Should we backup the seed, encrypted wallet file, or both?

[mcplums]

I am curious as to why the program insists that you save the seed- it seems like that is the last thing I want saved in any form anywhere (except perhaps in my head). Surely a safer solution is to save the encrypted wallet file in various locations?

[shorena]

You can store the seed in a safe offline location. While it makes no difference what you back up, the seed is easier to back up on paper in a safe or something like that.

[jonald_fyookball]

I go with the seed.

The only thing the seed doesn't give you is all your history, comments , etc.

But it is safe to simply backup the seed to protect your money.

[Abdussamad]

Backing up both would be better.

I am curious as to why the program insists that you save the seed- it seems like that is the last thing I want saved in any form anywhere (except perhaps in my head). Surely a safer solution is to save the encrypted wallet file in various locations?

The rationale is that more people lose bitcoins because they forgot their wallet password or did not make soft copy backups than because they were hacked. So the seed on paper serves as a backup that always works.

If you feel you can remember the password then just backup the wallet.

[Madness]

I am curious as to why the program insists that you save the seed- it seems like that is the last thing I want saved in any form anywhere (except perhaps in my head). Surely a safer solution is to save the encrypted wallet file in various locations?

Just go with the seed , at least this is what I would do . they are only 12 words
Write them down on a paper and save them or offline device (.txt file on USB) or if you have a good memory just try to put them in your mind and never forget them

[Q7]

The best option in terms of security and ease of recovery is still to memorize the seeds. Come on...12 words can't be that difficult. You also can encrypt the whole electrum folder which is password protected but you need to keep the folder in a storage device where it can get lost or ended up getting hacked.

[pooya87]

I am curious as to why the program insists that you save the seed- it seems like that is the last thing I want saved in any form anywhere (except perhaps in my head). Surely a safer solution is to save the encrypted wallet file in various locations?

that's because you can easily restore your wallet from your seed. and also you can store the seed on a piece of paper so that it will be protected against theft

[Xiaoxiao]

If some one has access to your seed but not your wallet password it does them no good right?

[jonald_fyookball]

If some one has access to your seed but not your wallet password it does them no good right?

actually its 100% wrong.

The seed can be used to restore the entire wallet -- all addresses and private keys.

This is both good and bad.  Good because if your computer dies or you're
far from home, you can access your coins with the seed.   Bad if someone
else gets hold of your seed.

[bitbaby]

I do both as well, I keep back up of my wallet at different places and I keep my seed written hidden somewhere else. Keeping the seed is like having a back up of a back up and it makes you feel safe.