Tarsnap Makes Data Backup Easy and Secure

Tarsnap is a secure online backup service that makes it easy to protect your files. It uses a combination of encryption and secure servers to safeguard your data.

Tarsnap's founders created the service to address the security concerns of traditional online backup services. By using a unique encryption method, Tarsnap ensures that only you can access your backed-up files.

With Tarsnap, you can easily back up your files by uploading them to the service's secure servers. This process is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise.

Tarsnap is a cloud backup service that uses cryptographic techniques to store and manage your files securely.

It's designed to be a simple and efficient way to back up your files, with a focus on security and ease of use.

Tarsnap uses a combination of encryption and secure servers to protect your data from unauthorized access.

The service is based on a pay-as-you-go model, where you only pay for the storage space you use.

Tarsnap has a port on OpenBSD that simplifies installation, using a SHA256 checksum for the source.

If you're using OpenBSD, you can install Tarsnap from the ports tree, which is available via public AnonCVS servers that provide fingerprints.

On FreeBSD, Tarsnap is also available in the ports and pkg systems, but verifying the signature is still a good practice.

You can verify the signature by checking the SHA256 checksum of the source.

Tarsnap's keygen command requires double dashes on all arguments, for example: tarsnap-keygen –-keyfile /root/tarsnap.key –-user [email protected] –-machine pestilence.

WordPress may smooth away these double dashes, so be sure to include them when typing the command.

Tarsnap's approach to security is centered around a simple principle: encrypting data at rest and in transit, using a secure protocol.

Tarsnap's encryption uses the AES-256-CBC algorithm, which is widely considered to be unbreakable.

This approach eliminates the need for a master key, which can be a security risk if compromised.

The use of a secure protocol, such as TLS, ensures that data is transmitted securely over the internet.

Tarsnap's focus on simplicity and transparency makes it easier to understand and manage security risks.

By not storing any unencrypted data, Tarsnap minimizes the attack surface and reduces the risk of data breaches.

Backup scripts are a crucial part of using Tarsnap, and we're going to take a closer look at how they work.

The script in Example 1, tarsnap-backup.sh, is a great example of a basic backup script. It's a bash script that uses the Tarsnap command to create backups.

The script starts by outputting the current date and time to a log file, indicating which file is being backed up. This is a good practice to get into, especially for automated tasks.

The second line of the script runs the actual backup, using the Tarsnap command with the -c and -f options. The $1 variable is used to specify the name of the backup, and the $2 variable is used to specify the path to the file or folder being backed up.

Here's a breakdown of the variables used in the script:

To make the script executable, you'll need to run the command `chmod +x tarsnap-backup.sh`. This will allow you to run the script by simply typing its name in the terminal.

By passing different values for the $1 and $2 variables, you can create multiple backups with unique names and paths. For example, you could create a backup of your home directory by running the script with the arguments `mybackup` and `home/user1`.

Tarsnap offers a straightforward pricing plan that's easy to understand. For just $3 per month, you can store up to 10,000 files, each up to 1 GB in size.

This pricing model is designed for individuals and small businesses. The cost scales up as your storage needs grow, with additional storage available for $1 per 10,000 files.

Tarsnap's pricing is based on the number of files you store, not the total amount of data. This makes it an attractive option for users who need to store a large number of small files.

As your storage needs grow, you can easily upgrade to a higher tier without incurring any additional fees for data transfer.

If you're having trouble getting started with Tarsnap, the lackluster getting started guide can be frustrating. It barely reads you the command line options, leaving you to figure things out on your own.

You may find yourself wondering how to back up your database or source code, but Tarsnap doesn't provide clear instructions for common needs like these. Writing a decision tree into the website would be a big help, providing handy instructions for users who are new to Tarsnap.

If you're unsure what's important to back up, you're not alone - the article notes that someone might tell you to get the important stuff backed up, but you're not sure what that means.

The delete.sh script is a crucial part of the backup process, allowing you to remove old backups and free up space. This script is designed to delete backups that are 7 days old.

The actual deletion step is done on the second line of the script, where the $1 variable is used to identify the backup to be deleted. The script then deletes the archive with that name from 7 days ago, writing the entire output to the log file.

The script also outputs the completion time and date of the deletion process, writing it to the log file. Running this script will delete the backup from 7 days ago, as shown in the example.

Here's a breakdown of the delete.sh script's functionality:

This script can be modified to keep a different number of days of daily backups by altering the 7-day value.

Currently, many systems are experiencing issues due to a lack of proper maintenance.

Regular checks on system logs can help identify problems before they become major issues.

In many cases, outdated software is a major contributor to system failures.

Outdated software can leave systems vulnerable to security threats.

Poor system design can also lead to inefficiencies and errors.

A well-designed system should be able to handle a variety of tasks without breaking down.

Lack of proper testing can lead to system crashes and data loss.

In one instance, a company lost critical data due to a poorly tested system update.

After installing Tarsnap, you'll notice that nothing happens, and you're left on your own to figure things out. The getting started guide is minimal, and you'll need to rely on command line options to get started.

You can start by backing up your database, but you'll need to know how to do that. The article mentions that there's no clear instructions on how to back up your database, so you'll need to figure it out on your own.

Backups are essential, and you should prioritize them. The article suggests that you need to identify what's important to back up, but it doesn't provide any guidance on how to do that.

If you're not sure what to back up, you can start by looking at your source code. The article mentions that someone told you to get the important stuff backed up, but it doesn't provide any guidance on what that means.

To get started with Tarsnap, you'll need to create a decision tree or a set of detailed instructions to help you navigate common needs, such as backing up your database or source code. This will make it easier for you to get Tarsnap up and running and more likely to achieve success with restorable and usable backups.

Tarsnap is a simple front end for Amazon's S3 storage service, handling complex tasks like client-side encryption and de-duplication.

You can sign up for Tarsnap without setting up your own Amazon account, making it a convenient option for backing up your data. Tarsnap's CLI handles the technical details, so you don't need to worry about the intricacies of cloud storage.

The pricing for Tarsnap is surprisingly low, with a daily charge of around $0.01 for 1.3GB of data, and $0.10 per day for 13GB of backups. This makes it an affordable option for storing and backing up your data.

Here's a rough breakdown of the costs:

Tarsnap's marketing site is missing a crucial element: testimonials and case studies. This is an easy fix, as Stripe has already publicly praised Tarsnap.

Tarsnap's website doesn't provide a clear reason to visit or cite the service, except for using the tool or personally liking Colin, the founder. This makes it hard to attract highly qualified traffic from motivated individuals looking for robust backup solutions.

Colin could leverage his likeability to create valuable content, such as tutorials on how to back up specific systems, like Rails apps or WordPress sites. This would attract a highly motivated audience.

Tarsnap could approach companies whose businesses rely on backups, but don't want to be in the backup business, and offer easy integration options. This would be a win-win for both parties, as Tarsnap would gain scalable customer acquisition and these companies would get a reliable backup solution.

Tarsnap currently assumes single-user-with-godmode privileges, which doesn't align with many businesses' understanding of user access. Implementing multiple user accounts and access controls would help justify Enterprise pricing and make Tarsnap more appealing to businesses.

Here are some key features that would help Tarsnap unlock more value for customers and Colin:

Tarsnap is a simple front end for Amazon's S3 storage service that handles complex tasks like client-side encryption and de-duplication.

You don't need to set up your own Amazon account, you just sign up for Tarsnap.

Tarsnap's pricing is surprisingly low, with daily charges starting at just $0.01 for 1.3GB of data.

This works out to about $0.10 per day for 13GB of backups.

The actual cost will depend on your data transfer and storage requirements, which will vary.