Norton Backup encryption backing up to an external Hard drive

My understanding is Norton backups are encrypted. I just want to understand how this "works." WHERE is the key to decrypting the files stored? Let's say I have backed up my C: drive using Norton 360 to an external HDD (call it D:) and the C: drive completely fails. Can I install a new hard drive and use ANOTHER copy of Norton 360 to restore my files from D:? If so, this isn't very secure since presumably anybody who gets ahold of my external drive could decrypt my files using any copy of Norton 360.

 

However if the encryption key is stored on the C: drive and the C: drive fails, I won't be able to decrypt my backed-up files!

 

Please someone explain how this works? I have successfully restored files from a Norton 360 backup but it's always been restoring back to the computer disk from which the files were originally backed up.

 

 

Hi,

An 'exact' explanation might involve trade secrets so I don't know that much about the process. Your identification with Norton as well as information from your system provide the stuff from which the key is made. It is reconstructed for each transfer.

So long as you are doing the restoring back to your system there should be no problem.

Keep us posted

Arbiter,

 

You might like to have a read of the following thread;

 

http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-360/Encryption-Norton-360-2013-Question-Help-getting-clarity-about/m-p/964093#M91499

 

And also this thread;

 

http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-360/Norton-360-Backup-encryption-keys-for-CD-DVD-flash-drive-and/td-p/669177

Hi,

An 'exact' explanation might involve trade secrets so I don't know that much about the process. Your identification with Norton as well as information from your system provide the stuff from which the key is made. It is reconstructed for each transfer.

So long as you are doing the restoring back to your system there should be no problem.

Keep us posted

Arbiter,

 

You might like to have a read of the following thread;

 

http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-360/Encryption-Norton-360-2013-Question-Help-getting-clarity-about/m-p/964093#M91499

 

And also this thread;

 

http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-360/Norton-360-Backup-encryption-keys-for-CD-DVD-flash-drive-and/td-p/669177