Any public Electrum servers that don't track/log user data?

[zabzob]

I'm planning on setting up my own Electrum server to access my wallet with optimal privacy. But it's going to be a couple months before I'll be able to get it up and running. So meanwhile, I'm wondering which server or servers to use in case I need to access the wallet before my own server is ready. I realize there's no way to know for sure, other than having your own server; but are there any that have at least a relatively good reputation for not snooping on users?

[PX-Z]

There is no reliable way to tell whether a given public Electrum server actually doesn't log or track user data, because anyone can run a server and decide their own logging practices. Unless someone from here, at least trusted user, "claim" they don't do such practice on their electrum server, which also mean you need to trust them for that.

[zabzob]

There is no reliable way to tell whether a given public Electrum server actually doesn't log or track user data, because anyone can run a server and decide their own logging practices. Unless someone from here, at least trusted user, "claim" they don't do such practice on their electrum server, which also mean you need to trust them for that.

That's what I figured, thanks.

[nc50lc]

-snip-
I realize there's no way to know for sure, other than having your own server; but are there any that have at least a relatively good reputation for not snooping on users?

Reputation is relative, but if you're looking a famous service's server who claims that they do not keep logs;
Blockstream's server has it.

Here's what the console tab shows once you connect to their server.

"Welcome to electrum.blockstream.info - no logs and Tor support - Please learn about running your own server!"

But don't take this as a vouch since it's not possible to confirm that claim.

[TryNinja]

LoyceV has his own server and I trust him enough to believe he is not tracking anyone.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5554840.0

You can also send transactions with sub 1 sat/vByte fees, so a plus…

[Charles-Tim]

Do not trust any central server, but you can make some servers mentioned your choice if you like. Regardless of how the central servers are, just make sure you use Tor for anonymity which is very important.

Only what you can trust is your own server, also with Tor which makes it better for privacy.

[Yamane_Keto]

Ask in this thread private Electrum Server [bitcointalk members only] to see if this service is still active.
The easiest way is to use Tor, and distribute your bitcoin across multiple new wallets using new servers.

[satscraper]

I'm planning on setting up my own Electrum server to access my wallet with optimal privacy. But it's going to be a couple months before I'll be able to get it up and running. So meanwhile, I'm wondering which server or servers to use in case I need to access the wallet before my own server is ready. I realize there's no way to know for sure, other than having your own server; but are there any that have at least a relatively good reputation for not snooping on users?

Regarding privacy, I wouldn’t connect Electrum to any public server because they’re likely to gather information that may threaten your privacy. But if you need to use one, I’d suggest routing Electrum traffic through Tor ^{SOCKS5 proxy, port 9050, Tor must be installed and running, preferably via bridge} and rotating public servers on regular basis. But be aware that some Tor exit nodes may be compromised, so running your own private node is the best solution.

[nc50lc]

For those who are concerned about if OP is using clearnet connection (I noticed that it's recommended a couple of times);
You can refer to his other thread where he said that he's using Tor in another client (Sparrow), here's the link:  /index.php?topic=5490962.msg63878612#msg63878612
With that, it's most likely that he's also using Tor in his Electrum client.

[Forsyth Jones]

Perhaps this will help: if you have an unpruned Bitcoin Core node, you can easily use Sparrow Wallet to connect to your Bitcoin Core node without needing complex configurations involving an Electrum server. I'm currently doing this.

See > https://sparrowwallet.com/docs/connect-node.html

If I'm not mistaken, Wasabi also connects to your Bitcoin Core or Knots node without any prior configuration, if it detects a node on localhost.

Electrum could offer this feature as well... currently, running an Electrum server is very complex. 

[nc50lc]

Electrum could offer this feature as well... currently, running an Electrum server is very complex.  :-\

Now that you've mentioned it, ThomasV opened an issue about that but the context seems that he doesn't have the time to work on it personally.
I can only see this getting implemented if someone were to pick-up this feature request issue: Issue 8142: Fix EPS and build it into Electrum
If only EPS wasn't discontinued.

On a side note; I can see why OP is taking years to setup his own Electrum server :P

[satscraper]

With that, it's most likely that he's also using Tor in his Electrum client.

Then the IP related concern might be eliminated for OP, so that their addresses can no longer be linked to their IP. However public servers  ^{even when accessed through Tor} may still retain other privacy sensitive info such as address balances, transaction history and similar data. Because of that, I think the best solution for OP  ^{after running their own node} would be to create new wallet ^{new  SEED} and move their funds to fresh addresses associated with that wallet.

[nc50lc]

With that, it's most likely that he's also using Tor in his Electrum client.

-snip-

I'm well aware of that, thank you.

The main context of my post is to inform that OP is also aware of the advantages of using Tor instead of clearnet.
And since the main concern of the OP is about a possible "zero-log" server, it's easily deducible that he's also knowledgeable on the privacy concerns of connecting to a public Electrum server.

[zabzob]

Thanks for all these helpful replies. I am using Tor, but even with Tor there's the issue of addresses, transaction history, and wallet balance being visible to whoever is running the public server. True, running an electrum server is complex, and not worth the trouble IMO. I'm planning on migrating from Electrum to Sparrow, but even to do that I have to set up an electrum server if I don't want all the info from the migration leaking to the server owner  

[nc50lc]

I'm planning on migrating from Electrum to Sparrow, but even to do that I have to set up an electrum server -snip-

Why? Are you planning on sending the entire balance to Sparrow so you'll need to connect Electrum to a public server?
Because if so, you don't have to.

You can do that entirely using Sparrow, all you need is a backup of your Electrum wallet file and import it to Sparrow,
Then use that imported wallet to send your funds to a new Sparrow wallet. It supports multiple separate wallet instances.

Or are you talking about also using your personal Electrum server in Sparrow instead of Bitcoin Core as server?

[zabzob]

I'm planning on migrating from Electrum to Sparrow, but even to do that I have to set up an electrum server -snip-

Why? Are you planning on sending the entire balance to Sparrow so you'll need to connect Electrum to a public server?
Because if so, you don't have to.

You can do that entirely using Sparrow, all you need is a backup of your Electrum wallet file and import it to Sparrow,
Then use that imported wallet to send your funds to a new Sparrow wallet. It supports multiple separate wallet instances.

Or are you talking about also using your personal Electrum server in Sparrow instead of Bitcoin Core as server?

.

Thanks so much for this, I didn't know that was possible. Yes, I want to send the entire balance from the Electrum wallet to a new Sparrow wallet. So if I understand correctly, it's not possible to import into Sparrow using the Electrum seed phrase, but you can do it with a wallet backup file? Awesome, I'll go that route.

One more question: how do I get the Electrum backup file without connecting to a server? Should I just open the Electrum wallet while offline?

[nc50lc]

One more question: how do I get the Electrum backup file without connecting to a server? Should I just open the Electrum wallet while offline?

Yes, if you prefer it with the GUI, simply use "File->Save Backup" menu while Electrum is offline.
If you want to get it manually, you can copy it from ".electrum/wallets" while Electrum isn't running.

BTW, if it has "secrets-only encryption", it might not work in Sparrow.
But if it's fully encrypted, it should import without issues.

[ABCbits]

Thanks for all these helpful replies. I am using Tor, but even with Tor there's the issue of addresses, transaction history, and wallet balance being visible to whoever is running the public server. True, running an electrum server is complex, and not worth the trouble IMO. I'm planning on migrating from Electrum to Sparrow, but even to do that I have to set up an electrum server if I don't want all the info from the migration leaking to the server owner  

Have you considder migrating to wallet that use BIP 157 protocol? It allows wallet obtain TX data while maintaining privacy, but sync process is much slower than simply using electrum server. Last time i checked, only Wasabi and Ginger wallet support it.

[zabzob]

Thanks for all these helpful replies. I am using Tor, but even with Tor there's the issue of addresses, transaction history, and wallet balance being visible to whoever is running the public server. True, running an electrum server is complex, and not worth the trouble IMO. I'm planning on migrating from Electrum to Sparrow, but even to do that I have to set up an electrum server if I don't want all the info from the migration leaking to the server owner  

Have you considder migrating to wallet that use BIP 157 protocol? It allows wallet obtain TX data while maintaining privacy, but sync process is much slower than simply using electrum server. Last time i checked, only Wasabi and Ginger wallet support it.

This is the first I'm hearing of BIP 157, thanks. I'll check it out, but think it would be easier for me to go with Sparrow, since I'm already running a full node.