The best backup is to ensure you have a clean system, back up to an external drive and REMOVE the drive from your system. Another option would be a backup service (I use Acronis) that uses versioning in the cloud. That way you could go back to a previous version if an encrypted file was backed up. I do both.
Great advice. I do a backup to an external about once a week and disconnect right afterwards. I also have cloud backups to Carbonite. They tell me they do versioning so theoretically you can recover your files.
Also, it probably is a good idea for Windows users to keep current with all Windows updates. Microsoft is constantly releasing updates to fill security holes (once they created in the first place, LOL!)
my two cents…. One machine per (major) task – always. keeps it simple, predictable and reliable. My office machines are now now 75% Linux but still have 5 windows boxes in the studio – none of which have an internet connection.
Until recently, I’ve always kept my DAW “internet free”. I disable the motherboards network connector in the BIOS and never plug it in, relying on “sneaker net” to transfer files and make updates. That’s become impossible now. Most modern software requires an internet connection. So I recently bought a USB wireless network adapter. I plug it in only to make a quick software update or program download, and remove it as soon as practical.