(tar)Write Protection

Portability

Being Careful

Write Protection
================

   All tapes and disks can be "write protected", to protect data on
them from being changed.  Once an archive is written, you should write
protect the media to prevent the archive from being accidently
overwritten or deleted.  (This will protect the archive from being
changed with a tape or floppy drive--it will not protect it from magnet
fields or other physical hazards).

   The write protection device itself is usually an integral part of the
physical media, and can be a two position (write enabled/write
disabled) switch, a notch which can be popped out or covered, a ring
which can be removed from the center of a tape reel, or some other
changeable feature.