Shannon's Journal Discussion

[Shannon]

I am astonished at how losing MIR 2.1 has hit me so hard.

Hey Shannon - I absolutely hate losing code I have worked ages on... I feel your pain. Have you considered using DropBox for all of your scripts? (automated backup) Or maybe just regular source control (e.g. GitHub) to force you to save versions as you build? Then these 'accidents' are very easy to correct.

Also... I assume with the loss of MIR, that MHS will be delayed? (since it would have benefited from much of the MIR work)

DropBox is not secure. I have concluded that I am going to create an encrypted container for the scripts and such, which will be in DropBox, and work on the programs from within it.

Had that idea several hours ago.

[cfact]

DropBox is not secure. I have concluded that I am going to create an encrypted container for the scripts and such, which will be in DropBox, and work on the programs from within it.

Had that idea several hours ago.

I am comfortable with their security measures - https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/27 - you should definitely switch on two-step verification - but I can understand if you are not. The downside with your approach is that the entire encrypted container will be backed up, not individual files - so not as simple to "roll back" to previous versions of a file. But that is the trade off for security.
Maybe a compromise is something like https://www.boxcryptor.com/en/dropbox - keeps individual files encrypted.

But your container approach would already give you peace of mind - you always know that all container changes are automatically backed up...

[Shannon]

DropBox is not secure. I have concluded that I am going to create an encrypted container for the scripts and such, which will be in DropBox, and work on the programs from within it.

Had that idea several hours ago.

I am comfortable with their security measures - https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/27 - you should definitely switch on two-step verification - but I can understand if you are not. The downside with your approach is that the entire encrypted container will be backed up, not individual files - so not as simple to "roll back" to previous versions of a file. But that is the trade off for security.
Maybe a compromise is something like https://www.boxcryptor.com/en/dropbox - keeps individual files encrypted.

But your container approach would already give you peace of mind - you always know that all container changes are automatically backed up...

Security is always a compromise between convenience and security. We have tried everything... even boxcryptor. It didn't work for us, although I don;t remember why right now.

I can live with an encrypted container being backed up, I will still keep multiple external disks for backup separately on a periodic basis.

[RoaringLion]

i imagine Shannon doesn't even want the possibility of Dropbox employees being able to access his trade secrets, also government agencies and hackers.

[Cozy]

DropBox is not secure. I have concluded that I am going to create an encrypted container for the scripts and such, which will be in DropBox, and work on the programs from within it.

Had that idea several hours ago.

I am comfortable with their security measures - https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/27 - you should definitely switch on two-step verification - but I can understand if you are not. The downside with your approach is that the entire encrypted container will be backed up, not individual files - so not as simple to "roll back" to previous versions of a file. But that is the trade off for security.
Maybe a compromise is something like https://www.boxcryptor.com/en/dropbox - keeps individual files encrypted.

But your container approach would already give you peace of mind - you always know that all container changes are automatically backed up...

Security is always a compromise between convenience and security. We have tried everything... even boxcryptor. It didn't work for us, although I don;t remember why right now.

I can live with an encrypted container being backed up, I will still keep multiple external disks for backup separately on a periodic basis.

You should try keeping a copy on your phone, even the FBI can't get into iPhones these days. There's an app for iPhone called "downloads" you can drag and drops files from your computer, and it's password protected... if you have an iPhone. Or you could buy one of those thin USBs and wear it as a necklace, I've thought about that when it comes to my app development projects.

[bits]

What about ironkey? expensive but maybe a 8gb/16gb would be enough for scripts?

http://www.ironkey.com/en-US/encrypted-storage-drives/

[hunk]

Shannon, I sent you healing energy. Got your pic btw, this makes it easy for me. Please work at your own pace and never mind the naysayers.

Reminds me of my Reiki group healing sessions we used to do ages ago. Is Shannon's pic publicly available? I could chime in as well.

[Cozy]

Every company has trade secrets, there's always going to be a risk when it comes to security. I'm sure companies spend a lot of money protecting their secrets. If I were you, encrypted hard drive and safety deposit box. If someone tried to rob the bank, they probably wouldn't know or care what to do with it. But unless you have like a billion dollar corporation as your competitor, I don't think you should be that worried about it. As someone recently said, most people think these things are as good as magic.

[Shannon]

What about ironkey? expensive but maybe a 8gb/16gb would be enough for scripts?

http://www.ironkey.com/en-US/encrypted-storage-drives/

I have dropbox on my phone. I also have an encrypted USB key. I started my backup routine (backing up to all these devices) and ended up with this...

So it's not for trying.

[Shannon]

Every company has trade secrets, there's always going to be a risk when it comes to security. I'm sure companies spend a lot of money protecting their secrets. If I were you, encrypted hard drive and safety deposit box. If someone tried to rob the bank, they probably wouldn't know or care what to do with it. But unless you have like a billion dollar corporation as your competitor, I don't think you should be that worried about it.

Except that the more security I have the more time I have to spend on security. If I back up to a USB key, 2 external drives, and swap out a third from a safety deposit box, how much time is that out of my time for building and all the rest I have to do?

Keeping multiple forms of backup already takes time.

Encrypted backups take more time.

Making backups that are kept up to date, more time.

And having off-site backup, even more time.

While I had an office away from home, it was easy. I would just swap out a hard disk and bring it home every so often.

But, I guess a safety deposit box is going to be a necessity... and a lot more time making and maintaining backups.

[Cozy]

Every company has trade secrets, there's always going to be a risk when it comes to security. I'm sure companies spend a lot of money protecting their secrets. If I were you, encrypted hard drive and safety deposit box. If someone tried to rob the bank, they probably wouldn't know or care what to do with it. But unless you have like a billion dollar corporation as your competitor, I don't think you should be that worried about it.

Except that the more security I have the more time I have to spend on security. If I back up to a USB key, 2 external drives, and swap out a third from a safety deposit box, how much time is that out of my time for building and all the rest I have to do?

Keeping multiple forms of backup already takes time.

Encrypted backups take more time.

Making backups that are kept up to date, more time.

And having off-site backup, even more time.

While I had an office away from home, it was easy. I would just swap out a hard disk and bring it home every so often.

But, I guess a safety deposit box is going to be a necessity... and a lot more time making and maintaining backups.

Or just buy a USB key for every new script, label it and make a deposit.

[Shannon]

Every company has trade secrets, there's always going to be a risk when it comes to security. I'm sure companies spend a lot of money protecting their secrets. If I were you, encrypted hard drive and safety deposit box. If someone tried to rob the bank, they probably wouldn't know or care what to do with it. But unless you have like a billion dollar corporation as your competitor, I don't think you should be that worried about it.

Except that the more security I have the more time I have to spend on security. If I back up to a USB key, 2 external drives, and swap out a third from a safety deposit box, how much time is that out of my time for building and all the rest I have to do?

Keeping multiple forms of backup already takes time.

Encrypted backups take more time.

Making backups that are kept up to date, more time.

And having off-site backup, even more time.

While I had an office away from home, it was easy. I would just swap out a hard disk and bring it home every so often.

But, I guess a safety deposit box is going to be a necessity... and a lot more time making and maintaining backups.

Or just buy a USB key for every new script, label it and make a deposit.

Yeah, because I don't already have to replace dead USB keys a couple times a year...

they are not exactly reliable.

[Cozy]

Hmm, I've had USBs that have lasted me years, and I use them regularly.

[Shannon]

Hmm, I've had USBs that have lasted me years, and I use them regularly.

Windows and USB keys... and USB cables... apparently don't like me. I replace my USB keys from failure to mount, and loss of data, two or three times a year. I have three of them on my keychain right now, and only one works. I have to buy another.

Not impressed with them as a single source of data storage so far. Maybe if I spent more money I would be. But I'm not buying cheap stuff now...