Creating single bitcoin address with private key?

[goosoodude]

Is it possible to create a single bitcoin address, that doesn't belong to a wallet, safely? As in i go to a website, click create, and can get an address with private key. The website doesn't know the key so the key is safe.

In fact it's more for signing messages, not for holding coins, so safety isn't so much important. I only want an easy way to create an address outside of a wallet.

[shorena]

Is it possible to create a single bitcoin address, that doesn't belong to a wallet, safely? As in i go to a website, click create, and can get an address with private key. The website doesn't know the key so the key is safe.

In fact it's more for signing messages, not for holding coins, so safety isn't so much important. I only want an easy way to create an address outside of a wallet.

A wallet is nothing more than a programm to help you (as a beeing) to control private keys. I see no reason to not use the comfort of a wallet for your purpose. Just create a new wallet file/account with your software/service and use it only for signing. There is no reason to handle the raw private key as you most likely need it in a wallet managing software/service to sign messages anyway. Not that I dont think you are not capable of doing the signature "by hand" or with your own software, but its certainly easier to just use what you have.

[TheButterZone]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=43496.0

[Scamalert]

I recommend that you use Ninja's generator: www.bitaddress.org
Been around for ages, every hardcore bitcoiner trust it.

Just download the whole webpage to an USB drive, run the html file on a offline computer, then can you safely make as many key pairs you like.

You can either use the build in random generator or input your own seads, in any way, you will be gurantied that you got an unique address pair that know body know.

For extra secruity, make sure that your "offline computer" never goes online again (whipe the drive), then do you not even need to care about malware.

[QuestionAuthority]

Is it possible to create a single bitcoin address, that doesn't belong to a wallet, safely? As in i go to a website, click create, and can get an address with private key. The website doesn't know the key so the key is safe.

In fact it's more for signing messages, not for holding coins, so safety isn't so much important. I only want an easy way to create an address outside of a wallet.

Weex came up with a pretty easy way to generate an address key pair that's simple to use.

https://github.com/weex/addrgen

[goosoodude]

Thanks for the answers. I think bitaddress.org looks fine. I could use https://brainwallet.org/#sign to sign a message. It's using https, so it's a bit safe, though you have to trust the website. But as long as you don't put coins on it... And when you have to protect something more valuable then you should use a more secure address surely. But this sounds like a quick and easy way.

@shorena I see what you mean but you don't need a wallet to sign a message. And when you don't use it to store coins then it would be rather safe. The only risk is then that someone catches the private key. I'm not sure if it makes sense to do so for a scammer.

[Muhammed Zakir]

Thanks for the answers. I think bitaddress.org looks fine. I could use https://brainwallet.org/#sign to sign a message. It's using https, so it's a bit safe, though you have to trust the website. But as long as you don't put coins on it... And when you have to protect something more valuable then you should use a more secure address surely. But this sounds like a quick and easy way.

 -snip-

You should not put your private keys in online websites. If you want to use BitAddress.org and/or Brainwallet.org, download and use them locally.

[shorena]

Thanks for the answers. I think bitaddress.org looks fine. I could use https://brainwallet.org/#sign to sign a message. It's using https, so it's a bit safe, though you have to trust the website. But as long as you don't put coins on it... And when you have to protect something more valuable then you should use a more secure address surely. But this sounds like a quick and easy way.

@shorena I see what you mean but you don't need a wallet to sign a message. And when you don't use it to store coins then it would be rather safe. The only risk is then that someone catches the private key. I'm not sure if it makes sense to do so for a scammer.

Well if you use this address to possibly secure and restore your account here, the private key is essentially worth what your account would be in case of a sale. It would probably not be possible to sell the account, but if there is a dispute over who should own the account it is my experience that theymos just does not restore it and whoever has it keeps it. You might have other options to proof that its yours though, just a thought.

Plus what Muhammed Zakir said. Its certainly a valid option to handle a raw private key for this, but I dont see any reason. Most would not handle a raw PGP key either, but keep it encrypted files or keyrings.

[manselr]

If you use Bitaddress, use BIP38 if you create an offline paper wallet. I don't get why there are people out there feeling safe with an unencrypted private key on a paper just because the paper is inside their home. We sometimes forget real life thefts still exist, even if it's less unlikely than getting robbed online.

[pooya87]

you can use bitaddress.org for creating address with its private key.

or you can use this python script:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=361092.0

[ransomer]

Thanks for the answers. I think bitaddress.org looks fine. I could use https://brainwallet.org/#sign to sign a message. It's using https, so it's a bit safe, though you have to trust the website. But as long as you don't put coins on it... And when you have to protect something more valuable then you should use a more secure address surely. But this sounds like a quick and easy way.

 -snip-

You should not put your private keys in online websites. If you want to use BitAddress.org and/or Brainwallet.org, download and use them locally.

I see what you mean.. but don't you think that blockchain.info is more hackersafe than most people's private computers are?

If you agree that this is true, then saying "don't use online wallets as a rule is problematic. There is another thread now and the guy stored his BC on his own computer and got hacked. Maybe if we had used an online wallet with better security measures than his own computer he would still have had them? Of course either way he would need good passwords etc.

I tend to think that perfectly executed cold storage is the best, next are the best online wallets, and then finally would be downloaded wallets made by the majority of people. Because I just don't think most people are able to keep procedures safe enough to guard from hacking.

[d4n13]

I was thinking of trying to create a testnet address using openssl.exe... Fun weekend project.

[Muhammed Zakir]

Thanks for the answers. I think bitaddress.org looks fine. I could use https://brainwallet.org/#sign to sign a message. It's using https, so it's a bit safe, though you have to trust the website. But as long as you don't put coins on it... And when you have to protect something more valuable then you should use a more secure address surely. But this sounds like a quick and easy way.

 -snip-

You should not put your private keys in online websites. If you want to use BitAddress.org and/or Brainwallet.org, download and use them locally.

I see what you mean.. but don't you think that blockchain.info is more hackersafe than most people's private computers are?

If you agree that this is true, then saying "don't use online wallets as a rule is problematic. There is another thread now and the guy stored his BC on his own computer and got hacked. Maybe if we had used an online wallet with better security measures than his own computer he would still have had them? Of course either way he would need good passwords etc.

I tend to think that perfectly executed cold storage is the best, next are the best online wallets, and then finally would be downloaded wallets made by the majority of people. Because I just don't think most people are able to keep procedures safe enough to guard from hacking.

Blockchain.info is a bad wallet. In general, online wallets are less secure than local wallets. Only wallet I suggest is GreenAddress. Other online wallets are either not secure or does not give partial/full access to users' coins.

https://www.google.com/search?q=blockchain.info+hacks
https://www.google.com/search?q=blockchain.info+android+bug

[qwk]

If you use Bitaddress, use BIP38 if you create an offline paper wallet. I don't get why there are people out there feeling safe with an unencrypted private key on a paper just because the paper is inside their home. We sometimes forget real life thefts still exist, even if it's less unlikely than getting robbed online.

There's a good reason for your paper wallet not to be encrypted.
Forgetting the password is much more likely to happen than someone stealing a well-protected paper wallet.
People in general are not very good at securing digital things.
But most people have a thorough understanding of how to protect a physical object of value.

[d4n13]

I was thinking of trying to create a testnet address using openssl.exe... Fun weekend project.

That was easy

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=23081.0

[goosoodude]

Yes, that's a good suggestion, the scripts are javascript and can run locally. Though even when taking the risk, its https-encrypted, so an attack can happen from the server side or on your pc. If the pc is infested then all is too late. When the server gets attacked then we would get a warning. If the owner runs amok then he most probably would try to withdraw coins. Signing a message would only make sense when the owner is reputable. And such an address should not be used then really.

At the end you are right. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for the answers. I think bitaddress.org looks fine. I could use https://brainwallet.org/#sign to sign a message. It's using https, so it's a bit safe, though you have to trust the website. But as long as you don't put coins on it... And when you have to protect something more valuable then you should use a more secure address surely. But this sounds like a quick and easy way.

 -snip-

You should not put your private keys in online websites. If you want to use BitAddress.org and/or Brainwallet.org, download and use them locally.