Valid private keys - is a SHA256 hash always valid as a private key?

[zachcope]

Hi all
I'm working out ways to create multiple addresses from one private key - essentially so that one private key can be a 'canary' address but that several layers of salted and derived keys can be made from the one private key.

This will enable warning if the private key is found, as the 'canary' address will lose it bitcoins, alerting the owner of the coins that the larger address is potentially now insecure.

If I create a SHA256 digest from any string of characters, which may include an existing private key + more information, will the result be in a format that is a valid private key?

Thanks in advance.

[Remember remember the 5th of November]

This is from the wiki

Nearly every 256-bit number is a valid private key. Specifically, any 256-bit number between 0x1 and 0xFFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFE BAAE DCE6 AF48 A03B BFD2 5E8C D036 4141 is a valid private key.

So long as your key is bigger than 0x1(I would recommend at least >2^35 and < 0xFFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFF FFFE BAAE DCE6 AF48 A03B BFD2 5E8C D036 4141(you can consider this one and at least 2^35 bits below this to be taken by malicious programs).

[Abdussamad]

You can use a BIP32 wallet. It allows you to create several branches derived from a master key.

Frankly I just don't get these DIYers who try to concoct their own schemes for storing coins. Why bother? Do you really enjoy mucking about at such a low level? Best to outsource this job to a bitcoin client like electrum or armory.

[zachcope]

You can use a BIP32 wallet. It allows you to create several branches derived from a master key.

Frankly I just don't get these DIYers who try to concoct their own schemes for storing coins. Why bother? Do you really enjoy mucking about at such a low level? Best to outsource this job to a bitcoin client like electrum or armory.

The whole ethos of open source and bitcoin is DIY.

There is no Nanny to look after your coins with bitcoin, so developing a further understanding of such 'low level' things is important for all bitcoiners at this stage.

Or should we call keep our keys on a webwallet instead?

I don't want a hierarchical deterministic wallet as if the master key is lost I still lose the wallet.

What I am aiming for is a 'Canary' address such that if someone finds / cracks the secret key it will be obvious as the address will be emptied.
This will then warn me to apply whatever processes I need to the secret key to reconstruct a 2nd secret key for a futher address that holds the bulk of the coins.
The base information and entropy for the 2nd address is based off the 1st secret key, which will need to be secured, so won't be susceptible to brute force attacks in the same way a brain wallet would. However the process of conversion of the 1st key to the 2nd key will be a brain based solution.

Can you see how that might be useful long term for securing keys?

Oh and yes, I do enjoy this kind of mucking about!

BTC

[Abdussamad]

You can use a BIP32 wallet. It allows you to create several branches derived from a master key.

Frankly I just don't get these DIYers who try to concoct their own schemes for storing coins. Why bother? Do you really enjoy mucking about at such a low level? Best to outsource this job to a bitcoin client like electrum or armory.

The whole ethos of open source and bitcoin is DIY.

There is no Nanny to look after your coins with bitcoin, so developing a further understanding of such 'low level' things is important for all bitcoiners at this stage.

Or should we call keep our keys on a webwallet instead?

I don't want a hierarchical deterministic wallet as if the master key is lost I still lose the wallet.

What I am aiming for is a 'Canary' address such that if someone finds / cracks the secret key it will be obvious as the address will be emptied.
This will then warn me to apply whatever processes I need to the secret key to reconstruct a 2nd secret key for a futher address that holds the bulk of the coins.
The base information and entropy for the 2nd address is based off the 1st secret key, which will need to be secured, so won't be susceptible to brute force attacks in the same way a brain wallet would. However the process of conversion of the 1st key to the 2nd key will be a brain based solution.

Can you see how that might be useful long term for securing keys?

Oh and yes, I do enjoy this kind of mucking about!

BTC

The last guy who tried to muck about when he had no clue:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=360183.msg3883662#new

[zachcope]

You can use a BIP32 wallet. It allows you to create several branches derived from a master key.

Frankly I just don't get these DIYers who try to concoct their own schemes for storing coins. Why bother? Do you really enjoy mucking about at such a low level? Best to outsource this job to a bitcoin client like electrum or armory.

The whole ethos of open source and bitcoin is DIY.

There is no Nanny to look after your coins with bitcoin, so developing a further understanding of such 'low level' things is important for all bitcoiners at this stage.

Or should we call keep our keys on a webwallet instead?

I don't want a hierarchical deterministic wallet as if the master key is lost I still lose the wallet.

What I am aiming for is a 'Canary' address such that if someone finds / cracks the secret key it will be obvious as the address will be emptied.
This will then warn me to apply whatever processes I need to the secret key to reconstruct a 2nd secret key for a futher address that holds the bulk of the coins.
The base information and entropy for the 2nd address is based off the 1st secret key, which will need to be secured, so won't be susceptible to brute force attacks in the same way a brain wallet would. However the process of conversion of the 1st key to the 2nd key will be a brain based solution.

Can you see how that might be useful long term for securing keys?

Oh and yes, I do enjoy this kind of mucking about!

BTC

The last guy who tried to muck about when he had no clue:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=360183.msg3883662#new

Perhaps English is not your first language but you have a condescending tone that is quite irritating. I'm not quite sure why you are in the Technical Support forum if your main response to questions is 'don't mess with things you know nothing about'.
Knowledge is not 'all or nothing'. Learning more about how private keys work and experimenting with this (obviously using small test amounts of bitcoin, not one's whole stash) should be encouraged.

In bitcoin there is no lender of last resort if your coins are stolen.

[xzempt]

other than day to day use.....   only keep 1 btc or less in an address....    id rather have 1,000 addresses with 1btc each instead of 2 addresses with 500 coins each....