Backup advice.

[Pygy]

Hi all, I'm currently discovering Bitcoin. I've installed the Mac client, and found the ~/Library/Application Support/Bitcoin folder, which apparently contains the database.

• __db.001
• __db.002
• __db.003
• __db.004
• __db.005
• __db.006
• addr.dat
• blk0001.dat
• blkindex.dat
• database
• db.log
• debug.log
• wallet.dat

Which files/folders do I have to backup?

Also, what happens if someone finds and copies these files? Does he steal my coins?

Kind regards,
-- Pygy

[Pieter Wuille]

You only need to backup wallet.dat. Anyone with access to that file, has access to your bitcoins though.

[Pygy]

Thanks.

Anyone with access to that file, has access to your bitcoins though.

This a bit worrying. What about malware and other attack vectors?

Are there recommendations to secure the file?

Edit: also, can I copy it on and use it from multiple machines?

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

Thanks.

Anyone with access to that file, has access to your bitcoins though.

This a bit worrying. What about malware and other attack vectors?

Are there recommendations to secure the file?

Edit: also, can I copy it on and use it from multiple machines?

Might as well encrypt it if you're backing it up

[deadlizard]

you can use it from multiple machines but addresses generated on one won't appear on the others unless you sync them.
If you're worried about the security of your coins you can create a 2nd wallet with an address on a USB drive and send any coins you wish to save to it.
it doesn't even need to be pluged in, making it as secure as it's physical hiding place.

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

you can use it from multiple machines but addresses generated on one won't appear on the others unless you sync them.
If you're worried about the security of your coins you can create a 2nd wallet with an address on a USB drive and send any coins you wish to save to it.
it doesn't even need to be pluged in, making it as secure as it's physical hiding place.

That's good advice, a lot of people talk about having a wallet that you keep the bulk of your coins in that you keep encrypted and never get in to.
Over time you could pull larger chunks out as you need it.
If you're really paranoid make a new "safe wallet" everytime you do that and encrypt it / have 3 copies and keep them locked up in different locations maybe store one online.

[Pygy]

Excellent advice, thanks. This leads me to another question: what would you recommend to encrypt that "banksafe" wallet?

[­­­Atlas_]

Truecrypt.

It's the standard in commerical and personal encryption.

[deadlizard]

http://www.truecrypt.org/
thats what I use anyway  

way to beat me to it Atlas 

[Pygy]

I'll do that, thanks.

It would be cool if this functionality was baked in the client: you would be able to create a safe, and to load one from a user-defined path.

It would make Bitcoin safer and thus more appeapling IMO.

Suggestion: let's call an encrypted wallet.dat a "bitsafe.dat".

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

I'll do that, thanks.

It would be cool if this functionality was baked in the client: you would be able to create a safe, and to load one from a user-defined path.

It would make Bitcoin safer and thus more appeapling IMO.

Suggestion: let's call an encrypted wallet.dat a "bitsafe.dat".

Sorry forgot to mention truecrypt, I'll 3rd it that you should use it.

There's actually a thread about wallet.dat being the right name or not. I'd link it to you but I'm feeling lazy.
I like the idea bitsafe.dat you should throw that out there.
I came up with keyfile which makes the most sense to me but there is still a debate going on.

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

Got motivated and found it.
http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4903.0