HOWTO: create a 100% secure wallet

[davidorentol]

Thanks for the info

[1713985501]

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[1713985501]

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[bitcoinnoob13]

thanks im very new to bitcoin this is invaluable information

[junbin]

Does wallet.dat ever change?  If the encryption bitcoin uses ever gets cracked (say some method of quickly reversing the hash), wouldn't the encryption need to change?  In that case, wouldn't you need to recreate your wallet.dat?

[zero3112]

Does wallet.dat ever change?  If the encryption bitcoin uses ever gets cracked (say some method of quickly reversing the hash), wouldn't the encryption need to change?  In that case, wouldn't you need to recreate your wallet.dat?

I always wondered something like that too.  Where if someone steals you wallet does changing the password on my wallet make it secure or the does the person who stole it have the copy of my wallet with the weaker password. In that case would I just consider those bitcoin addresses and keys compromised an just make a new wallet and transfer the bitcoins out of those compromised address to a new secure bitcoin address that hasn't been compromised before the password is cracked?

[DnK]

Ive actually been using the bitcoin wallet on my android. I have about 3 btc safe and sound on it atm. U think i need to move to something else?

Also wouldnt it just be safer to store the bulk of ur coins on mtgox or something?

[overclock]

I lost a wallet back in 2011. Lesson learned for sure. Thanks for the tips!

[natewhatever]

This is actually super helpful. I will have to research further, but I'm way on board with the safe idea. Always wanted a safe...

[stombergas]

I think the best tip is to write it down on paper

[idontunderstand]

i am new to all this. i am also an idiot when it comes to computers. it will take me a while to digest all the stuff in op and actually implement it. i don't want to send coins to a wallet that i don't trust was made correctly. so, i have an idea in the meantime. i am getting a new computer anyways. what if i buy it tomorrow, instead of waiting til next week. then i can use it to go only to bitaddress.org, unplug computer from internet, create new address + private key on brand new computer, and send coins there. then i can just keep it unplugged from internet til i get around to figuring out steps in op. would this be secure?

[Synefiere]

paper wallet in bank-safe is probably the safest you can have

[kapolani]

Another good post to read.

Trying to gain my privs!

[ande85]

Interesting read...defiantly something worth considering.

[jbah01]

Thanks for the advice!

[endoplasm]

Thanks will have to try this.  I always wondered how to be as safe as possible. 

[LetsGetDigital]

Any word on a bitcoin specific live cd/usb distro of linux as mentioned at the end of the article?  That'd be rad!  Also, what live OS do y'all prefer?  Deciding between Tails and Liberte, but I'm open to suggestions.

[btcww]

Thanks for the advice.

Perhaps the OP could add screen shots to guide newbies like us? "A picture tells a thousand words"

[gadman2]

Thanks for this btw.

[bajanboost]

Thank you! Good post.

[N0]

I always wondered something like that too.  Where if someone steals you wallet does changing the password on my wallet make it secure or the does the person who stole it have the copy of my wallet with the weaker password. In that case would I just consider those bitcoin addresses and keys compromised an just make a new wallet and transfer the bitcoins out of those compromised address to a new secure bitcoin address that hasn't been compromised before the password is cracked?

zero3112 you should use as secure password as possible even on your copy.
what if someone steels your copy ?
if you choose a secure password most chances that you are safe even if someone will steal your wallet (as long as he haven't been able to steal your password)
the thing is that you might wont even be aware someone stole your wallet until its too late so the most secure method is to use a paper wallet you know can't be stolen unless someone breaks into your house.

Does wallet.dat ever change?  If the encryption bitcoin uses ever gets cracked (say some method of quickly reversing the hash), wouldn't the encryption need to change?  In that case, wouldn't you need to recreate your wallet.dat?

junbin - the wallet might change if you send coins out of it. you can read more about it here -
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Change
In short is some transactions require your client to generate a new address fo you to get change in.
by default I think bitcoion-qt generate 100 addresses for the wallet. so after 100 transactions you might need to backup your
wallet again (but don't catch me on the word here I guess its best to backup whenever you can if your sending coins)
if you only receiving coins it shouldn't be an issue

Any word on a bitcoin specific live cd/usb distro of linux as mentioned at the end of the article?  That'd be rad!  Also, what live OS do y'all prefer?  Deciding between Tails and Liberte, but I'm open to suggestions.

I created a small an ubuntu based live cd with the most common bitcoin tools already in it.
you can download it from my blog -
http://blog.non.co.il/index.php/bitbuntu-livecd/
But you might want to wait a bit since I'm adding more tools to it and I hope to release an updated version in a few days

[Spassky]

nice info tk