Do I have to back up Jaxx regularly?

[germainelefoe]

Hi,

Complete beginner here so apologies if this is an obvious question.  Just getting started on bitcoins.  I have a synced Jaxx wallet on my phone/desktop.  I've also ordered a Trezor which should arrive soon enough, hopefully to store larger amounts.  My question is about the Jaxxx wallet.

I see on this page https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Securing_your_wallet it says

The wallet contains a pool of queued keys. By default there are 100 keys in the key pool. The size of the pool is configurable using the "-keypool" command line argument. When you need an address for whatever reason (send, “new address”, generation, etc.), the key is not actually generated freshly, but taken from this pool. A brand new address is generated to fill the pool back to 100. So when a backup is first created, it has all of your old keys plus 100 unused keys. After sending a transaction, it has 99 unused keys. After a total of 100 new-key actions, you will start using keys that are not in your backup. Since the backup does not have the private keys necessary for authorizing spends of these coins, restoring from the old backup will cause you to lose Bitcoins.

Does this apply to my Jaxx wallet?  I have written down the 12 security words and put them in a safe place, used them once to sync onto my phone.  Do I have to make further backups constantly to stop this 100 key problem occuring?  I have read it does not apply to Trezor thankfully?

Cheers

glf.

[1714806660]

1714806660

[1714806660]

1714806660

[HCP]

Pretty sure Jaxx is an HD (Hierarchical Deterministic) Wallet... Basically, those 12 seed words are the only backup you need for that particular wallet.

If you were destroy your computer tomorrow... buy a new one, and input those 12 words, it would rebuild your wallet from scratch, creating an identical copy... that is one of the major benefits of HD wallets.

Those instructions you found were very heavily biased towards Bitcoin Core (Bitcoin-QT) client... So you wont need to keep backing up your wallet, just make sure your seed words are nice and safe!

[OmegaStarScream]

That rule only apply to Bitcoin core, not even Electrum, Multibit HD and the other wallets. As long as you have your 12 word seed, you shouldn't be worried.

[TARS999]

One more question, in case something happens to jaxx wallet, lets say app for some reason stop functioning. Is it enough to have 12 words backup and private and public key back up, or we need to backup private key regularly, i.e. do we have to backup private keys after new transactions occurs?

I currently mine zcahs, and I'm using jaxx for payments from the pool. After generating t address I have done back up of 12 words, and private and public keys, so my question is do I have to backup keys again after few months time or is it enough that I have done initial backup.

[zend7]

One more question, in case something happens to jaxx wallet, lets say app for some reason stop functioning. Is it enough to have 12 words backup and private and public key back up, or we need to backup private key regularly, i.e. do we have to backup private keys after new transactions occurs?

I currently mine zcahs, and I'm using jaxx for payments from the pool. After generating t address I have done back up of 12 words, and private and public keys, so my question is do I have to backup keys again after few months time or is it enough that I have done initial backup.

Jaxx wallet has been compromised a few times so I do not recommend using it as a wallet. Use Electrum for Bitcoins. If you want to use Jaxx becuase you want to keep ethereum too, then it is better to use another better desktop wallet for Ethereum. Pretty much if you read this section you will find those threads easily.

It is enough for you to have your 12 words but as I said it is not a recommended wallet.

[Xiangsai]

hi there,

do the security flaws still affect the current client?

also, is there a way to prevent jaxx from creating new keys until i backup my passphrase again?

Greetings

[TryNinja]

do the security flaws still affect the current client?

I believe he is talking about this issue: https://vxlabs.com/2017/06/10/extracting-the-jaxx-12-word-wallet-backup-phrase/

I can't say if it was fixed, but that's only a major problem if someone gets access to your physical device. So, if you know how to avoid malwares and secure your device, it's *IMO* not a big deal.

also, is there a way to prevent jaxx from creating new keys until i backup my passphrase again?

You only have to backup your seed once. It doesn't matter if Jaxx created tons of new addresses afterwards.

[BitMaxz]

One more question, in case something happens to jaxx wallet, lets say app for some reason stop functioning. Is it enough to have 12 words backup and private and public key back up, or we need to backup private key regularly, i.e. do we have to backup private keys after new transactions occurs?

I currently mine zcahs, and I'm using jaxx for payments from the pool. After generating t address I have done back up of 12 words, and private and public keys, so my question is do I have to backup keys again after few months time or is it enough that I have done initial backup.

12 words seeds and private keys is always important to backup.. backup private key regularly is recommended if the wallet is always generated but if not auto-generated backup them once is enough.. 
I heard many users having some issues and problems about using jaxx so i think better to switch to coinomi wallet.. Since we are same mining zcash i recommend you to use conomi wallet my best option to received mined zcash and use to other cryptocurrency. as wallet..  Just always make sure to save the 12 words seed and private keys for future wallet recovery.

[Xiangsai]

yes "always backup your pass phrase and private keys" actually tells nothing about the intervals, making this a lucky game when using this application over a long time (over months/years)

It feels unclear when to actually make a backup.

I try to nail it down:
When adding new private keys or new currency or making over 100 transactions i must refresh my backup.

The App must evolve into a clear statement for the user when to backup.

[TryNinja]

yes "always backup your pass phrase and private keys" actually tells nothing about the intervals, making this a lucky game when using this application over a long time (over months/years)

It feels unclear when to actually make a backup.

Did you read my post? (actually, multiple users said the same above). You only need to backup your seed once.

If you want to be "safer", you can backup each one of your private keys after they are generated. But that not necessary as the seed will do the work for you and restore all your addresses when you try to restore the wallet.

I try to nail it down:
When adding new private keys or new currency or making over 100 transactions i must refresh my backup.

No... You only had to do that in Bitcoin Core's old version, where (IIRC) you had to backup your file every 100 new address.