Security Question Please...

[GarySeven]

I'm using the latest version and installed it on my desktop, memorized my seed phrase, set my password and moved some coins into my wallet.

Since I have my seed phrase memorized and since I'm using Electrum for cool storage, for security I deleted the program from my Windows computer thinking that I could easily recover my wallet with the seed phrase.

About a month later I wanted to check my balance and so re-installed Electrum and when I did I saw I had the option of opening my wallet or starting a new wallet. I selected to open an existing wallet thinking I would need to enter my seed phrase but instead it only asked my for my password and when entered, there were all my balances.

Why is this? If my computer gets stolen all anyone needs to do is crack my password and they get my coins. I want to remove any trace that Electrum was ever on my computer. Can somebody tell me how to do this please?

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[Zaguru12]

The raw file wasn’t deleted something like the application only was deleted. The file still in the device can be used to recover the wallet even if it is exported out to another device. You need to locate it and delete it also and then you can say you have removed the wallet totally.

Use your system search function and search for “C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Electrum\wallets and look for "default_wallet. Maybe it’s where the file is located.

Now let’s talk about your Method of backing up seed phrase, it’s a bad culture to store them on your Brain. Use an offline back up and store them. It’s better

[Hatchy]

I'm using the latest version and installed it on my desktop, memorized my seed phrase, set my password and moved some coins into my wallet.

Wow, memorized your seed phrase? That's an old and insecured method of storing your seed phrase mate. You may forget them as the human brain tends to do so most times. You should try to put them down and store somewhere safe, even though you still wish to memorize them.

Why is this? If my computer gets stolen all anyone needs to do is crack my password and they get my coins. I want to remove any trace that Electrum was ever on my computer. Can somebody tell me how to do this please?

You should understand that sometimes, uninstalling a software from your device doesn't actually remove its data totally. You have to  delete them locally by locating the file data of your wallet, in the apps location. Most times, I download some other uninstaller software to help me completely remove all data from my system. But you have to be careful not to install or use a malicious app that may steal your wallets data instead.

[hosseinimr93]

I'm using the latest version and installed it on my desktop, memorized my seed phrase, set my password and moved some coins into my wallet.

Are you sure you will remember your seed phrase forever?
You should never rely on memory. Keep your seed phrase somewhere safe. (It's recommended to have multiple copies of your seed phrase in different locations.)

Why is this? If my computer gets stolen all anyone needs to do is crack my password and they get my coins. I want to remove any trace that Electrum was ever on my computer. Can somebody tell me how to do this please?

As stated by above by Zaguru12, you should delete the wallet file.

Visit the link below to see the default location of electrum wallet files.
Where is the Electrum datadir located?

It may worth mentioning that files may be still recoverable after they are deleted.

[Z-tight]

Why is this? If my computer gets stolen all anyone needs to do is crack my password and they get my coins. I want to remove any trace that Electrum was ever on my computer. Can somebody tell me how to do this please?

Anything online is prone to hacking, so what you need is a hardware wallet or an airgapped wallet, so your keys are permanently stored offline, and you do not have to delete and reinstall wallet applications to send, receive or view your BTC balance. You can simply see and do all that in your complementary online watch-only wallet if it is an airgapped set up and in your interface software wallet if it is a hardware set up.

[GarySeven]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I know what to do now to completely delete my information.

It's funny that on this forum people assume that every question is from a newbie. I've had several cold wallets including the Ledger before the notorious data hack, a trezor before it was stolen out of my hotel room and 2 versions of the Bitfi, the latest kept my bitcoin safe but I had to sweep the coins into Electrum as the wallets bricked.

Also if I forget my seed phrase, I'm sure I'll also forget where I stored my super-secret titanium copy. The worst scenario is that I get knocked on the head and forget who I am, but then do my coins mean anything to me anyways? Plus with memorization I can travel world-wide without customs asking me what is this weird little electronic device in my pocket or this note with 12 words on it.

Just sayin'... but thanks for the tips on deleting my files.



Found the Electrum folder, deleted it and am good to go. Thanks again!

[Zaguru12]

It's funny that on this forum people assume that every question is from a newbie. I've had several cold wallets including the Ledger before the notorious data hack, a trezor before it was stolen out of my hotel room and 2 versions of the Bitfi, the latest kept my bitcoin safe but I had to sweep the coins into Electrum as the wallets bricked.

Also if I forget my seed phrase, I'm sure I'll also forget where I stored my super-secret titanium copy. The worst scenario is that I get knocked on the head and forget who I am, but then do my coins mean anything to me anyways? Plus with memorization I can travel world-wide without customs asking me what is this weird little electronic device in my pocket or this note with 12 words on it.

Actually I could not find C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Electrum\wallets even after showing hidden files so I'm thinking I'll just wipe the drives free space and see it that does it.

Firstly nobody is an actually demeaning you as a newbie, the post might looks so but it’s not that. Concerning suggestions been given out here it’s Shouldn’t be what you Should just use, they are just information to add another niche to your own thoughts, moreover they are other people choices so you don’t need to adhere to them. If the memorization suits you better then it’s a good to keep to it. Yes In case of dementia you also forget the storage place of seed phrase but it’s not that case only. A place where you keep the seed phrase is just one item on your brain while the 12 seed phrases are 12 items that can have maybe one forgotten

You can simply search default_ Wallet maybe you can see where it is located.

[m2017]

Why is this? If my computer gets stolen all anyone needs to do is crack my password and they get my coins. I want to remove any trace that Electrum was ever on my computer. Can somebody tell me how to do this please?

If you want program Electrum (or another) to not leave traces on your PC, then use Tails OS. Tails OS is installed on the flash drive from which it is loaded and all files are automatically deleted after completion of work (reboot or shutdown PC). You don’t have to manually search and delete anything on your PC, so as not to leave behind information that is important to you. Tails OS is also pre-installed with Electrum.

Also if I forget my seed phrase, I'm sure I'll also forget where I stored my super-secret titanium copy. The worst scenario is that I get knocked on the head and forget who I am, but then do my coins mean anything to me anyways? Plus with memorization I can travel world-wide without customs asking me what is this weird little electronic device in my pocket or this note with 12 words on it.

It is unlikely that customs will pay attention to a flash drive (with Tails OS), so you can take it on your travels.

It seems to me that it would be more reliable to have a (physical) backup with the seed-phrase in a safe location in case you forget or you "get knocked on the head". It's even better if a trusted person has access to the seed-phrase and can pass it on to you when you're traveling, although this does create additional problems. I think that relying on memory alone and not having backups is reckless. Not to carry with you, but in case of need for restoration (keep in a safe place).

[dkbit98]

memorized my seed phrase

Terrible idea, unless you are repeating your seed words as a mantra every day, and even than I wouldn't count on my brain as a long term ''cold storage''.

Why is this? If my computer gets stolen all anyone needs to do is crack my password and they get my coins. I want to remove any trace that Electrum was ever on my computer. Can somebody tell me how to do this please?

You should format your hard drive and reinstall fresh operating system if you want to be sure to have no traces of electrum wallet.
Another option is to use linux os on usb stick, something like TailsOS won't leave any traces on your computer.

[pooya87]

It's funny that on this forum people assume that every question is from a newbie.

What's wrong with being a newbie?

The worst scenario is that I get knocked on the head and forget who I am, but then do my coins mean anything to me anyways?

Or you could just forget a tiny detail in your seed phrase like what the 9th word were or what were the order of the words with the passage of time...

Plus with memorization I can travel world-wide without customs asking me what is this weird little electronic device in my pocket or this note with 12 words on it.

Hardware wallets are not the only way to create a Bitcoin wallet. You could just write down the phrase inside a book in different pages and nobody would ever know.

[LoyceV]

Since I have my seed phrase memorized and since I'm using Electrum for cool storage, for security I deleted the program from my Windows computer thinking that I could easily recover my wallet with the seed phrase.

Deleting a hot wallet doesn't make it cold storage.

I want to remove any trace that Electrum was ever on my computer. Can somebody tell me how to do this please?

You're going to have to wipe and overwrite your entire hard drive, ideally more than once. But it's much better to create a proper cold wallet, and move your funds there.

It's funny that on this forum people assume that every question is from a newbie.

That's probably because you ask Newbie questions

I've had several cold wallets including the Ledger before the notorious data hack, a trezor before it was stolen out of my hotel room and 2 versions of the Bitfi, the latest kept my bitcoin safe but I had to sweep the coins into Electrum as the wallets bricked.

Your current setup is not a cold wallet, and even hardware wallets are not cold storage (unless you never connect them to an online computer).

To create a real cold wallet using Electrum, you'll need something like this:

Offline and running without hard drive storage:
Get a Linux LIVE DVD. Use Knoppix or Tails for instance, or any other distribution that comes with Electrum pre-installed.
Unplug your internet cable. Close the curtains. Reboot your computer and start up from that DVD. Don't enter any wireless connection password. Keep it offline.
Start Electrum.

Then create a new wallet.

with memorization I can travel world-wide without customs asking me what is this weird little electronic device in my pocket or this note with 12 words on it.

Most people would instantly argue against memorizing the seed phrase, but this is a good scenario in which it can be useful.