How i keep my private keys safe without hardware wallet

[lobat999]

This is how i keep my private keys safe since i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.

I think you could put your private keys together with important credentials like pass phrases, username and passwords to other sites like web wallets, account in exchanges, etc.,  to an encrypted password manager like KeePass and protect it with a master password then after that, partition your harddisk into two drives - C: and D: and make an encrypted volume in drive D:with the use of an encryption software like Veracrypt, etc. and once done, copy your encrypted password manager file to the encrypted volume and disconnect your harddrive from the system unit and keep it somewhere safe.

In the event your that your harddrive is stolen, the thief will surely find it very difficult to access your encrypted file in an encrypted harddrive and wouldn't even notice that there were important data in that harddrive of yours.

2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well

Your recovery seeds are almost like  private keys and its not advisable to just write it down on a recording book which is very insecure in nature. Use a password protected spreadsheet app like excel to store your important records and store it also an encrypted volume in your harddisk  as mentioned above.

3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.

You can encrypt your flash drive also and password protect it. Additionally, you could make another redundant back up as well.

Just a reminder: "Encryption is the key to security".

[Neo.op]

Having a flash drive and putting a password to it that you can always remember by heart is a good way of keeping privaye keys. I would never write it somewhere on PC or to a notebook, because you know if someone reashes it, your all assets are gone. If you keep them somewhere safer, it will be hard to reach so your keys will be in safe hands.

[FaucetKING]

You shall read more about the differences between the private key definitions and the hardware wallets definition. The private key could be stored safely when you write it on a paper and save it in a safe, really safe place. You'll not need anything else more than that paper to save your holdings in. Don't fear and don't be acting like that, it's fine.

[Denlon]

This is how i keep my private keys safe since i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.

2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well

3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.

At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.

Ooo yeah. You very good keep anonymity you private keys. Keep up the good work.

[manok jepang]

Indeed, it has become fundamental in securing our wallet, if I only store it on a PC (which is given a password) and upload it to Google Drive, if at any time the PC / Laptop is empty, then there is a request on Google Drive. I recommend storing private keys in pdf files and online in dropbox. Because if one day my offline file is missing or wrong, I can still download my file in the dropbox.

[Byakuga]

This is how i keep my private keys safe since i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.

2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well

3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.

At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.

Harddisk can get damaged without using them and same as flash drives too, paper wallet is better although it can get burnt but keeping it in a safe locker is better, i like using new email account to keep private keys, i don't use the email for any other things except keeping private keys inside

[kramchers]

save it in a notepad or any kind of words app and store it on a safe folder which cannot be easily find (hide it)
Put a password on your computer and never share it to anyone. Like me i dont let any one borrow my PC and i am the only one who know the password.

[yulchatar]

I have a hardware wallet but nevertheless, I also store passwords and keys on paper and only I have access these records. Perhaps this is not a very modern method, but rather reliable.

[Rune]

I think storing your Private keys in mutiple forms is best. Paper and usb sticks hardware wallet is good to.
just dont leave every copy in one place in case of a fire you can always get a safety deposit box

[Plecet Bank]

I once lost a coin from the Airdrop result. At that time I gave me the wrong wallet address and what I gave was a private key. I saved my private key in WPS Office and mixed it with other data.

So it became a mistake that I thought was very heavy. I was lucky because inside the wallet there was only one type of coin proceeds from Airdrop. Now I keep it in a place that I think is safe. I have two computer devices and that one serves to save the data. And now I have minimal errors and the computer also can not be hacked.

[dataispower]

Good, although I've got a ledger nano S, which to me is affordable. I also use a personal book to write down mnemonic phrases and private keys. I have a metal trunk where I keep my important stuff, that's where I keep the book. So even though my friends and family come around, nobody gets access to the trunk. Well, everything that has an advantage also has a disadvantage, hence we should weigh both sides and choose the best safety measures to safeguard our private keys. Thanks

[lobat999]

This is how i keep my private keys safe since i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.

2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well

3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.

At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.

One last thing, even though you've exercised the utmost security practices in protecting your sensitive information such as placing it in a secure medium and in a safe place doesn't mean you will be complacent with your security setup and let your guard down!

I guess you forget that there are other ways that your private keys might be obtained, maybe with a phishing technique through unsolicited emails, manipulated links and pop up messages, etc - all of this are techniques employed by intruders to gain access to your important information such as private keys, etc (without even touching your harddisk physically!). I hope you should be aware of this and be vigilant always before its too late!

[dirgayeah]

Nice tips dude. but until right now, maybe most people are not doing this way.
My self still doing old school method with burning all of my important file into DVD rom. To avoid virus, and maybe deleted from another way (exactly we will not this happen). All you guys think this way still worth? 

[TGD]

Securing our trezor in terms of missing it out or events that people gets it is really alarming that's why as much as possible still have other ways like those OP stated but still be sure on where you put and left it, example the printed datas or if we prefer to print better make it a mini notebook were you can paste those prints and secure in some fireproof and waterproof small cases along with your important files. But be very careful on whom you discuss your earnings with to avoid envy by others.

[samcrypto]

why you can't buy a hardware wallet? its cost is about 50 dollars. the actions you did are much more complicated than just buying a wallet

I’m thinking about this one too and I feel like the process are more complicated than using a hardware wallet. Ledger is a good one and you don’t need another hard drive to protect your wallet because its already on the ledger and all you have to do is to keep your private keys away from anyone.

[ecnalubma]

Hardware wallets are good investment if you have a serious amount of cryptocurrencies its the best choice in my opinion. But its individuals responsibility on how they keep their private keys safe no matter what method they apply.

[voltesbit777]

This is how i keep my private keys safe since i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.

2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well

3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.

At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.

Nice idea that you shared here, I also do not have a Hardware wallet, because it is a great idea to order it online on amazon if I'm not mistaken, one of the things you mentioned I do is Flash drive or USB if call all private key, seed phrase and password as well as addresses saved, while no nano ledger for storing my coins. I can only ask if you saved it from your pc. You saved the pc passwords and private keys do you delete them too?

[Cheesus]

Such wise ways to take to protect your coins. Don't need a hardware wallet if you take care like this. Never connect your hard disk, or Pendrive with internet to be 100% secure. I heard some hackers can hack all the money only by an email! So, whenever you have enough money, buy a hardware wallet first.

[ccsang]

Thanks for the idea, I think the title is misunderstanding because hardware wallet keep our private key but we still need to keep the 24-word recovery phrase. My choice is 2 because most of the time the safe ways to keep our private key/seed is write down in a book or paper, keep it's on flash driver is another option if confirm pc is 100% clean and not infected virus.

[joinfree]

I think your  strategy  is great  i will share  with my friend  who computer got hacked  remotely by the time he realize most of his  tokens were  gone. But I am going to use this strategy  as well  thanks  for sharing.