Frequently asked questions
Explore the Superbacked platform.
No… but one can copy paste passphrase to label (obviously weakening security model).
No, of course not… Superbacked license used to encrypt blocks can be used by estate administrator to decrypt blocks.
We recommend including Superbacked license code and website in will alongside other dispositions.
But what happens if Superbacked, Inc. has gone out of business?
Superbacked is an Electron app therefore, even though its source code is proprietary, it can be audited (watch episode).
Also, Blockcrypt (used to encrypt secrets) is open source.
Choosing the right hardware to run Superbacked depends on use case.
If secret is present or entered on computer (one’s password manager passphrase for example), one can use Superbacked on same computer to back up secret.
If secret is not present or entered on computer (one’s signing device mnemonic for example), one should NEVER use Superbacked on computer that isn’t air-gapped and one should ALWAYS use computer that one can secure-erase (Apple silicon Mac) or that has data persistence disabled by default (computer running Superbacked OS or Tails).
For sensitive use cases, when using Apple silicon Mac, we recommend factory-resetting computer once done using Superbacked given blocks sent to printer via CUPS are written to disk (among other data persistence issues).
Given Superbacked is designed to run offline on air-gapped computers, there is no automatic update mechanism in place.
To update Superbacked app, download latest release using downloads page.
Running Superbacked OS? Check out Intel and Raspberry Pi update guides.
Lost license code? Get in touch.
Please visit https://github.com/superbacked/superbacked to learn how to verify integrity of releases.
It is highly recommended to verify integrity of releases before using Superbacked.
If Superbacked, Inc. goes out of business, app will be open sourced and published on GitHub to make sure blocks can be decrypted forever.
Superbacked requires a camera with a resolution of at least 720p (1080p recommended).
If you are having hard time restoring blocks, we recommend installing zbar (Linux-only) and using an external camera such as the Razer Kiyo X.
Superbacked runs on 64-bit ARM or Intel Linux computers running Debian-based Linux operating systems and on 64-bit Apple silicon or Intel Macs running macOS Monterey or Ventura.
Windows users can use Superbacked via Superbacked OS.
Check out hardware recommendations.
A signing device (also called hardware wallet) is a piece of air-gapped hardware that securely stores private keys and is used to sign cryptographic transactions.
COLDCARD, Ledger and Trezor devices are all signing devices.
An air-gapped computer is a computer that is completely and permanently isolated from all other computers.
For sensitive use cases, using Superbacked on air-gapped computer is not enough.
Check out hardware recommendations.
Given we have no way to prevent users from using app once downloaded as app never calls home, we simply can’t do refunds.
That said, if something is not working as expected, please get in touch and we will be happy to help out.
zbar is an open source command line utility used to decode QR codes.
On Ubuntu (or other Debian-based OS), run apt install zbar-tools.
The printer we recommend is the Brother HL-L2370DW given it supports AirPrint and CUPS custom paper sizes (Custom.4x6in).
The paper we recommend is blank 4x6in Oxford index cards (using acid-free paper is recommended).
The thermal laminator we recommend is the Scotch TL901X with Scotch TP5900-100 5 mil 4x6in lamination pouches.
Superbacked uses Electron’s desktopCapturer module to allow users to switch from camera to screen capture (using gear icon) to scan QR codes displayed on other apps or websites.
This optional feature is very useful to backup two-factor authentication TOTP secrets displayed as QR codes.
Audio is never captured even though permission prompt mentions audio.