Horcrux: Split your file into encrypted fragments (github.com)

Article summary

The Horcrux project is a tool that splits a file into encrypted fragments, allowing users to store them in different locations and reassemble the original file when needed. The tool uses the Shamir Secret Sharing Scheme to break an encryption key into parts that can be recombined to create the original key. This approach enables users to store sensitive files without needing to remember a password. The project is open-source and available on GitHub.

Main themes

• Encryption and security
• Data backup and storage
• Cryptography and secret sharing
• Harry Potter references and analogies
• Tool implementation and limitations
• Security trade-offs and best practices

What commenters say

• The Horcrux tool is useful for storing sensitive files without relying on passwords, but its security depends on the user's ability to keep the fragments safe.
• The tool's name is inappropriate because it references the Harry Potter concept of horcruxes, which are objects that contain pieces of a person's soul, not just backups of files.
• The Shamir Secret Sharing Scheme used in Horcrux is a well-established cryptographic technique, but its implementation in this tool may have limitations and potential vulnerabilities.
• The tool's purpose is more akin to a backup system than a traditional encryption method, and its benefits lie in its ability to distribute fragments across multiple locations.
• Some commenters argue that the tool's security can be enhanced by encrypting the file before splitting it, while others see it as a convenient way to store backups in multiple places.
• The concept of horcruxes in Harry Potter is not directly applicable to this tool, as it involves splitting one's soul, not just creating backups.
• The tool's implementation may not be suitable for large inputs, and alternative methods such as encrypting the file before splitting it may be more effective.