mysqldump -uusername -ppassword dbname | gpg -e -r dumps@example.com > ~/Dropbox/dbdumps/`date +%Y-%b-%d`.dump.gpg
I'm not being a douche, I'd genuinely like a list of advantages...
2.) Could just add an extra "|gzip|" inbetween the mysqldump and gpg commands in the example I provided.
3.) I think this is how gpg works internally. Generates a symmetric key, encrypts that with the public key, and then encrypts the actual data with the symmetric key. This is why you can encrypt a file for two recipients without it doubling the size of the resulting encrypted file.
4.) I do remember having some minor problems when setting it up, but it was quite a while ago. Not a show stopper though.
We just launched MySQLVault, a really easy, really secure way to automatically backup MySQL databases. We know a lot of web developers are focused on making their project awesome, and neglecting their database backups. There are dozens are places to sacrifice peace of mind when building something new, but now creating and tracking database backups doesn't have to be one of them.
We'd love to get your feedback in the comments-
