Hi all,
i use bitcoin core v0.17.1 for store my bitcoins,
What can I do to get a good backup?
I used the dumpwallet command and I followed the backup procedures from the GUI by putting all the files on an encrypted usb pen.
but I read that from the xpriv(private masterkey) derived all the wallets created following precisely the xpriv, but that the xpriv was created by the root seed (in fact a part of the xpriv is the same for all the wallets).
Is it possible to extract the root seed?
does the root seed have to be encrypted in some way to avoid being vulnerable?
or am I just getting too worried and don't have to think about root seeds?
thank you.
BTCAs far as i understand it, the root seed is basically what generates the extended master private key, (master private key + "chain code")
See:
The root seed is hashed to create 512 bits of seemingly-random data, from which the master private key and master chain code are created (together, the master extended private key). The master public key is derived from the master private key using point()
Is it possible to extract the root seed?
And as far as i can see, there is no way of directly exporting the root seed out of Bitcoin core. Dumpwallet will give you the extended master private key, but not the seed from which it was computed..?
(I'm actually quite curious myself to know if this is possible, but i doubt it.)
does the root seed have to be encrypted in some way to avoid being vulnerable?
If you're storing your extended master private key in a potentially insecure environment, i'd indeed recommend to encrypt it, yes. An attacker will be able to regenerate your entire wallet if you don't.