Bitcoin Forum
May 03, 2024, 05:57:32 AM *
News: Latest Bitcoin Core release: 27.0 [Torrent]
 
   Home   Help Search Login Register More  
Pages: [1]
  Print  
Author Topic: Is it worth while to adopt Linux as my host OS for keeping my BTC secure?  (Read 1078 times)
Capitalism Prevails (OP)
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Activity: 137
Merit: 100



View Profile
August 25, 2013, 09:30:46 PM
Last edit: August 25, 2013, 10:02:01 PM by Capitalism Prevails
 #1

Would it just be better to store my BTC on a virtual machine of Linux with Windows being the host OS?  I installed Ubuntu 13.04 and i have to admit i'v had nothing but problems with it ever since.  

It's definitaly not very user friendly.  Everything should work seamlessly without hassle or learning terminal command and i have to admit that Windows did a better job of that. I can't pair with bluetooth devices like i could on Win7.  My printer doesn't work because i have to use some kind of universal driver which takes up too much ram.  And to top it off Virtualbox doesn't work very well either!  I always have problems with sharing items between my host OS and the guest OS.  I fix it one day and than it's broken.  I thought Virtualbox would be my saviour but it's not.

BTC:  1KX3MSyeHoubjvRMvkc4DXBXvEx9fr9cvV                              Strength In Numbers
LTC:  LaGawfU1ZJu33Lj6CX6NJ5WXWsfjPbLLLW                          In Cryptography We Trust
NMC:  N5EUwGbCNF1AYmZqNu9J7aYJVKxqbJoJG8          Cut Off One Node, Two More Will Take Its Place
"You Asked For Change, We Gave You Coins" -- casascius
Advertised sites are not endorsed by the Bitcoin Forum. They may be unsafe, untrustworthy, or illegal in your jurisdiction.
1714715852
Hero Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1714715852

View Profile Personal Message (Offline)

Ignore
1714715852
Reply with quote  #2

1714715852
Report to moderator
1714715852
Hero Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1714715852

View Profile Personal Message (Offline)

Ignore
1714715852
Reply with quote  #2

1714715852
Report to moderator
Abdussamad
Legendary
*
Offline Offline

Activity: 3612
Merit: 1562



View Profile
August 25, 2013, 10:06:58 PM
 #2

If your host machine is compromised then the guest OS can also be compromised. So there is no benefit from running your wallet in a VM under windows.

Linux is not as easy as Windows but it is more secure if you use it right. I don't think you are the sort of person who is going to do that so you should stick to Windows.

Keep most of your bitcoins in paper wallets generated on a second offline computer. Or install armory on an offline computer and use that.
batt01
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Activity: 279
Merit: 250



View Profile
August 25, 2013, 10:09:39 PM
 #3

Have a look at Zorin OS or Linux Mint, its still linux but more windows like.

grue
Legendary
*
Offline Offline

Activity: 2058
Merit: 1431



View Profile
August 25, 2013, 10:31:02 PM
 #4

If your host machine is compromised then the guest OS can also be compromised. So there is no benefit from running your wallet in a VM under windows.
I highly doubt anyone is going to write malware that can compromise a virtual machine and a the guest. It's by no means 100% secure, but it definitely offers more security. For added security, you can buy a USB flash drive and install linux on that. At least that way, a compromised windows system has no chance of compromising your (secure) linux system.

It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

Adblock for annoying signature ads | Enhanced Merit UI
Abdussamad
Legendary
*
Offline Offline

Activity: 3612
Merit: 1562



View Profile
August 25, 2013, 10:52:28 PM
 #5

It doesn't have to be custom malware. A keylogger installed on the host machine will also pickup passwords, passphrases and deterministic wallet seeds you enter in the VM. For example when setting up an electrum wallet you are asked to type in the seed to make sure you wrote it down correctly.
Abdussamad
Legendary
*
Offline Offline

Activity: 3612
Merit: 1562



View Profile
August 25, 2013, 11:04:33 PM
 #6

And if someone has backdoored your computer they can monitor everything you do and access any file whether it is in a VM or otherwise. So if the host OS is not safe you can assume the VM isn't either.

Better instead to install Linux on bare hardware as the sole OS on that system.
Pages: [1]
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.19 | SMF © 2006-2009, Simple Machines Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!