Bitcoin Forum

Hi, How many of You, would like to invest in computer with guarantee of safety (or just very, very safe)? There is no totally safe computers (with safe system) ready to buy on the market. Is there any reason why? or people don't care about theirs important data (bitcoin wallet!) safety? What do you think about idea: having computer only to work, invest, storing important data, etc.?

There are a number of computers and operating systems that are secure for running Armory offline -- Armory builds are available for Windows, Mac and Linux.   Any LiveOS is considered secure for loading and printing BitAddress paper wallets.

It is the connected computing systems that carry the risk.    With those, bitcoin's primary line of defense (passphrase encryption) can be bypassed with malware that performs keylogging.  All operating systems for consumer or small to medium business (SMB) use are vulnerable to malware such as keylogging software either due to exploits or due to user not following security measures that are adequate.


A separate computer ins't always necessary.  For the example earlier, a LiveOS boot allows a system to serve as a secure device for running a Bitcoin client in an offline configuration (e.g., Armory) or to create paper wallets (printing from BitAddress).   

There is much progress on Bitcoin-specific hardware wallets:
 - http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Hardware_wallet

www.ubuntu.org just install it onto another partition on your hard drive and only use it for bitcoin client.

Not the best advice, only better. If you have a dual-boot machine, and your Windows machine gets infected with a remote admin toolkit, which can be as simple as clicking on a zero-day exploit site link like this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZi4JxbTwPo&feature=youtu.be&t=11s) while browsing the forum, then the attacker can simply run his "scan the raw disks for private keys and ftp them" utility to steal your address balances. An ancient shitbox wiped and used only as a Bitcoin wallet will be safer than a multipurpose day-to-day computer with more exposure surfaces.

I think the OP was referring to stuff like this:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57511962/some-new-pcs-infected-before-boxes-even-opened/

You can't assume that Linux is secure system, although it is more secure than Windows (or less threatened). There is much work to do if you want to prepare Linux to work with high level of security (grsecurity, disk encryption, firewall, virtual machines for java, flash). Not to mention anonymity matter, it's time consuming even for pro users. That's why I mentioned ready solutions.

Personally i think this is a good topic. IMO it is good to have separate computer with Linux only for investing and work, its a safest way to do a business.

Every time I buy or acquire a new computer system, desktop or laptop, I always erase it, partition it, and format it. No pre-installed crap survives even the first step.

What about firmware rootkits in network card, hard drive, BIOS? Usually you can't just wipe it out.  If you've got bad luck you will get one of this in new computer.

Rootkits in hardware, that is something. I heard you can't get into the BIOS on a Sony branded laptop, so that's one reason I might not get that brand. I prefer to stick to generic personal computers, the type I can assemble from parts. You can also flash your own BIOS on some motherboards.

There are many competing parts manufacturers, motherboards, cards, video cards, hard drives, memory, that for sure many of them will not put built in software that will be a liability to their company.

Ask anyone thats ever been struck by lightning if they feel safe?

You already know the answer and you dont even have to be struck by lightning! 


Now the fact that they were struck by lightning only reaffirms the fact that the seatbelt, the bullet proof vest, the safe room , your armed guard, the pit bull in front of your home, the AK at your bedside and the standing army on your block does NOTHING when that meteor comes a knocking! All you can do  is prepare the dashcam and smile!!


Now say Cheese! and make sure you leave your bitcoins in plain sight!

 

Use a tails like system. It remembers nothing and has strict firewall rules to prevent you from being attacked.