HOWTO: create a 100% secure wallet

[realvirtual]

Although it could take some time to master, what about just memorizing an address and its key?

The brain as a 100% secure wallet is a simple and intriguing possibility to me.

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[etrader]

Thanks,

looks like I will be busy figuring out the encription methods now. TrueCrypt....

[splat44]

Sound good:

So far, I have to re-install per ubuntu live cd, but will this create 10 adresses again per boot?
Does wallet.dat contain all wallet addresses?

If I have install bitcoin client again, I presume can transfer back wallet.dat from usb to where client is by overwriting?

I also agree by encryption isn't the best choice as anyone can deleted encrypted file without password by reformatting or simply deleted from usb device! That's really pain! Simply store ubs device into safe place where no one can suspect!

The only thing that I wonder is when I request bitcoin under windows operating system.
When payments supposed to be instant, if I have to install client again and copy dat file from usb by overwriting the new wallet.dat, how quick will the transfer be there?

Regards

[bitcats]

Electrum is an awesome client but there seem to be some bugs in the "flatfly" windows build:

• It only generates new addresses (new wallet) with an online connection. And if the client is closed and then started without a connection, the gui doesnt show the addresses anymore, though they are still in the wallet.dat.
• The command line parameters (eg. import, addresses, ..) dont work!

It doesnt matter, if the wallet is encrypted or not.

With the "old" build from btcurious, it worked!

[ThomasV]

Hello! Due to the newbie restrictions, i can't post this in the "electrum" thread, so i post it here:

Electrum is an awesome client but there seem to be some bugs in the "flatfly" windows build:

• It only generates new addresses (new wallet) with an online connection. And if the client is closed and then started without a connection, the gui doesnt show the addresses anymore, though they are still in the wallet.dat.
• The command line parameters (eg. import, addresses, ..) dont work!

It doesnt matter, if the wallet is encrypted or not.
I use electrum 0.49 - Win Vista

With the "old" build from btcurious, it worked!

indeed, the build from flatfly does not completely support command line parameters

you can create an offline wallet with Electrum, but it does involve the command line:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Electrum#Offline_wallet

[bitcats]

For me the client is useless if i can't import and use my own keys. Maybe i can do that using linux and than using the so created electrum.dat with the (flatfly) windows build. I dont know if that works but anyway it is quite a detour. 

[malaimult]

i'm very curios if anyone from this forum lost his wallet or have been hijacked.  i've never read a post with this threat

[bitcats]

i'm very curios if anyone from this forum lost his wallet or have been hijacked.  i've never read a post with this threat

Sure, there are posts about "loosing" wallets.

[flatfly]

For me the client is useless if i can't import and use my own keys. Maybe i can do that using linux and than using the so created electrum.dat with the (flatfly) windows build. I dont know if that works but anyway it is quite a detour.  

hi,

1/ you can import your addresses using my build, I just tried that again with 0.49 and it works, but:
 - the wallet must be unencrypted at the time of import
 - you won't see any feedback on the command prompt. but when you open the GUI, the imported address will be there.

2/ indeed my build doesn't support text (console) mode yet.
   full command-line support is on my to-do list and will be hopefully ready soon.

[flatfly]

Hello! Due to the newbie restrictions, i can't post this in the "electrum" thread, so i post it here:

Electrum is an awesome client but there seem to be some bugs in the "flatfly" windows build:

• It only generates new addresses (new wallet) with an online connection. And if the client is closed and then started without a connection, the gui doesnt show the addresses anymore, though they are still in the wallet.dat.
• The command line parameters (eg. import, addresses, ..) dont work!

It doesnt matter, if the wallet is encrypted or not.
I use electrum 0.49 - Win Vista

With the "old" build from btcurious, it worked!

BTW, which version of the btCurious build were you using?
Some early versions did have command line support but didn't work well with Windows XP,
while the later (Cameyo-based) ones, XP-compatible, no longer supported console mode either, IIRC.

But I'm close to finding a solution to that problem.

[bitcats]

1/ you can import your addresses using my build, I just tried that again with 0.49 and it works, but:
 - the wallet must be unencrypted at the time of import
 - you won't see any feedback on the command prompt. but when you open the GUI, the imported address will be there.

2/ indeed my build doesn't support text (console) mode yet.
   full command-line support is on my to-do list and will be hopefully ready soon.

How can i import an address from the GUI (without the command line)? How can i display the private keys without the command parameters (console)?

I think the last btcurious version i used was 0.40

I hope you will soon succeed with the full command-line support. It would be a big gain.

I look forward to make a donation to your addr.

[flatfly]

1/ you can import your addresses using my build, I just tried that again with 0.49 and it works, but:
 - the wallet must be unencrypted at the time of import
 - you won't see any feedback on the command prompt. but when you open the GUI, the imported address will be there.

2/ indeed my build doesn't support text (console) mode yet.
   full command-line support is on my to-do list and will be hopefully ready soon.

How can i import an address from the GUI (without the command line)? How can i display the private keys without the command parameters (console)?

I think the last btcurious version i used was 0.40

I hope you will soon succeed with the full command-line support. It would be a big gain.

I look forward to make a donation to your addr.

Thanks for planning to donate, that's a real motivator to
help me prioritize my to-do list

In the meantime, here's how you would import a key with the
current build (0.49b):

0. Make sure you're online. This build won't work in offline mode.

1. Open a standard command prompt (Start Menu, Run, type cmd, click OK)
2. Drag the Elec049b.exe icon to the command prompt window. This will insert the full path to the executable.
3. add a space, type "import YourAddress:YourPrivKey" and hit Enter.
 
 ( So, if your Elec049b.exe file is on your desktop, your command will look something like this: C:\Documents and Settings\bitcats\Desktop\elec049b.exe import YourAddress:YourPrivKey )

4. That's it! Open the Electrum GUI by clicking the EXE file normally,
   and you should be able to see and use your imported address.

(5. Repeat as needed, for each address you would like to import)

Regarding your second request (how to display your private keys), this
will be possible when full command-line support is ready.

[bitcats]

I did it now exactly as described. No import!
I tried with de- and reinstallation, but again the same: the import command is not working. Could it be a Vista problem?

[flatfly]

I did it now exactly as described. No import!
I tried with de- and reinstallation, but again the same: the import command is not working. Could it be a Vista problem?

I don't think so but I'm suspecting a codepage issue. Is your OS in English?

[bitcats]

No its German.

Another point: I would prefer to import my own keys in offline mode. Thats how I did it with the btcurious build.

-> afk

[flatfly]

No its German.

Another point: I would prefer to import my own keys in offline mode. Thats how I did it with the btcurious build.

-> afk

Ok, I will do some testing and let you know of what I come up with by tomorrow...

[flatfly]

OK you're lucky, I couldn't manage to sleep so I spent all night working
on a special build of release 0.49b that finally includes a console.

Please download and try it from:
 http://win-electrum.googlecode.com/files/elec049b3.exe
 SHA-1: 6f1a8f787b76c9544399fdaa62e4d92788a174d7
 VirusTotal report: here

Notes:
To access the console: just hold down the SHIFT key while launching electrum.
Also, when typing commands, enclose electrum with parentheses (as shown in the example screenshot)

I'm not sure it will work for you right away, but at least you should get some more detailed error messages if it doesn't. Don't hesitate to report any errors.

[splat44]

Hi,

For the same reasons that you made this post, I just created a small program that generates bitcoin addresses and saves the keypair as an encrypted wallet file. It's basically a tool for the overly paranoid, since it doesn't create any unencrypted intermediate files and doesn't require the full bitcoin client just to generate an address. It also generates just 1 address, so it's impossible for somebody to steal your keys from an "old backup".

https://github.com/vegard/mkbtcaddr

Disclaimer: There is no warranty, etc., and I am not responsible if something goes wrong, etc.

I've tested it myself and it worked for me, but please scrutinise the source code before using it.


Vegard

Did some one tried this program using ubuntu live CD?

I find instructions rather a bit confusing which caused asking questions.

Do dependencies and programs mentioned already on ubuntu CD?
It would be great to how perform what being mentioned via gui!

[bitcats]

...
I'm not sure it will work for you right away, but at least you should get some more detailed error messages if it doesn't. Don't hesitate to report any errors.

Switching to this threat: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=73651.80

[cleanbit]

I would think a truecrypt container and an encrypted .dat file should be enough to prevent any thief who at least does not have physical access to your computer.