File Encryption

[Local]

I'd like advice about file encryption and online backups. I'm thinking about backing up my wallet. Is it best to encrypt it then put it multiple places online? What is the best/simplest way for me to encrypt a file? I'm a noob, thanks for any help. Sorry if this has been discussed I didn't see it thought.

I'm using Windows 7, btw. Oh, I guess I need to learn about keeping my system safe too since a backup won't help if my wallet is stolen and spent. Advice about this is more than welcome as well.

[1715250417]

1715250417

[1715250417]

1715250417

[1715250417]

1715250417

[kiba]

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Securing_your_wallet

(this topic needs to be moved to Bitcoin discussion)

[theymos]

For individual files, I like 7-zip's encryption feature.

Truecrypt pre-boot authentication is the best way to prevent anyone from accessing the files on your computer.

[grondilu]

For local filesystem encryption I use ecryptfs which is free software (Truecrypt is open source but not free software).  It's pretty cool.  It can encrypt a whole partition or just make a virtual filesystem on a ~/Private directory.

[kiba]

I just tried out 7zip for encrypting. The only problem is that the encryption feature is obscure and require some automation.

[theymos]

I just tried out 7zip for encrypting. The only problem is that the encryption feature is obscure and require some automation.

What do you mean? It's shown right in the archiving window:



The command-line version supports it as well, of course.

One warning: the default encryption method for zip files is ZipCrypto, which is totally insecure. Either use the 7z format or use the AES-256 encryption method for zip (which makes these files incompatible with most zip programs).

[QuantumMechanic]

I just downloaded SpiderOak for backing up my wallet to cloud storage.  It's like Dropbox, except all files are encrypted on your computer first, before being sent to their server.  You also get 2GB free.  Backups and syncs can all be automated.  They say the client software will be fully open sourced, but this hasn't happened yet.

[grondilu]

There is also the excellent command openssl  (I'm amazed who usefull is this stuff) :


openssl enc -aes256 -in ./bitcoin/wallet.dat -out wallet.dat.aes256