Buying Used Computer Equipment For CryptoCurrency Unsafe?

[jerry0]

Unfortunately there's no fairly used Computer Equipment that's safe for cryptocurrency, or safe for any type of document generally. Many used Computer equipment are purposely hacked before there are sell out, this was my experience when i worked with Computer dealers years back, they do the hack, sell to their friends and then exploit their systems for selfish interest. Just to gain access to their privacy.

Advise: Buy fairly used Computer equipment, format the system by self or another dealer and then do the installation by self.

Are you serious?  When you say these people do this, what exactly are they hacking?  Like bank accounts and debit/credit cards?  Or just bring noisy?  Because if they hack back account, the owner can contact bank and get it back.

He is just extremely paranoid. Preparing computer to hack it's future user is almost impossible. How exactly seller can predict if future user of hardware that he sold will use it to watch cats on youtube or to store bitcoins?

How much cost and time would it take a user to put malware in something like those 2 items i listed?


I

[dimastegar]

I keep some wallet data on the computer and it's safe. As long as I use a private network, I'm sure my data will be safe. So actually, hacking is an insecurity factor of the network used. For example we use a VPN that is less reliable, then our data could have been stolen by the owner of the VPN. So be careful when using public networks.

[Kizaki]

Almost all of the hardware you list doesnt have capacity to store and write data on them except the flash drive.But flashdrive with virus like a keyloger or worm viruses can easily be blocked by those anti viruses up to date.Its easy to prevent  getting hacked nowadays

[jerry0]

Well if a flash drive can have, wouldn't a power bank for laptop can as well or not?  What if it has 2 usb ports but you only use the charger to charge the powerbank and connect it to your laptop to charge it?

[Artemis3]

How much cost and time would it take a user to put malware in something like those 2 items i listed?

I

Well if you have to know, it is possible. If you are targeted, there is a chance to get you via social engineering: Example, I'm so nice, I'm sending you a new shiny usb keyboard! Am i not nice?

Basically anything USB could be a trojan (technically anything but lately usb is the trend). And USB with spy things can be bought in China or custom made by individuals or State organizations..

The computer used or new are about the same level of risk, assume compromised. I would use Tails or similar secure OS/distro if i were that paranoid, and it doesn't even need a hard drive (tho you could install that).

If you want to approach perfection, you would need perhaps to buy something recommended by the FSF.

Used or not, you can replace all the firmware/software of those, such as the Librem laptops.

[akirasendo17]

I dont exactly what are you trying to ask but there is a safe and unsafe for this
Example:
Computers that are use in mining do a lot of work during mining it stresses the processor and all parts of it
since it has to run 24x7 for like years so that parts life span is short unlike computers that are only use for browsing and so on
so its not okay to buy this equipement unless you are willing to risk money because it will not last longer
this is a no for sellers its unsafe for the seller to sell his/her harddrive why? because we can crawl and get old data from that
believe even if you format the drive it can be retrieve, and thats dangerous if you have 100 bitcoin and you save the password on the drive
My suggestion is for buyers don't buy computers that are use in mining it will not last
on seller's please don't sell computers together with hard drives remove it its not dafe

[akirasendo17]

Im curious about a few other products.



1.  Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)


2.  Powerbank ... imagine the ones where you buy where you can charge your laptop or tablet or phone. 




Can these contain malware or not?  For example whether its a used one or say a 3rd party sells it and they put it in? 

What about these devices?  What about a powerbank that you connect to your laptop via ac adapter?\


What if it also contains usb ports as well? 


So if a powerbank has usb ports on it but you don't use it but charge your laptop with it with the ac adapter or cable they give you, such as connecting from the cable slot of power bank to the power slot of the laptop, its not possible to transfer malware?

it is possible to have malware if you are familiar with the movie  blackhat starring Chris hemsworth where the pumps are being control
one example but to be able to do that you have to know a lot of things, also in the movie they are using linux that's a great movie
thats why i like linux you can copy drives via terminal without being notice by others unlike windows people can definitely see it

[timerland]

As someone who's spent a lot of time on used hardware, and cryptocurrency, the number rule is to always assume the worst, and then prepare for that.

Assume the person who is selling you the used motherboard, or PC has infected it with malware, assume that if your BTC private key gets exposed on that PC, all is gone.

Usually the dumber hacker will install a malware on the windows account they'll set up for you, and then when your private keys touch that PC, you'll be fucked.

The best way to avoid this, use your own hard drives (I have a SSD and HDD that I install in every PC build), wipe their windows account and take their storage out - then you can wipe the mobo bios, or update it, but you should be safe with this.

Another good idea - buy a ledger, and your private keys will never be exposed to anything.

[timerland]

Im curious about a few other products.

1.  Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)

2.  Powerbank ... imagine the ones where you buy where you can charge your laptop or tablet or phone. 

Can these contain malware or not?  For example whether its a used one or say a 3rd party sells it and they put it in? 

What about these devices?  What about a powerbank that you connect to your laptop via ac adapter?\


What if it also contains usb ports as well? 

So if a powerbank has usb ports on it but you don't use it but charge your laptop with it with the ac adapter or cable they give you, such as connecting from the cable slot of power bank to the power slot of the laptop, its not possible to transfer malware?

it is possible to have malware if you are familiar with the movie  blackhat starring Chris hemsworth where the pumps are being control
one example but to be able to do that you have to know a lot of things, also in the movie they are using linux that's a great movie
thats why i like linux you can copy drives via terminal without being notice by others unlike windows people can definitely see it

I don't think that's the best way to base something off - a movie isn't always an accurate representation of real world circumstances, and watching a "hacker" mash keys on a keyboard and breach the US goverment's database - isn't really how the real world works.

I'm not familiar about UPS, only PSUs if that's what your talking about - realized I wasn't accurate enough in my last post so I'll break it down.

A PC has these parts

CPU
GPU
Motherboard
Ram
Storage
PSU

The storage is of biggest risk, but usually none of the other components are able to store any data in them, so it'll be impossible for malware to be installed. You can only boot into BIOS without storage, so that's why I usually wipe BIOS or flash a new one on just in case.

Power banks on the other hand, their USB ports are only made for processing power, and unless you've bought one with a wireless signal (needs to send the data back to somewhere), and USD ports that can transfer data, you'll be fine

[Murat]

There is a little possibility to get hacked by the hardware what you have mentioned here, According to the IT expert Wireless mouse or keyboard, Wired Mouse and Wired Keyboard are not responsible in order to be hacked, In the same way, you don't blame Monitor also because the monitor doesn't carry any storage data. I also think that Wireless equipment has more chances than wired equipment to get hacked or leaked the information what you have stored. One thing you can do that you have to use your computer fully offline when you use a used computer or related equipment. Most important thing is that you should use a private network in order to keep safe your data for being stored. There will be no chance to be stoled from your device.

[aces777]

I have never had to buy already used computer equipment for cryptocurrency, but however, I think that the major thing here isn't whether or not the equipment is safe for use, but whether you are buying from a trusted source. If you are patronizing someone who is reliable, and has come through for you a couple of times, then there might be nothing to really worry about. Otherwise, it is unsafe.

[bounceback]

it's actually a problem where 50% of people say it's safe and only a few people say it's not safe buying a used computer for cryptocurrency, but I myself am safe now because I also use a used computer for cryptocurrency because I don't have more money to buy a new one, a little advice if you buy a used computer, you must reinstall the computer first before exploring cryptocurrency.

[blckhawk]

Reformat is enough, as long as you unchecked the "quick format" option to completely wipe the drive. As long as you install genuine Windows or Operating System of your choice, you're pretty much safe. Here are some tips and facts to summarize:

1. Install genuine Windows only
2. Disable Quick Format option while doing OS installation
3. Fact: Keyloggers and viruses can't be stored on the most peripherals (e.g. mouse, keyboards)
4. DO NOT install pirated softwares.

[Kyraishi]

I think op is being a little too paranoid here. I don't think there's a danger in buying used computer equipment considering as long as you know to do all the precautions there is to avoid any unwanted event. However, if we're talking about selling them (used computer equipment), it's gonna be the other way around. For selling your used computer might leave some of your data to be harvested, which some of them might be your crypto wallets. Nevertheless, it is still will not happen if you do all the precaution to erase your data before selling them.

That's the very reason why we needed to replace the hard drive when we will going to buy or sell our used computers, hard drive stored your data
so this equipment always play the role so in any events replacing it will not do any damage, wise buyers and sellers will not allow this data to be recovered
so they will pay attentions and replaced this one to a new one before or after the deal has been made.

Agreed, you can either fully reformat the hard drive, or even go as far as perform a full disk wipe via windows settings, and then reset up windows and partition a section (eg, 10 GB) and only use that special partition for your crypto-currency stuff.

If you are bothered to do that, just buy a new SSD or HDD to use, but the best way to keep your crypto safe would probably be to use a hardware wallet, because even if your hard drives have malware, it'll be impossible to get hacked due to the 2fa factor a ledger or trezor would add to the equation.

[Arsenyo]

Second-hand computers could have some unpleasant surprises from its previous owner, so it depends on how the previous owner treated it. Buying used does it a great way to save money, but does it worth the risk? So, take care with what you buy and clean it up properly, only then you could be fine with second-hand hardware.

[ss890]

I think if you do things with a little bit of knowledge and attention then there is no issue at all while using cryptocurrency. I know there are still lot of phishing attacks and keyloggers running all around but it's a truth that a little bit of attention while making transactions can save you from scam.

[kayvie]

I think if you do things with a little bit of knowledge and attention then there is no issue at all while using cryptocurrency. I know there are still lot of phishing attacks and keyloggers running all around but it's a truth that a little bit of attention while making transactions can save you from scam.

Using used computer parts is risky, even if you have enough knowledge and pay attention to securing the safety of your wallet, we really can't tell the if it is safe unless you know the seller, you can assure that he won't fool you when it comes to the parts of the computer. But of course, it's better to buy new parts even if it's cheap, just to secure your own safety.

[johnmason92]

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.

[ss890]

I think if you do things with a little bit of knowledge and attention then there is no issue at all while using cryptocurrency. I know there are still lot of phishing attacks and keyloggers running all around but it's a truth that a little bit of attention while making transactions can save you from scam.

Using used computer parts is risky, even if you have enough knowledge and pay attention to securing the safety of your wallet, we really can't tell the if it is safe unless you know the seller, you can assure that he won't fool you when it comes to the parts of the computer. But of course, it's better to buy new parts even if it's cheap, just to secure your own safety.

But the thing is that why do such things? Always buy from genuine part seller and never ever buy second hand especially when you have to do crypto related things on your PC. Moreover never install any third party softwares from unknown sources on your computer and always use genuine windows I think these things are enough to save you from any scam.

[jerry0]

I just thought about something else.


What about if your laptop needs a new battery and say you buy one off ebay?  If you buy a new battery, but its obviously 3rd party and not genuine from manufacturer, any risk in that?  What about a used one or open box?  Can someone put malware in a laptop battery?