals working with large media assets can easily transport projects and files between home and work.
How could an external hard drive get hacked?
There are a few ways that an external hard drive connected to your computer could potentially get hacked or compromised:
Malware or ransomware infection that spreads from computer – Malicious programs like viruses, spyware or ransomware that infect your computer could spread to the external drive when it’s connected. This is especially risky if you keep the external drive plugged in all the time. The malware could lock or encrypt files on the drive or secretly copy data off it (source).
Unsecured public WiFi snooping on connection – If you access files on your external drive over unsecured public WiFi, a hacker could potentially intercept the connection and access or steal data. Always use a VPN when connecting to public networks.
Physical access allows data theft or manipulation – If someone gets physical access to your drive, they could plug it into their own device and access your data. Or they could install malware directly onto the drive itself. Always keep your drive secure and locked up when not in use.
Best practices to secure your external hard drive
To help keep your external hard drive and data secure, there are a few best practices you should follow:
Encrypt the drive and secure it with a strong password. Encryption protects the data on your drive by scrambling it so that it can only be accessed with the password. Encryption options like BitLocker on Windows (source) and FileVault on Mac allow you to encrypt external drives.
Disconnect the external hard drive from your computer when you are not using it. This prevents malware or intruders from being able to access the drive when it is connected. Physically disconnecting it removes access to the data.
Be careful when connecting to public WiFi connections. Public WiFis can make your device and any connected drives vulnerable to hacking. Avoid accessing sensitive data or connecting external drives when on unsecured public networks (source).
Signs your external hard drive may be hacked
There are a few warning signs that indicate your external hard drive may have been compromised by hackers:
Increased activity light when not in use – If the activity light on your external drive is flashing when you’re not actively reading or writing data, it could mean someone is accessing your drive remotely.
Missing or corrupted files – Unauthorized access can lead to files being deleted, altered, or encrypted by malware. So unexplained missing or corrupted data may be a red flag.
Slow computer performance when connected – If your computer slows down significantly or freezes when your external drive is plugged in, it could signify that malware on the drive is interfering with normal system processes.
According to an article on GopherMods, another sign is frequent computer freezing, especially when switching between tabs or opening multiple files [1]. This sluggish performance may indicate problems with the external hard drive.
Noticing these unusual behaviors can help you identify and address a potential security breach before more serious damage is done.
What to do if you suspect your drive is hacked
If you have any suspicion that your external hard drive may have been hacked or compromised, it is important to take action right away to secure your data and computer. Here are the key steps to take:
First, disconnect the external hard drive from your computer immediately. This severs the connection hackers may have to your drive and computer. Physically unplug the drive from its USB port or external enclosure. Do not just eject the drive in your OS, as this may not fully disconnect it.
Next, you’ll want to scan your computer for malware or viruses. Hackers often install malware to maintain access or steal data from a system. Use reputable antivirus software like Malwarebytes or Windows Defender to scan every drive on your system.
Unfortunately, you should consider any data on the compromised external drive to be lost and not trustworthy. The safest course of action is to completely format the external hard drive to wipe it clean. This removes any malware or backdoors. Be sure to backup any important data from the drive first, if possible.
Formatting the drive also allows you to do a full reset of the security on that drive. You can then change passwords, encryption keys, etc. to re-secure the drive for future use once formatted.
Hacking an external drive is often part of a larger attack. So be sure to also change passwords on accounts, update software, and take other steps to fully remove hackers from your digital life.
Recovering data from a hacked external drive
If your external hard drive has been hacked, the first step is to scan for and attempt to remove any malware before trying to access your data. Tools like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can help detect and quarantine malware (source).
Once malware is removed, you may be able to access your files again normally through your operating system. However, if data was encrypted or deleted by malware, you’ll need data recovery software or services.
Data recovery software like Wondershare Recoverit (source) can scan your external hard drive and recover deleted, corrupted, or encrypted files. Recovery services may also offer more advanced capabilities for severely damaged drives.
Keep in mind that while recovering data is possible, it doesn’t guarantee recovering all files intact. The sooner you act, the better the chances. Once malware is removed, avoid further modifying or saving data to your external hard drive to avoid overwriting files.
If recovery efforts don’t fully restore your data, you’ll likely need to reformat your external hard drive to completely remove malware before using it again. Be sure to backup any recovered files first.
Alternatives to expand storage securely
While external hard drives can provide a lot of affordable storage space, there are more secure ways to expand your storage capacity if you are concerned about hacking risks. Some alternatives to consider include:
Cloud storage services
Cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and iCloud provide secure online storage accessible from any device. Files are encrypted and you can enable two-factor authentication for added security. Cloud storage gives you expandable capacity without physical hardware vulnerabilities. According to the PCMag article referenced earlier, cloud storage is a great option for those needing unlimited space without purchasing more physical drives.
Internal hard drives
Adding an internal hard drive instead of an external one can reduce risks since the drive is physically inside your computer instead of connecting externally. Make sure to encrypt the internal drive for optimal security. Internal drives also typically have faster speeds than external ones.
Solid state drives
Solid state drives with no moving parts are more durable and secure than traditional disk-based hard drives. Top SSD options recommended in the Wired article include Samsung’s Portable SSD T7 and WD’s My Passport SSD for reliable portable solid state storage. SSDs are resistant to drops, shakes, and extreme temps.
Secure USB flash drives
Secure USB flash drives like the iStorage datAshur can provide encrypted external storage in a small, convenient form factor. They offer encryption, pin access, and self-destruct features for added security, though capacities are lower than traditional external hard drives.
Summary
External hard drives provide a convenient way to expand your computer’s storage capacity. However, like any device connected to your computer, external drives are potentially vulnerable to hacking.
The good news is that the risk of an external drive getting hacked is relatively low, especially for typical home users. Following best practices like setting a strong password and enabling encryption can greatly reduce the odds. The data on your external drive is most likely secure as long as you take reasonable precautions.
If you do suspect your external hard drive has been compromised, act quickly. Disconnect it from your computer and scan it with antivirus software. You may be able to recover your data using backup files or a recovery program. Just don’t lose hope, as solutions often exist if a hack does occur.
Overall, external hard drives remain a safe way to add storage and backup your important files. By understanding the risks and taking steps to secure your drive, you can confidently rely on this convenient technology.
References
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