Air Gap
What is Air Gap?
A backup that is physically disconnected from the network — no cable, no Wi-Fi, no connection. The ultimate protection against ransomware.
Why Air Gap Matters
If it's connected, it can be encrypted. An air-gapped backup sits offline, safe from network attacks. It's the nuclear option — inconvenient to update, but impossible to hack remotely.
Related Topics
Related Terms
Immutable Backup
Backups that cannot be altered or deleted — even by ransomware or a compromised admin account. Write once, read many, change never.
BackupRansomware
Malware that encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. It spreads through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised remote access. Paying doesn't guarantee you'll get your files back — and marks you as a target for repeat attacks.
SecurityBackup (the 3-2-1 rule)
A copy of your files stored somewhere else, so a dead computer doesn't mean dead data. The 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy stored off-site — so a single fire, flood, or ransomware attack can't destroy everything.
Backup