How i keep my private keys safe without hardware wallet

[Chikito]

the best way is to put the private key on secure hardware and back up the flash disk which is used to put your private key only. and when accessing your wallet, you must be very careful and double-check the wallet site if you are not using a hardware wallet

Your solution isn't the best way when still connect on a hard disk or flash disk,
When you scrolling up this post, I wrote something about harddisk/flash disk

1. I have hard disk never used, When I try to use and connect to PC, my hard disk warn me to format it, I can't open my harddisk and lost my data.
you have to read this https://superuser.com/questions/284427/how-much-time-until-an-unused-hard-drive-loses-its-data

[batang_bitcoin]

I am hoolding bitcoin and Eth. And i don't use that wallet for regular trade . I just printed my private key in a paper and locked in my locker. I Don’t keep my wallet in external hard disk or pendrive ( for holding long time) because if it crash i will lost my private key.

That's also my concern if I'll save mine with hard drive or a flash drive. But having both written and saved on a hard drive that isn't being used for the meanwhile and you will access it when you will sell, I think it's a good backup. That would be the risk of being crash or broken if you misplaced it but you have a back up in a written form which everyone does.

now i am not afraid because there is no way to hack or crash my disk or pendrive      

It's contradicting, does this means that you're also using it?

[coinswebid]

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.

from all your reason above, the point is keep your private keys outside from your computer or leptop mate
maybe thats the only way to keep our private keys safe

[Eildosa]

Yes, a hardware wallet will provide you with better security, but if you cant buy it, it is quite possible to do without it. You do everything right, we need to take care of safety as much as possible.

[Lmaooo]

pretty good information, but some people have their own way to store private keys without hard wallets. I myself currently use a flash disk to store it. besides that, I also store it in a WinRAR with password, and it is stored in some online storage. Well, I'm sure it's very difficult to realize that these are private keys.

Yes, Flash drive is one of the old ways of saving your private key and yet still effective. You need to have a separate flash drive for storing your private key never use the flash drive you use every day because it may likely get infected with a computer virus. After you save the private key on a flash drive you can make backups on either a hard drive or cloud backup. make backups in case you lose your flash drive.

[letyouearn]

The most secure and the most brutal way to store your passwords and private keys is a notebook for sure. No electronic stuff or anything potentially hackable, just paper and a good pen

[nasipadang]

I prefer to store private key online wallet on my PC, what you are doing is too complicated, especially to save it in three places. I save it on a PC and no one can turn on my PC because I gave a password. My PC is also connected to the cloud drive, I can control my data from the personal network. I think all the things done can be damaged, I mean there must be a weakness in storage, for example if you save in a book it could be lost, including the network that I created could be attacked.

[Chikito]

I prefer to store the private key online wallet on my PC,

Are you don't know how hacker access your PC?
How to avoiding Hacker trying to infect your computer
You should read this: https://www.bullguard.com/blog/2015/04/how-hackers-access-your-computer.html

for example, if you save in a book it could be lost

Yes, same when you keep it on your PC it could be hacked.
On this case, Book never online and never hijacked by the hacker on the internet. It will be very safe when you care to keep it

[iamaruf]

I am hoolding bitcoin and Eth. And i don't use that wallet for regular trade . I just printed my private key in a paper and locked in my locker. I Don’t keep my wallet in external hard disk or pendrive ( for holding long time) because if it crash i will lost my private key.

That's also my concern if I'll save mine with hard drive or a flash drive. But having both written and saved on a hard drive that isn't being used for the meanwhile and you will access it when you will sell, I think it's a good backup. That would be the risk of being crash or broken if you misplaced it but you have a back up in a written form which everyone does.

now i am not afraid because there is no way to hack or crash my disk or pendrive      

It's contradicting, does this means that you're also using it?

I am not using this for my long term holding.I keep my private key in pendrive for my daily trading not for long time holding. Because sometimes need to use coin thats why I stored my private key in pendrive.But I have different wallet one for holding and one for regular use.Holding one is stored in a paper.

[AliMan]

My own version of keeping my private keys, simply I would create a back up of them through excel file protected with password encryption. This file should be equipped of all the details I had for crypto assets spect the private keys of my wallet, as well as the google password and emails. For now I still have no proper filing, and hopefully I can work it out as soon as possible including hard copies compilation.

[Best Dreams]

The best way i keep my private key is writing it down somewhere on a notebook and keeping it safely in my wardrobe at home. i have also abstain from getting to search or click any form of Ads online. Though Hardware is the best method but i personally have been able to keep my private keys safe by making sure i safe them in my flashdrive and keeping it from friends.

Even if you will write your key you could forget it so use wallet that always reminds you the private key and don't share your private key with anyone it can help them to hack your account and all your coins could get lost I use to keep my private key in my phone and I don’t share about it with unknowns ever.

[batang_bitcoin]

~snip~

I am not using this for my long term holding.I keep my private key in pendrive for my daily trading not for long time holding. Because sometimes need to use coin thats why I stored my private key in pendrive.But I have different wallet one for holding and one for regular use.Holding one is stored in a paper.

Okay, I've understood it now. Because I've got confused with what you've said that's why I've asked if you're also using it. As you have said about pendrive and there's no way to hack it. Be careful with malware because they can make your file there corrupt although you have a back up but still just mount it to the PC that you are using. Don't mount it almost everywhere and I do think that you are aware of it.

[princerepon]

I am hoolding bitcoin and Eth. And i don't use that wallet for regular trade . I just printed my private key in a paper and locked in my locker. I Don’t keep my wallet in external hard disk or pendrive ( for holding long time) because if it crash i will lost my private key.now i am not afraid because there is no way to hack or crash my disk or pendrive      

Well that's great idea that you use different wallet for trade and holding. But why do you think that your disk or pendrive will not be hack or crash..? Cause it's possible that somehow your PC/Laptop attack by virus and then your pendrive..!! How can you be so sure that it won't happen to your pendrive..??

[shaheer001]

If you can not afford a hardware wallet then buy cheap pc and install the new window and anti-virus then store all your private keys, passwords, and other precious data there and never try to connect this pc to the internet and one more important point never permit anyone to use this private pc.

[JCviggen]

If you can not afford a hardware wallet then buy cheap pc and install the new window and anti-virus then store all your private keys, passwords, and other precious data there and never try to connect this pc to the internet and one more important point never permit anyone to use this private pc.

any cold wallet will cost less than any computer. I don’t understand people who say that they don’t have money for a cold wallet. If you do not have $ 100 for a wallet, then you do not need to worry that your funds will be lost. you don’t have so much money

[HighRed]

The cheapest way is to keep your keys on paper. Just write them down and keep them somewhere safe. Extra funds required: $0 (Since you probably have a pen and paper lying around somewhere) Just make sure you don't keep it somewhere it could get damaged or stolen easily. For example your physical wallet would be a poor option. You can keep it in a small safe box if you want. Also consider encrypting your keys so you don't lose it all even if it gets stolen.

Personally the keys I keep on my PC have lower amounts of balance but I use cold storage for my HODLing coins. And I have several copies in case it gets damaged or lost.

[Arkann]

Perhaps I will say something very strange, but for a more secure preservation of my secret keys, you can use the old and proven method using a printer and paper.  Or manually rewrite the keys on paper and store them in a safe, away from fire.  I believe that at home a fire is much less common than hacking and data theft by hackers.  If everyone is worried about the security of their computers and their cold wallet, then it is better to follow this example, which I am talking about.

[TheUltraElite]

Perhaps I will say something very strange, but for a more secure preservation of my secret keys, you can use the old and proven method using a printer and paper.  Or manually rewrite the keys on paper and store them in a safe, away from fire.  I believe that at home a fire is much less common than hacking and data theft by hackers. 

Fire is pretty common if you check the statistics of disasters occurring in the world. Secondly it is not just fire but also water and animals which chew on paper to end up in their stomach and then in their poop.

If everyone is worried about the security of their computers and their cold wallet, then it is better to follow this example, which I am talking about.

Nah, it not which is why security experts do no recommend it. But nice of you to put it in thought.

The better way is to go for a hardware wallet or an airgapped linux distro which has been prepared for this purpose and never made online. Though this is not very difficult to set up, it needs expertise and knowledge on part of the owner of the wallet.

[Chikito]

any cold wallet will cost less than any computer.

The second Computer he means with Pentium III or IV prices will be less than a hardware wallet.

If you have hardware wallet it is better to use wallet that have metamask.

He doesn't have money to buy a hardware wallet

i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.

[mascherono]

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

You are right enough. It looks like the process is complicated.