Bitcoin Forum

So as bitstamp has been hacked, I wonder if blockchain.info is safe enough?

Thanks ;D

That is your decision. bc.i had many problems over the last 6 months. They claim they were fixed and everything is fine, others claim there are still other bugs. Who do you believe?


Me personally, I want to be in control of the private keys 100%. At bc.i you are not, regardless what they say.

I wonder what the relevance is in discussing Bitstamp when asking about the safety of a wallet service. The two are completely different.

But no matter.

Blockchain.info has a few security considerations to take into account. Malware on your computer can steal your coins by monitoring you entering your passphrase. Furthermore you need to ensure that you have a backup of your private key stored somewhere safe (offline) in case Blockchain.info decides to just go offline one day. Finally, recently there have been issues with Blockchain.info using a weak random number generator, which allowed attackers to decypher some private keys and steal coins. Fortunately, most of this was done by someone with good intentions, so the coins could be returned, but still.

All together, I would only use Blockchain.info (or any other online wallet) for day-to-day spending money, not to store larger amounts that aren't being used.

Think of it this way, it's easier for a hacker to hack into an on-line wallet but it's not as much easier to hack an off-line wallet which never sees the light of the internet.

Everybody has to make his own conclusion.

This is the best practice for me:

• online wallet like blockchain.info: storing bitcoins worth up to 10% of the monthly salary. If it's unavoidable (exchange), storing more than 10% for a short time period is ok.
• local hot wallet like Multibit, Core: 10-100% salary.
• offline storage: bitcoins worth >100% montly salary.

Blockchain maybe safe at some extent, but I would like to share what I experienced during the past days:

A few of my transactions have been marked as Double-Spend, even though I didn't do it... It was a bug, but it took nearly a whole day in order to show the actual available funds in my wallet... So, you should better go for Bitcoin-Qt Desktop Wallet if you are to do some huge amount transactions...

If you have any serious money 10btc or over then yoou need to create a paper wallet or run bitcoin core on a offline computer just to make sure.

Heh thanks for the great replies guys, much appreciated  ;D :-* :-*

if you had a lot of BTC
Better for u using offline wallet
or
hardware wallet

Regards

I think blockchain.info wallet is safe. People lost bitcoin on blockchain.info because they using unsafe methods to access their wallet. I still have my wallet there.

blockchain.info was hacked.

who said that is it safe? it is not safe. :)  

https://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/gentleman-hacker-returns-stolen-bitcoins-blockchain-info/

http://www.coindesk.com/good-samaritan-blockchain-hacker-returned-255-btc-speaks/

hacker : ""Every bitcoin transaction is signed by two values – 'R' and 'S' – which prove that the sender knows the private key. If the same R value is used twice, the private key can be easily computed from the signatures alone.""

and then read this :

http://www.coindesk.com/research-hackers-install-backdoor-bitcoin-cold-storage/

"Even if the manufacturer claims that it runs open-source code, how do you tell whether it is actually running what you compiled?" Verbücheln said.

Well Basically Online wallets are less safer then Offline wallets .
so I personally don't recommend you to use Blockchain.info or Coinbase or anything simillar to that , just use Offline wallet like Multibit , Bitcoin Core or Electrum ... or if you wanna be sure about your protection and you have huge amounts then just buy Hardware wallet :)

But as far I know, Blockchain.info never failed to return coins when the loss was due to their own fault, not customer's lack of secure behavior.

we do not debate whether Blockchain.info is or not fair. we debate whether the Bitcoin wallets are safe and THEY ARE NOT.

The other problem is there is no proper definition of what is the "customer's lack of secure behavior".

BC might also return funds if the amount is small, what if they get hacked to the tune that Bitstamp got hacked... or even worse Gox?

(And yes, I do use them myself...  ;D but not for 100% of my coins)

be sure they won't pay any BTC back. they will close the business like the wallet Inputs.io, hacked    :)

So, the online wallets are hacked often.   blockchain.info = online wallet = very possible to be hacked AGAIN as IT WAS in the past.

http://www.coindesk.com/good-samaritan-blockchain-hacker-returned-255-btc-speaks/

its been de-listed from the main bitcoin .org site as one of wallets to be used, so im guessing its not safe anymore.

very good observation  :)

Simply..
If you think Blockchain.info not save anymore, just get out from BC, and find another Walllet what you think safe.

Should be safe for sure. But its always recommended to just store small amounts there and create a cold storage for  any larger amounts.

It is not a wise idea to hold large amounts of value on any site (wallet).

Keep in BTC only what you want to "play"(speculate) and nothing more. Do not keep large amounts in Bitcoin at all. The money must stay with "you"(house, bank) but not in BTC :)

if you noticed on the bitcoin.org site its been removed as a trusted wallet lol. that says a lot.

I find it strange that it was delisted from bitcoin.org. I personally would trust amounts on BCI that I would trust on my own computer (eg it should be safe as a hot wallet IMO)

yes, it's strange but it must be a reason...ask them :)

its been removed by the bitcoin.org site that says a lot. but then again if you go to the .org site you`ll notice newer wallets appearing so im not sure what to think since these new wallets are coming out of nowhere.. outside from the desktop ones.

if i had a lot of BTC maybe i'll consider other wallet
but because i only have a little BTC, as long as this doesn't happen anything
blockchain arguably quite safe i thought

As far as i know and base on my experience blockchain wallet is safe to use..
But if you don't want to save your bitcoin in online wallet there are many safety could be safe like electrum wallet it looks like a lite version of bitcoin core wallet..
But base in my experience is much safe than the other wallet And if you want a offline wallet for more safety.. Trezor wallet is a good alternative because of its immune to viruses and keylogger..

No Online wallets are safe. They can scam anytime.
you can use multiple site to hold on.

Otherwise,
If you have a lot of BTC then it is better to use an offline wallet like hardware wallet.

I suggest desktop wallet or hardware wallet trezor would be fine option to hold it, if you have enough and more amount. For little transaction online wallet itself to handle it.
If you don't share private key or private seed of your wallet then your wallet is cen percent safe about it.

Blockchain.info can't scam you. They don't have your private keys.

However it's only as secure as your computer is and most computers are not secure.

If you are doubting about blockchain.info wallet much better for you to store your btc on paperwallet nor hardware wallets but make sure your computer is not infected by bad malwares so that your balance will not be stolen out by genious hackers around. But for more convenience upon using try to leave some balance on blockchain so that you will not get a hassle time to reach up your balance interms of emergency situation.

I didn't have any problems with blockchain.info wallet whatsoever and I'm using it for the last 4 years. The only issue I've had is the confirmation email not getting to me and that's been resolved in an our or so. So if you ask me, it's good and it's only safe as you are making it safe.  

I have been using blockchain.info too. I thought before that this is the real "blockchain" technology that is being used by bitcoin. But with some problems I did experienced some that the send button is unable to click but that was reported immediately and it was been solved naturally by just clearing some caches and history of my browser.

I also use trezor over two month , really it is a good place for holding coin and it is very easy to operate.

The good thing about trezor its immune in any viruses and keyloggers unlike other hardware that only immune to virus but not immune to keylogger..
Like ledger nano its immune to viruses but not in keylogger so anytime it can record your activity..
So trezor is most safe to choose..

Everything is safe if you keep it safe. No doubt web wallets are dangerous but blockchain.info does provide option to create seed for wallet hence reduce risk of losing Bitcoins. But still it is better to go for wallets like Electrum if you can easily access it on both desktop and mobile.

I agree. Safety is yourself. I was using blockchain.info in about last 1 years. Being secured, I have enabled two-step verification via SMS code, backup phrase as these all of the security measures. Yes, to be connected any online wallet along will not be secured.

Yes if a person will make his/her wallet account more secure then he will remain secure from losing his/her bitcoins. But here OP is discussing about the hacking the whole blockchain.info. Just like in the past some exchanges hacked overall and people there having their accounts secured but the owners lost the bitcoins of their users.

In this case I will recommend to stay with desktop wallet or hardware wallet as these both are considered as more secure and you will have control on your bitcoins.

I've had coins on blockchain.info for quite some time as more of a spending wallet and always considered them safe with email and sms authentication but does anyone know what will happen to coins on blockchain.info regarding the split? Has there been any announcement?


This was probably mostly down to politics. As fas as I recall services have to pay to get listed on bitcointalk.org.


I have a ledger also. You need to confirm the transaction physically with the built in button so even if you did have a keylogger there's nothing a hacker can do.

How odd, as far as I know blockchain.info has one of the highest number of users as compared to the listed web wallets there which also says a lot

Agreed if you choose not to be careless with sharing your email address and the alike that should keep you out of harm's way and i think blockchain.info is as good as desktop wallets because i honestly think its advantages out weigh using other wallets and its just convient to use.

As far i know blockchain.info is safe.But i don't like online wallet. I will suggest you to use electrum,bitcoincore or any desktop wallet.But blockchain.info is most better than any other wallet. but use two step verification and don't forget to save your phrase.

Same here. I've also more than 1 years experience of using Blockchain.info wallet. As Blockchain take care much about security, treat as most popular bitcoin site and online wallet. But, only having your own wallet, such as a hardware wallet will be suggested.

I use blockchain.info about 16 months, I used to buy 2 btc when bitcoin price around $ 220 and I save 1.29 btc and almost 7 months I never open and all balance is still safe and not reduced.

Blockchain is probably the safest in all web-wallets.

But there is always a risk involved in web-wallets, I'd still recommend paper wallets.

Not all people can download full blockchain or just too lazy to install and wait to synchronized properly with Blockchain network so using Bitcoin web wallet is a good way to store Bitcoin and it's easy to use but you have to face the cons like sometime it will down or you can't access it sometimes.

About security measures and others use blockchain.info wallet can be recommended. But, you should not wonder if your accounts come to getting hacked. Try to use those listed wallet, which have been reviewed by bitcoin.org. It might be OK.

Correct. Blockchain is a safe and mostly uses wallet. large number of people using this wallet as a first class wallet.But online wallet is not safe wallet,  If you want to safest wallet then you have to use Electrum or mycelium or desktop wallet.Bitcoin.org said to use Electrum or mycelium wallet may be.

Online wallet are risky to use, but blockchain is a good wallet. If someone use 2FA then its more safe to use.so blockchain wallet is safe.

Yes right, all online wallet is at risk, even offline wallet is also at risk, but I think it depends on our way in addressing the problem, it is safer if we do not rely on one type of wallet, dividing our bitcoin into some wallet is the best way.

If asked safe, of course safe, because I've been using more than a year and become the only my bitcoin wallet. The most important thing is we must have to enable all 2FA security features, so it is difficult for thieves to hack our account.

Yes it is safe and ive been using it since i do engage and know about bitcoin.It is safe as long you didnt give any informations about your wallet and setting email verification and 2fa would really a good security into your wallet and now blockchain would really give you the access on your keys which is really nice feature as of now unlike in the past that they dont give they keys but now you can able to do such thing.

Dividing your coins over various wallets won't do much if you expose yourself to all kinds of risks that may come from online wallet services or you not properly securing your backups.

Nothing beats proper offline storage. Offline storage means that you store your private keys on a piece of paper, or a hardware wallet, that at all times has no connection to the internet.

People often think that when they use a desktop client that they are safe from whatever threats, but that obviously isn't the case ~ it gives people a false sense of security. Offline is the way to go for long term storage.

It's not as safe as a desktop wallet, and it's much less safe than cold storage. I've read about potential JS attacks that make blockchain.info vulnerable. The fact is, whether potentially devastating attacks are currently known yet or not, you don't control the software which controls your keys on blockchain.info. That should worry you. I'm certainly not sophisticated enough to understand the potential attacks, but I feel much more secure with my encrypted desktop wallet.

You can add 2FA to an electrum wallet too, if you want. BCI is better than a straight up 3rd party web wallet, but it's definitely not great for holding much value.

In any case web wallet is risky we are not so sure who are behind it . I also use that blockchain wallet and many more so in with that i can reduce the risk of losing all that i have , Using 2fa is a good authenticator only for those who wants to steal your money but if that web wallet runs we cant do anything .

Most of us say that web wallets aren't safe and it's vulnerable for attacks and it has lesser security features. I would yes, that's true but what if you will do small amount of transactions?

They are the convenient way of storing bitcoins online and it's up to you on how you will handle your bitcoins.

You just be aware of clicking certain links that are untrusted and don't fall for phishing links.

If you're using them to collect giveaways and things of that nature, sure. But if we're talking about really insignificant sums of coins (at least in terms of today's value), then I would probably use Coinbase. Coinbase is great for collecting large amounts of small inputs, since you don't need to pay any transaction fees when you want to finally move your coins out. Yes, there is 3rd party risk. But they are a tightly regulated company and we aren't talking about risking very much.

I think they are asking for the miners fee before last month when i was use their wallet..
Are you sure that coinbase right now are not asking for the miners fee and you are free to transact without paying miners fee?
Because past month ago before segwit activation coinbase is asking for miners fee i just want to clarify since i already transfer my funds to my electrum wallet just to be safe before segwit..

You're right. I misspoke. They charge a miner's fee, but I believe it's a relatively flat fee based on current network fees. In other words, if you send them dozens and dozens of inputs, they'll still charge a standard miner's fee based on standard wallet procedure. They won't take into account how expensive sending a transaction composed of many dozens of inputs really is. If you sent this type of transaction from your own wallet, you'd end up paying a good deal of it in transaction fees. I believe this can be avoided when using Coinbase.

Well that pretty much goes for everything. your wallet is safe as you tend to keep it. if you're visiting dodgy websites, downloading some unlicensed softwares, etc... you're not really being that safe, yeah? You just need to be careful what are you doing and also use all of the given security measures.

Yep, what you said is all truth. Web wallets are not really that much safe, though some of them can be highly secured, of course, but to a certain level. Their security is not guaranteed to be 100% safe (not sure if the most secured is even up to 80%). So if you want to save a large amount of bitcoin, I suggest you adopt cold storage for that. Use online wallet for a certain amount.

No online wallet is entirely safe but blockchain.info has some security layers like computer, email and phone sms confirmation before they allow users to log into their accounts but you should not keep all your btc in an online wallet.