Buying Used Computer Equipment For CryptoCurrency Unsafe?

[jerry0]

I know many people store their crypto in their hardware wallets.  Some store it on their computers.  Some have a computer solely for crypto to be safe.



First off, is buying anything that used for the computer unsafe if you plan to store crypto in it?  Example buying a used laptop but then doing a complete factory reset and wiping everything?  Or could a hacker still put a virus/keylog in it?



Now what about other things?  Like imagine buying a used wireless mouse or keyboard.  What about a wired mouse or keyboard?  Or maybe even a used modem or wireless router?  Is it possibly to get a virus/hack keylogged if buying anything like this used?  I thought modem/router possible because well its connecting to the internet?  Obviously something like a used monitor cannot cause anything like this right?  What about a used usb cable connecting your modem to your computer?  A used flash drive definitely for sure?  But you should never have an issue if its a new one right?



With a wired mouse or keyboard, could someone just install something inside it or something and you get keylogged etc?  What if say you left your keyboard with someone and say that person is a hacker and then install something into it.  Then when you plug it into your computer, could you get hacked?



What about a modem or router?  Could someone install something inside it where when you connect to the internet, they see everything you type etc?  Like i know hackers put out fake wifi so if say a starbucks or hotel is there, you connect to it thinking its that wifi but its actually a hacker putting the name to trick you etc.  Then you connect to it and they see all your credit card info.



Obviously you should buy things new.  But if its a modem or router or computer, if you do a factory reset, does that 100 percent wipe everything clean?  I heard of cases where people would install trojans in other people laptops without them knowing.  The person then later access their laptop or notice things got hack etc.


Thoughts on all this?  Now let just say its not for crypto but just regular email and banking and everything else.  Is buying any of these things used foolish?  Or imagine just borrowing a wireless mouse or modem from someone such as a friend or acquaintance... but their intention was they know you had crypto and put a virus on the modem or mouse.  Thoughts on this?



So could you get hacked/keylogged on


1.  Wireless Mouse or Keyboard
2.  Wired Mouse or Keyboard
3.  Modem or Router
4.  Monitor
5.  USB Flash Drive
6.  Ram




From this list, i know USB Flash Drive is 100 percent because you can store files there.  Thus if a hacker has your laptop, they could just plug the flash drive in and put a virus/keylog and then leave your computer as is and then you access it and you have no clue right?


I assume the only one in this list which is impossible would be a monitor right?


But what about a used modem or router or mouse or keyboard?  I assume wireless increases chances a lot than wired right?

[xWolfx]

Well the virus in the Flash Drive would be depending on how good your antivirus is. If you have something like Bitdefender or Karpersky most of them shouldn't run and you should get a warning if you have them active.

Everything in that list could be modified and used against you if a person who really knows what they're doing make the changes. As far as i know, some U.S. agency i won't name can even tap the signal of your monitor by replacing the wire i think. They could probably use more methods than that but i'm still learning myself.

I have some doubts with the RAMs, since i know it is used to Bypass antivirus software and that the information is wiped everytime you restart your computer. It's not 100% foolproof depends on what they use and your antivirus again, but something that could persist through reboots inside the RAM is something i don't of yet.

Be especially careful with modems/routers, hacking into those things is too easy to be truth and it is.

[joniboini]

If you want to be 100% safe, even though you used a used computer, then don't ever connect it to the internet. Use your computer offline, and don't forget to re-install anything. Wipe your harddisk, use Linux, etc. Those keylogger from mouse etc won't be able to cause you problem if it ever exist as long as you don't connect your computer to the internet, unless your hacker somehow lives around you and use some kind of WiFi to transmit the data from the mouse/keyboard directly.

In short, hackers needs to get or download the data from your computer (if it's hacked), either via internet, other connection devices such as bluetooth or go to your house directly. So you can protect yourself by disconnecting from the internet, make sure there's no other connectivity devices activated, or keep your computer somewhere safe.

[stompix]

So could you get hacked/keylogged on
1.  Wireless Mouse or Keyboard
2.  Wired Mouse or Keyboard

In 99% cases no, as mouses and keyboards don't have writable memory.
But there are some mice with macro function, especially gaming mouses, those could theoretically store a virus.

4.  Monitor

Again, monitors don't have a way to store data, and unlike mice, they don't have a shot at the USB connector and a chance to infect your computer with a fake firmware.

6.  Ram

Not possible with standard ram, as the memory empties when the power source is turned off.

The costs of trying to turn those into hacking tools are simply too great and unless you target a specific individual and you are sure he will use it on a specified computer filled with valuable information it makes zero sense to do it.

[dothebeats]

Only things I wouldn't consider buying secondhand are hard drive and flash drives, the rest can do. Mouse, I definitely wouldn't buy secondhand as for the macro buttons and it is somewhat programmable and can store data--and obviously for hygiene purposes. The rest cannot easily be programmable or require deep technical understanding to store data/malware (CPU, RAM and gfx cards) so i'm good in buying them. For monitors, it isn't programmable AFAIK, so it's also good in buying them.

[Kakmakr]

It depends on how you are going to use the hardware. I bought an old second hand computer and printer to create and print some paper wallets, but I physically destroyed it with a hammer after I used it. <It cost me about $40 to $50 at the time, but I know that those paper wallets will never be accessible to anyone on the internet.>

A lot of people never use the computers on-board OS again, they low level format the HDD <for storage> and they boot with a OS like "Tails" to use the rest of the hardware.

A lot of the larger Printers also have built in HDDs that must be wiped, before you sell them <used for buffering> and you should never buy second hand hardware wallets.  

[alisafidel58]

First off, is buying anything that used for the computer unsafe if you plan to store crypto in it?  Example buying a used laptop but then doing a complete factory reset and wiping everything?  Or could a hacker still put a virus/keylog in it?

Nope, once a computer hard drive has been formatted all the installed application even a virus is wiped out.

Now what about other things?  Like imagine buying a used wireless mouse or keyboard.  What about a wired mouse or keyboard?  Or maybe even a used modem or wireless router?  Is it possibly to get a virus/hack keylogged if buying anything like this used?  I thought modem/router possible because well its connecting to the internet?  Obviously something like a used monitor cannot cause anything like this right?  What about a used usb cable connecting your modem to your computer?  A used flash drive definitely for sure?  But you should never have an issue if its a new one right?

If you buy a router from a person who sells it online that is a red flag, because those routers are definitely hacked and it might compromise all your information. Just get a modem or a router from your local Internet service provider.

With a wired mouse or keyboard, could someone just install something inside it or something and you get keylogged etc?  What if say you left your keyboard with someone and say that person is a hacker and then install something into it.  Then when you plug it into your computer, could you get hacked?

Installing something from a keyboard would be a hard task without opening and dismantling the keyboard.

What about a modem or router?  Could someone install something inside it where when you connect to the internet, they see everything you type etc?  Like i know hackers put out fake wifi so if say a starbucks or hotel is there, you connect to it thinking its that wifi but its actually a hacker putting the name to trick you etc.  Then you connect to it and they see all your credit card info.

The modem has a digital fingerprint. It stores every webpage that you visited as long as you are connected to it, but it doesn't store every keystroke that you did.

Obviously you should buy things new.  But if its a modem or router or computer, if you do a factory reset, does that 100 percent wipe everything clean?  I heard of cases where people would install trojans in other people laptops without them knowing.  The person then later access their laptop or notice things got hack etc.

Even if you do a hard reset a modem its digital fingerprint over the visited website will still be in its memory.

Thoughts on all this?  Now let just say its not for crypto but just regular email and banking and everything else.  Is buying any of these things used foolish?  Or imagine just borrowing a wireless mouse or modem from someone such as a friend or acquaintance... but their intention was they know you had crypto and put a virus on the modem or mouse.  Thoughts on this?

Buy new ones at the store so that you won't be thinking about these things.

From this list, i know USB Flash Drive is 100 percent because you can store files there.  Thus if a hacker has your laptop, they could just plug the flash drive in and put a virus/keylog and then leave your computer as is and then you access it and you have no clue right?

I think what you should do is that stay in your room and don't get out of it. Your way to skeptic about the thing that's way too impossible to happen if you key your belongings to a safe place.

[Brainnin]

Going for new equipment is much more better than buying used ones especially when using these equipment for cryptocurrency. Buying used computers, routers, keyboard, mouse for cryptocurrency is not a good idea! To be on a safer side, buying new equipment is very important.

[kelz1]

It's perfectly safe if you rebuild it again. Factory reset is likely to be safe but there is a chance of a hidden trojan. Format the harddrive and rebuild it yourself to be sure

[traderethereum]

Why are you so worried? I think you need to learn more about how to protect your crypto on your computer. Although you buy the new computer, it doesn't mean it is safe because when you are online on the internet, there is no guarantee for you to be saved. We are responsible for the security, and if you don't want to get hacked, then you need to take care of the computer and don't let anyone touch your computer.

Besides that, you should not use the computer after you got the crypto and it's better to keep all of your coins in the ledger and save it in one places without anyone knows except you. Then I think it will be safe for you and you don't have to worried about anything.

There is no guarantee for us to keep safe and it is why we need to be careful about everything we do.

[AB de Royse777]

First off, is buying anything that used for the computer unsafe if you plan to store crypto in it?  Example buying a used laptop but then doing a complete factory reset and wiping everything?  Or could a hacker still put a virus/keylog in it?

When you do factory reset for the operating system then your computer is clean to have any program other than the defaults by OS. I do not see anything here to be worried about.

I do one more thing to keep my BTC safe. For long term saving I use MultiSig wallet. Two key installed in two different PC. So if anyone wants my coin then they will need to have access of both the PCs.

[DeathAngel]

OP, you know the answer to this yourself, you seem like a smart guy. If you have even the slightest doubt about a device being clean of malware then don’t store crypto on it. It simply is not worth the risk.

[Indamuck]

Even new hardware can be tampered with by someone at the factory or during the delivery process.  The fact is nothing is 100% safe and life isn't worth living with all this paranoia.  Just cover all your basic tracks and you should be fine most of the time.

[Nadziratel]

I know many people store their crypto in their hardware wallets.  Some store it on their computers.  Some have a computer solely for crypto to be safe.

I think it is not to keep cryptocurrencies in computer. I think people should think about buying hardware wallet. Because I guess it is the safest way.

First off, is buying anything that used for the computer unsafe if you plan to store crypto in it?  Example buying a used laptop but then doing a complete factory reset and wiping everything?  Or could a hacker still put a virus/keylog in it?

Factory reset can be enough. It may keep you safe without internet. When you make a connection to internet, then it all start again...

Now what about other things?  Like imagine buying a used wireless mouse or keyboard.  What about a wired mouse or keyboard?  Or maybe even a used modem or wireless router?  Is it possibly to get a virus/hack keylogged if buying anything like this used?  I thought modem/router possible because well its connecting to the internet?  Obviously something like a used monitor cannot cause anything like this right?  What about a used usb cable connecting your modem to your computer?  A used flash drive definitely for sure?  But you should never have an issue if its a new one right?

Except flashdisk, none of them has a store capaticy in it. It is all safe. But you have to understand that, computer using carries so much risks. Sometime wireless connection, chromecast, screensharing...etc. can be dangerous. So there are two ways to keeping your investment safe. One of them is hardware wallet and the second one is paper wallet. These two options are safe.

[gentlemand]

Quite an intriguing issue when you think about it. As crypto gets ever more ubiquitous why wouldn't people attempt to plant things on the gear they sell? It costs them nothing and may well come up with a result every now and then.

The answer is to forget computers all together for this particular area of usage. Beyond accessing websites there's no way I'd ever do anything crypto related on an internet accessible machine. Same goes for any equipment a level down such as memory and peripherals. Build your own walled garden and stay in there.

[Bitinity]

Going for new equipment is much more better than buying used ones especially when using these equipment for cryptocurrency. Buying used computers, routers, keyboard, mouse for cryptocurrency is not a good idea! To be on a safer side, buying new equipment is very important.

A new equipment does not give you a guarantee of safeness related to crypto. It depends on ourselves on how to protect our assets in our laptop or PC. Anything may happen on a brand new device especially once it is connected to the internet. Indeed a new device is better, as the possibility to face something related to the OP is smaller than buy a used device.

[cryptomaster420]

All of these concerns can be alleviated if you simply use a hardware wallet - suddenly you stop caring about potential viruses and malware. Once you have more than $500 in crypto, I think it's a necessity.

[antisocial77]

if its possible, use only 1 computer for crypto.(trade,withdraw, deposit) dont enter even most common sites.so noone can reach you.formatting pc dont clean pc %100

[jerry0]

To the people that say use hardware wallet and forget about anything else.  I have one.  But the thing is other coins i have... they are not compatible with the hardware wallet.  So what do you do then?


Also if you trade on your computer for example and have wallets on it because your hardware wallet doesn't support those coins, you need to keep those wallets in your computer.  So what is your option there? 


So for example say your internet modem broke and you need to replace it.  Or your internet router broke and you need to buy a new one.  Would buying a used modem be fine or not if its used?  What if the seller is very reputable?  Now what if its a router?  If you buy a used router from a reputable seller online, is that reputable?  Because what would concern me is if the modem or router, you go online with it... then that person or anyone that put something in it could track your visiting websites and also track anything you do such as crypto or trading or banking etc.  Could they put a keylogger or virus on a used modem?  What about a router?  I assume a router would be more likely but a modem isn't?  Because if you need a new modem or router, is it unsafe to buy a used one or not?  Also those of you that say well a new computer or equipment isn't safe because what you do it on can cause issues.  Well of course.  But i mean getting the actual equipment.  So has anyone heard of cases where someone bought a used modem or wireless router and their computer got hacked/keylogged or anything like that with crypto?

[pixie85]

Used equipment is pretty safe if you run a good antivirus that scans everything including memory and boot sectors. You should also make sure to clear bios.
Another rule of thumb is to never sell your old hard drives. A lot can be recovered from a wiped drive even one that doesn't work.

In 99% cases no, as mouses and keyboards don't have writable memory.
But there are some mice with macro function, especially gaming mouses, those could theoretically store a virus.

Many keyboards also have a memory function. I have a cmstorm keyboard where you can assign a key or function to every single standard key, meaning that you can have a space function under alt if that's what you want.