Knowledge Base: Free Backup Software with Encryption and Support for SMB, SFTP, SSH, or Rsync Protocols

Below is a list of free backup software that supports data encryption and is compatible with transfer protocols such as SMB, SFTP, SSH, or Rsync. Additionally, SafeBox Utixo is included as a backup destination.

1. Duplicati

• Description: Open-source software for secure and compressed backups.
• Main Features:
  • AES-256 encryption for data protection.
  • Supports protocols such as SMB, SFTP, SSH, and WebDAV.
  • Backup to cloud (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox), local/remote storage, and SafeBox Utixo.
• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Official Site: https://www.duplicati.com/

2. BorgBackup

• Description: Command-line backup tool designed for efficiency and security.
• Main Features:
  • Compression and deduplication.
  • Built-in encryption (AES-256).
  • Data transfer via SSH.
  • Rsync support through custom wrappers.
• Compatibility: Linux, macOS (can be used on Windows via WSL or Cygwin).
• Official Site: https://www.borgbackup.org/

3. Restic

• Description: Modern backup solution with native encryption.
• Main Features:
  • Uses AES-256 encryption and HMAC-SHA256.
  • Supports SFTP, Rsync, and cloud or local storage.
  • High speed and efficient version management.
• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Official Site: https://restic.net/

4. Rsync

• Description: Powerful and flexible tool for synchronization and backup.
• Main Features:
  • Supports encryption via SSH.
  • Ideal for incremental transfers.
  • Widely used for remote backups.
• Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows (via Cygwin or WSL).
• Note: Rsync does not natively encrypt files but can be combined with tools like OpenSSL or GPG for data protection.
• Official Site: https://rsync.samba.org/

5. FreeFileSync

• Description: Free software for file synchronization and backup.
• Main Features:
  • No native encryption, but supports secure transfers via SFTP.
  • Bidirectional or unidirectional synchronization.
  • Compatible with SMB and network protocols.
• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Official Site: https://freefilesync.org/

6. rclone

• Description: Tool for backup and synchronization in cloud and local environments.
• Main Features:
  • Supports data encryption.
  • Compatible with SFTP, SMB, and SSH protocols.
  • Wide support for cloud services and SafeBox Utixo.
• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Official Site: https://rclone.org/

7. Cobian Backup

• Description: Reliable backup software with a user-friendly interface.
• Main Features:
  • Supports FTP and encryption (AES-256).
  • Ideal for local and remote backups via FTP.
• Compatibility: Windows.
• Official Site: https://www.cobiansoft.com/

8. Iperius Backup

• Description: Lightweight and powerful backup solution with SFTP support.
• Main Features:
  • AES-256 encryption for compressed backups.
  • Supports SFTP for secure remote backups and SafeBox Utixo.
  • Compatible with local and cloud destinations.
• Compatibility: Windows.
• Official Site: https://www.iperiusbackup.com/

Recommendations

- If you need an intuitive graphical interface: Duplicati, Iperius Backup, or FreeFileSync are ideal.

- For highly configurable command-line solutions: BorgBackup, Restic, or Rclone.

- For fast and simple transfers over SSH or Rsync: Rsync remains a reliable option.

Final Tips

Make sure to test any tool in a non-critical environment before implementing it for important backups. Always configure encryption to ensure the security of your data during transfer or storage.