uses for an external hard drive because it not only enhances your storage capabilities, but it also offers a secure method to store your backups. You could upload them to the cloud, which may be safer in certain respects, but you wouldn’t be able to access them without internet connectivity. Additionally, an external hard drive can be removed from your computer and securely stored away from the device it’s used with. Therefore, while it can remain plugged in continuously, a significant reason some experts advise against this is due to the heightened risk of a malware attack — particularly, the data-encrypting type known as ransomware.
However, even though ransomware presents a genuine threat for a hard drive that remains connected at all times, it is probably a lesser concern compared to the dangers linked with disconnecting the hard drive. Moreover, there are numerous actions you can take to substantially lower the already minor risk of keeping the drive connected. At the same time, there’s an even more compelling reason to avoid developing the habit of detaching the drive from your computer — the frequent plugging and unplugging is not a viable long-term backup strategy. Eventually, you could find yourself without a recent backup, which is not a situation you wish to encounter, particularly in an emergency.