what are safe reliable ways of securing my bitcoins / bitcoin wallets?

[bmeyersbtc]

Hey all, this question has been asked before in older topics / threads but those are old threads and as a result the methods are probably vunerable / outdated now, So I would like to know the safe reliable ways of securing bitcoins / bitcoin wallets? is it advisable to zip/ encrypt and upload in cloud? I would like to know different ways to protect my bitcoins. Hope to get some response.

[OmegaStarScream]

The worst thing you could do is uploading your wallet.dat file to the cloud. If you want to secure your bitcoins then go with either a hardware or a paper wallet. If you actually have your bitcoins in a desktop wallet for example and you want to secure those, then It's better to stop downloading cracked products, visit unknown site or download unknown executable, make sure your anti virus is always updated and you should be good to go.

[OROBTC]

...

"Legendary" (bwa ha) member OROBTC suggests that all BTC fans (esp. beginners) take a look at the various hardware wallets out there.  I have used the following ones (and there several others with good reputations):

- Ledger models
- Trezor
- DigitalBitBox

All three above are good, Ledger makes at least three models.

[bmeyersbtc]

@orobtc @OmegaStarScream in your own terms and based on your experience, how exactly do hardware wallets work?

[Yuuto]

@orobtc @OmegaStarScream in your own terms and based on your experience, how exactly do hardware wallets work?

Hardware wallets are basically a way to store your keys off your computer, and you have to physically own the hardware wallet and press certain buttons in certain arrangements on it to be able to access the funds.

This makes remote access (almost)impossible, and the if the recovery seed is stored correctly would be pretty much 100% security.

Ledger is out of stock atm, trezor is probably your best bet if you are trying to get one of them. However, i've been using blockchain.info even since i discovered bitcoin. You own your own private keys which is a plus from most web hosted wallets. I would recommend that to you if you're only storing under 0.05 BTC, because a hardware wallet itself is gunna cost you over $100 when shipping is included.

[Amph]

don't go too much overboard with this, just buy 3-5 usb stick and put the wallet.dat there you are done, and use an isolated machien to load your wallet.dat

use a machine only configurated to run the bitcoin client or any other client you want to use, don't browse and don't download anything there, this is the best security you can have

also on exchange don't hold more than 1%, and i usually withdrawal very fast everything

[BTCLovingDude]

Hey all, this question has been asked before in older topics / threads but those are old threads and as a result the methods are probably vunerable / outdated now, So I would like to know the safe reliable ways of securing bitcoins / bitcoin wallets? is it advisable to zip/ encrypt and upload in cloud? I would like to know different ways to protect my bitcoins. Hope to get some response.

the way to store your bitcoin has always been the same way. tools may have changed, or their bugs may have been fixed but it is always the same.

you have two options:
1. storing private keys in a cold manner. this means you use any trusted wallet client or generally any code that can generate a private key for you and is trusted (like bitaddress.org) and then write that private key down or print it on a piece of paper or wood or metal or whatever.

2. storing the wallet file. this method is a digital copy so it will have risks of its own such as getting hacked and have your password cracked if it is not strong enough. or lost the file because of hardware failure . but it still is a good way of keeping a backup. just remember to use a very strong password.

now hardware wallets is like the #2 option. they are holding a digital copy of your private keys and have a built in encryption and security measures. but obviously it is going to cost you. they are not free or cheap like using a paper wallet, but they are convenient and easy to use if you want high security and less hassle of achieving it.

[MetalGear]

The best and safiest way that you can do in securing yoir bitcoin is looking for a legit and reliable wallet.One of the tested wallet is the coins.pg in where while your money is in store ypur money can also grow through loading,paying bills, etc.

[Kprawn]

One of our forum members has lost a shitload of coins, by storing information related to his Bitcoin in cloud storage. I was looking for the thread,

but was unable to find it. The cloud storage is not under your full control and I compare it to a safe deposit box at a bank, but just a bit more

vulnerable. My safest method are paper wallets generated on a "offline" computer. I split up my coins too... and store it in multiple locations. 

[bmeyersbtc]

...

"Legendary" (bwa ha) member OROBTC suggests that all BTC fans (esp. beginners) take a look at the various hardware wallets out there.  I have used the following ones (and there several others with good reputations):

- Ledger models
- Trezor
- DigitalBitBox

All three above are good, Ledger makes at least three models.

Trezor, digitalbitbox and Legder Nano seem to be on the expensive side, I am looking for something within the $10 - $30 range. I see Legder has the HW1 or something, is this any good?

[Glorypaasa]

Stored in a safe place, a backup of your wallet can protect you against computer failures and many human mistakes. It can also allow you to recover your wallet after your mobile or computer was stolen if you keep your wallet encrypted.

[slackcryptoz]

Blockchain wallet and few other online wallets seems quite good for the increased safety of your bitcoin. Few wallets provide very big transaction fee, so that it's good to find the right one and make use of it. Wallet service providers were increasing regularly, so the security won't be a big concern as everyone will be competing each other.

[mk4]

Hey all, this question has been asked before in older topics / threads but those are old threads and as a result the methods are probably vunerable / outdated now, So I would like to know the safe reliable ways of securing bitcoins / bitcoin wallets? is it advisable to zip/ encrypt and upload in cloud? I would like to know different ways to protect my bitcoins. Hope to get some response.

A safe way would be using paper wallets. Its a wallet that is literally on a piece of paper. If you have some money though, get a ledger nano or a trezor. best option in my opinion. Though if you don't have enough crypto, you can just hold it on a safe wallet like Copay/Mycelium/Electrum depending on what device you're using.

[aarons6]

i made a special gmail address with 2fa enabled.. then i zipped up my encrypted keys with a password and uploaded it to the gmail drive.

i also printed out the keys and put them in my safe.

i also put this zip on a usb drive attached to my keychain.. which is encrypted.

[pooya87]

~
i also put this zip on a usb drive attached to my keychain.. which is encrypted.

don't forget to connect that USB drive to a power source (ie USB port) every once in a while if you don't want to come back to it after a long time and see all the data is lost.

[DOGE12321]

Don't upload your Bitcoin to cloud! That is probably the worst thing that you can do. There is no 100% secure way to store Bitcoin. Each option has its own foibles, but the best methods are either a desktop wallet or a hardware wallet. Electrum is a reliable light desktop wallet that doesn't take up all the space on your computer. Bitcoin Core is "full" desktop wallet that is recommended by many experienced Bitcoin users. If you want a hardware wallet, I would suggest the Ledger Wallet Nano S. This is perhaps the most secure method to store you Bitcoin, however, as the name suggests, it is small and can break or be lost. To purchase such wallets you can look in the marketplace section of this forum - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=5.0 - or buy from local vendors and sites like Ebay, Amazon...etc.

[haroldtee]

Hey all, this question has been asked before in older topics / threads but those are old threads and as a result the methods are probably vunerable / outdated now, So I would like to know the safe reliable ways of securing bitcoins / bitcoin wallets? is it advisable to zip/ encrypt and upload in cloud? I would like to know different ways to protect my bitcoins. Hope to get some response.

Upload in the cloud? Seriously? That is the most unsecured thing you will ever do to secure your coins. I will advise you get a hardware wallet, you can do your research to know which would work best for you in terms of price, usability etc. If you feel you ain't cut out for hardware and you are actually storing for long term use as well, just generate a paper wallet, print and keep in a very safe place only you can access. All you need is the public key to always receive your assets. There are also good desktop wallet that you can control your private keys but remember that desktop wallets are as safe as the computers they are on, so know what suits you best. Cheers!