Bitcoin Forum

Other => Beginners & Help => Topic started by: DAN444 on March 17, 2013, 01:10:47 AM



Title: Safe usage
Post by: DAN444 on March 17, 2013, 01:10:47 AM
Hi
I need some help getting started.
I read the tutorial for securing one's bitcoins on an image on a usb drive..(something like that)
That tutorial was total gibberish to me. Unfortunately.

I m wondering whether it would be possible to proceed as follows:
I m thinking of using 2 laptops

laptop1 :Connected to the internet. Has Bitcoin client installed on it. Used to send /receive bitcoins but NOT to store them.

laptop2 :Used for storing bitcoins. Never connected to the internet for security reasons
The bitcoins are transfered from this laptop to a USB drive and then trasfered to laptop 1 for online bitcoin transaction.

This would actually make some sense to me..

Thanks in advance..
Regards :)


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: battmann on March 17, 2013, 01:14:31 AM
Hi
I need some help getting started.
I read the tutorial for securing one's bitcoins on an image on a usb drive..(something like that)
That tutorial was total gibberish to me. Unfortunately.

I m wondering whether it would be possible to proceed as follows:
I m thinking of using 2 laptops

laptop1 :Connected to the internet. Has Bitcoin client installed on it. Used to send /receive bitcoins but NOT to store them.
.
laptop2 :Used for storing bitcoins. Never connected to the internet for security reasons
The bitcoins are transfered from this laptop to a USB drive and then trasfered to laptop 1 for online bitcoin transaction.

This would actually make some sense to me..

Regards

Absolutely, that old laptop will stop you from becoming the next "thewindrock"

Although I am pretty sure that guy is a fraud...;)


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: DannyHamilton on March 17, 2013, 04:52:59 PM
- snip -
laptop1 :Connected to the internet. Has Bitcoin client installed on it. Used to send /receive bitcoins but NOT to store them.

laptop2 :Used for storing bitcoins. Never connected to the internet for security reasons
The bitcoins are transfered from this laptop to a USB drive and then trasfered to laptop 1 for online bitcoin transaction.
- snip -

I think this is how the Armory wallet works, isn't it?


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: candtalan on March 17, 2013, 05:01:38 PM
laptop2 :Used for storing bitcoins. Never connected to the internet for security reasons
The bitcoins are transfered from this laptop to a USB drive and then trasfered to laptop 1 for online bitcoin transaction.
You did not mention backup etc  - the storage laptop can fail in a number of ways, some could loose your bitcoins.
Security against  deliberate attack is fine, however, keep in mind that storage can fail, and that is never convenient :-(


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: casascius on March 17, 2013, 05:01:47 PM
You could replace laptop2 with a paper wallet and it would be much simpler.

I have never heard of a single Bitcoin being stolen from a paper wallet.


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: BookLover on March 17, 2013, 05:46:54 PM
- snip -
laptop1 :Connected to the internet. Has Bitcoin client installed on it. Used to send /receive bitcoins but NOT to store them.

laptop2 :Used for storing bitcoins. Never connected to the internet for security reasons
The bitcoins are transfered from this laptop to a USB drive and then trasfered to laptop 1 for online bitcoin transaction.
- snip -

I think this is how the Armory wallet works, isn't it?
Yes, Armory would be perfect for DAN444.


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: DAN444 on March 20, 2013, 02:55:37 AM
Thanks for the replies
I m gonna use the Armory offline wallet.
I bought a cheap Asus eeepc exclusively for bitcoins.

A few more questions if you dont mind:
It is possible to never connect the offline laptop to the internet?
If not,
How do I update win7 on it by the offline PC? I d have to connect it to the internet for that. ???
Do I need to update win7 at all?
What about the bitcoin armory client? Needs updates?
Do you put these updates on a USB drive and update from it?

Where do I purchase my bitcoins without compromising the security of this Armory setup?
Is bitcoin central ok?

Regards,


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: DAN444 on March 20, 2013, 04:50:51 PM
bump :)


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: MadAlpha on March 20, 2013, 05:25:50 PM
Hello.

I am new to this as well but I will try to help a bit.

If you never connect your laptop to the internet, then I would say no, it is not necessary to install Windows 7 updates.

Also to clarify your terminology a little bit, bitcoins are not "stored" on your computer as such. The coins are stored on the collective bitcoin network. Only your bitcoin addresses, and the private keys corresponding to them, are stored on your computer, also known as your "wallet".

Also, paper wallets are one way you should think about (which means just printing your private key on a paper and storing it in a safe place).


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: BookLover on March 21, 2013, 12:00:04 AM
It is possible to never connect the offline laptop to the internet?
Yes, in fact, it is recommended.

Do I need to update win7 at all?
No.

What about the bitcoin armory client? Needs updates?
There is no need to update unless there is a new feature you want or your version has a bug.

Do you put these updates on a USB drive and update from it?
Yes, you can download the latest Armory client on a separate computer, and update the offline computer from a USB drive.

Where do I purchase my bitcoins without compromising the security of this Armory setup?
???
You've been misinformed here.  Your bitcoin client does NOT need to be online in order for people to send you BTC.  You just need a bitcoin address from your offline wallet.  If you want to confirm you have received the coins you will need to create a watching only wallet on your online computer.



Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: DAN444 on March 21, 2013, 01:03:09 AM
Thanks for the help.  :)
I m starting to understand 


Title: Re: Safe usage
Post by: DAN444 on March 21, 2013, 11:59:12 PM
Getting my account validated at BTC central seems to be difficult and slow.
Gonna try litecoin