HOWTO: create a 100% secure wallet

[extor]

What's wrong with keeping multiple wallets around. Have like one on a seldom used laptop and one on a regular desktop. I understand it's free to transfer coins from wallet to wallet so even if one gets stolen, most of your coins will be in the backed up wallet.

In fact couldn't you just keep perpetually sending coins to a wallet that isn't even online and it still gets credited?

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[xDGDZEx]

So after reading this, I'm still trying to understand how secure different methods are, and the time vs. level of security issue.

If you created a truecrypt file that stored either the wallet.dat or the entire bitcoin program, and then only mounted it when in use (of course on a clean OS install with heavy virus protection), would that provide an acceptable level of security? I guess I don't completely understand where exactly the vulnerabilities exist.

Also, is it possible to put the wallet.dat on a flash drive with an encrypted partition, so that the bitcoin program could reside on your main OS, but would have no access under normal operation to your wallet?

[codymanix]

The current version of the bitcoin client provides wallet encryption. This should be secure enough for normal users, given that you use a secure password and doesn't store it on your pc somewhere.
But at the end - if a hacker had access to your pc - may it remote or physical, he could also install keyloggers or whatever.
The ultimate security would be to use a computer for bitcoin only and use another pc for any other task, so there is not chance for malicious software to get in touch with your wallet.

[theroman61]

Great and informative post! Thanks for the info.

[manderson]

Thank you for good info! 

[blachskies]

You can never better be too safe with your money. It's a lot of extra steps, but i rather take the time to do that than lose everything. Good knowledge for everyone!

[quicklynx]

Great write up! Thanks for the info!

[556j]

Thanks for the write up.

[Travis12345]

Can you put a wallet on a usb

[omo]

Thanks for the info.

[ducktape]

Great thread overall OP, but I could do without the insults throughout...

[andylam]

thanks i been looking for this !!

[altuin]

Great write up! Thanks for the info!

[Nerzahd]

+1

[Foon]

A good post from the OP with sound advice.

FWIW, Ubuntu will install nicely to a USB key (treating it just like any other hard disk); you can full-disk-encrypt with one passphrase, encrypt your homedir within that using a second passphrase, then encrypt your wallet file with a third passphrase.  Sure it's more likely you'll forget your passphrase (there's 3 of them!) but you've effectively got 4-factor authentication - 3 separate (nested) passphrases plus the USB key itself, which you could keep in a box at the bank.

One tip though if you're going to go to such paranoid lengths - create a dozen or so wallet addresses and keep a list of them somewhere easily accessible (unencrypted is fine for addresses).  It can be a pain to start up and log into such a secure system every time you want a new address (for changing pool or whatever).

[TeejFreeman]

Great Read Thanks!

[Cage]

so might be off topic but pleae enlighten my dumbass..how do i purchase bitcoins?

[Libreyseco]

Thank you for this information, it's very interesting because I've heart that there are some people who try to steal your BTC.

[leg3nd]

Good information! Thanks!

[devoblackflag]

I'll do my best to keep safe!