Support type for the passphrase

[joker_josue]

There are several supports for the passphrase, such as paper cards and metal cards.
Each of them has its advantages.

I would like to know your opinion:
What kind of support do you usually use to register the passphrase? Why?


Is there some kind of support, which doesn't exist yet but would like to use?

[Upgrade00]

When choosing a material for storing your seed phrase, it's advisable to go for a durable, yet malleable one, which can possibly survive accidents like fire, floods and is also not obvious, to avoid detection.

Paper wallets are called so, but that's not the safest material for storing the seed phrase which accesses ones portfolio, it is prone to so many accidents that can render it invalid;.
• Engraving on a metal sheet (like steel),
• Laser printing etc.
It is also always advisable to have your recovery phrase stored in more than one location.

[Stalker22]

What kind of support do you usually use to register the passphrase? Why?

Most of the passwords and passphrases for my accounts are stored in my password manager. If that is what you meant. It is unquestionably convenient to use password managers, and they are secure because everything is encrypted with a master password. However, I would not trust them for storing seed phrase or private keys for my wallets.

[Charles-Tim]

There are several supports for the passphrase, such as paper cards and metal cards.

Seed phrase is not the same as passphrase.

Seed phrase is required for wallet recovery and needed backup as it generate keys needed for spending bitcoin. Passphrase is not necessary but if added during wallet generation, it gives extra security by generating another keys and addresses different from the ones only seed phrase would have generated. So if only the seed phrase is known, the keys generated can not be accessed as the passphrase is required. If the passphrase is added along while generating a wallet, it is also needed along while importing the seed phrase.

What kind of support do you usually use to register the passphrase? Why?

It depends, but offline backup is necessary.

Have like two other replica and backup in three different locations (if passphrase is included, never backup your seed phrase with your passphrase together or in the same locations, let the backup be different and also in different locations)

Paper backup is not bad. If you can laminate it yourself (do not give it to anyone to help you laminate it), laminate it would be better.

Steel backup is better.

You can read about some backups here but you can make your own research as well: Store your bitcoin seed / private key safely (Water, Fire, Shock-proof)

[joker_josue]

Paper wallets are called so, but that's not the safest material for storing the seed phrase which accesses ones portfolio, it is prone to so many accidents that can render it invalid;.
• Engraving on a metal sheet (like steel),
• Laser printing etc.

Is there any support, besides the ones you mentioned, that you think could be useful, but you haven't found it available on the market yet?

[pakhitheboss]

Apart from paper cards which I think is most commonly used method to store passphrase the need for steel cards only arises when you are not confident about paper. I personally prefer using paper and have already laminated and stored it safely.

There is a new project that I found out on another forum that uses steel but has a very unique way of storing it. You can know more about it on their website.

[lovesmayfamilis]

I don't want to be original, but I'm also not paranoid enough to care that someone could steal my passphrase from me.

In addition, the circle of my acquaintances has no idea what I can know about cryptocurrency. In their eyes, I am a person who is generally far from understanding bitcoin. To them, I look like a lover of social networks and Instagram .

Moreover, I am also a fatalist. Well, something will happen that can lead to loss, so be it. But of course, I keep everything separate from my eyes, and I understand the importance of storage, but engraving a passphrase on metal is too paranoid for me.

[NeuroticFish]

What kind of support do you usually use to register the passphrase? Why?

Is there some kind of support, which doesn't exist yet but would like to use?

Most I prefer paper since it can be easily put anywhere and I can easily make as many copies as I want.
Second would be steel washers, since they are very easy to hide, cheap to be made and very durable.

As you can see, I am not too fond of things that cry "this is your bitcoin seed" to use, although I find most of the collectibles - from coins to banknotes - very nice.
In this chapter I think that DYI coins, where you can add you own private key, are somewhat too few on the market (but I may be very wrong, since I am not that much a collector, hence it's just a feeling).

[aysg76]

Seed phrase is not the same as passphrase.

Many a time people get confused and used these terms the one way only but passphrase is additional security to your seed phrases and must recommended to use it.But the thing is you also need to have the proper backup for them in case it's not compromised at all.

Most I prefer paper since it can be easily put anywhere and I can easily make as many copies as I want.

Paper backup is good but there are some measure you need to take like to store them in place where it's not damaged with moisture as if get wets the words will spread out in ink even after some time causing problems.The other issues you also know that it could be damaged under other conditions also but wr can have multiple copies sorted out at different safe locations which is best according to me.

Second would be steel washers, since they are very easy to hide, cheap to be made and very durable.

Yes that's nice option for me and i have saved one link for the metal that could survive extreme heat conditions and was perfect for this purpose but accidentally deleted it and it was from GitHub.But seed washers are good way to have proper backup for your seeds rather than paper because we are talking about security of funds that could be small or even a fortune.

There are also nice guides on the forum which i liked for this purpose :

1) Securing Your Seed Phrase with Washers

2)n0nce's Steel Washer Backup jig (customisable)

But at last also you need to have your backup secured in multiple locations with full clarity and check out for them if they are in fine condition or not.

[bitmover]

What kind of support do you usually use to register the passphrase? Why?

I definitely think that the most common and most used method is the best, the paper.

Create at least one copy and save it elsewhere.  You can't go wrong.

Even hardware wallets manufacturers recommend that you note down the seed in a paper

[tranthidung]

Metal sheet / card is another version (but better) of paper wallet. You can use it if you have budget for purchasing. However, if you don't have or are not ready to spend budget for it, you can use paper wallet by writing down your private key or seed on paper and keep it safe.

In my opinion, it is better if you write down seed rather than private key. Because it is easier to detect wrong words with seed rather than a long private key. Some wallets such as Electrum wallet can give you hint of potential words when you type first letter of each seed.

• Crypto Security - Additional Protection For Your Seed/Private Keys.

[Stalker22]

There is a new project that I found out on another forum that uses steel but has a very unique way of storing it. You can know more about it on their website.

I have seen such steel plates and templates before, I do not think there is nothing special or unique about them.
Almost all types of the cold storage products sold online were put through a stress test by Jameson Lopp. You can see the results here: Metal Bitcoin Seed Storage Reviews

[aoluain]

There is a new project that I found out on another forum that uses steel but has a very unique way of storing it. You can know more about it on their website.

I have seen such steel plates and templates before, I do not think there is nothing special or unique about them.
Almost all types of the cold storage products sold online were put through a stress test by Jameson Lopp. You can see the results here: Metal Bitcoin Seed Storage Reviews

I use a Stainless Steel stamped plate for my seed phrases similar to this one >

Stainless steel Bitcoin Recovery Seed Plate

I made a similar one myself because I have he metal cutting and shaping tools
myself. Stainless Steel doesnt corrode, its water proof and being steel wont catch fire and
if its thick enough wont melt too easy ^{apologies for the non-scientific descriptions!}

It can also be attached anywhere you want with the peace of mind it will remail intact
through all eventualities.

[juankestein]

Apart from paper cards which I think is most commonly used method to store passphrase the need for steel cards only arises when you are not confident about paper. I personally prefer using paper and have already laminated and stored it safely.

There is a new project that I found out on another forum that uses steel but has a very unique way of storing it. You can know more about it on their website.

I designed and manufactured the product you cited, happy to answer any questions you or anyone may have about it!

[Marvelman]

My seed phrase is written on plain paper and stored in an inconspicuous location. The chances of robbers looking there in the event of a possible burglary seem very slim. I consider this an adequate solution for the time being.

[witcher_sense]

What kind of support do you usually use to register the passphrase? Why?

A reasonable person would prefer not to answer your question because disclosing your own setup extremely weakens the security of funds. I'd say if the DIY security solution is based on reliable non-DIY algorithms, you are doing it right. For example, don't use self-invented encryption methods to hide your seed because you're unlikely to come up with something that is more strong than current encryption algorithms. Moreover, the specification for your algorithm exists only in your memory,  whereas standard algorithms can be found on the Internet (unlikely to be forgotten by everyone at once). As for materials to back up your seed words, the choice will depend on many factors, including a location you live in. Maybe you are living under an authoritarian regime and planning to flee your country in the foreseeable future. In that case, engraving seed words on a metal plate wouldn't be a very smart idea since (1) a metal plate is easily recognizable and confiscatable, (2) it is indestructible (but you don't want to leave your seed words behind).

[NeuroticFish]

A reasonable person would prefer not to answer your question because disclosing your own setup extremely weakens the security of funds.

If one uses the most common solutions, he cannot weaken the security since the thieves will clearly seek for those if they come for bitcoin.
Of course, this is correct as long as one won't give extra details
It worth mentioning that one of the best solutions to not "weakens the security of funds" is to avoid boasting about owning bitcoins.

I'd say if the DIY security solution is based on reliable non-DIY algorithms, you are doing it right. For example, don't use self-invented encryption methods to hide your seed because you're unlikely to come up with something that is more strong than current encryption algorithms. Moreover, the specification for your algorithm exists only in your memory,  whereas standard algorithms can be found on the Internet (unlikely to be forgotten by everyone at once). As for materials to back up your seed words, the choice will depend on many factors, including a location you live in. Maybe you are living under an authoritarian regime and planning to flee your country in the foreseeable future. In that case, engraving seed words on a metal plate wouldn't be a very smart idea since (1) a metal plate is easily recognizable and confiscatable, (2) it is indestructible (but you don't want to leave your seed words behind).

The more non-standard is the solution, the more the need to keep the seed at hand to avoid forgetting about it, hence weaken it.
The more complicated is the solution, especially if it contains steps or passwords only you know, the more the chance those funds will be lost, sooner or later (memory is sooo unreliable and fragile...)
So even if it's based on known and reliable algorithms, I recommend to be used something very simple and known.

And I agree though about metal plate like solutions. I've even written to such a solution that the metal plate looks better as a collectible to be displayed than something to hide with the seed.

[Pmalek]

Overdoing it and overprotecting yourself can have negative consequences. A pen and paper does the trick most of the time. Just make sure that you have multiple copies in different locations and that no one who isn't supposed to know has access to it. If you get robbed, your seed shouldn't be somewhere an intelligent thief would look. Obviously, I am not going to tell you where mine are.

I also like certain ways of hiding the seed in plain sight. I won't go into more details about that either. The idea is to not draw any attention to yourself.

[joker_josue]

Thanks for your responses.
I emphasize that I am talking about the seed and not a password. Ways to save the seed. 

I raised this question, because I would like to understand a safe way to save the seed but be at the same time simple and practical.
It is true that one of the best ways is to use metal cards, but most of these systems are not very practical.

Do you have any idea of a system, with a level of security against calamities, that was practical and simple to use?

[NeuroticFish]

Do you have any idea of a system, with a level of security against calamities, that was practical and simple to use?

The usual answer is: multiple copies in geographically different locations. Of course, this won't work with expensive/collectible items, so we're back to basic/cheap ways to store. If you have enough of them in enough places, at least one will prevail. Of course, you have to be cautious enough to keep it safe from "curious eyes".

And if you like more complicated things, multisig wallet or "Shamir Secret Sharing Scheme" together with the multiple copies.