Can my Bitcoin be stolen

[ranochigo]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

[jonald_fyookball]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

Can you please explain how "has never and will never" is better than just "will never" touch the net

[ranochigo]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

Can you please explain how "has never and will never" is better than just "will never" touch the net

I guess what you said is right, but couldn't the one that have touched the internet and infected with virus affect the outcome of the address calculation?
-ranochigo

[jonald_fyookball]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

Can you please explain how "has never and will never" is better than just "will never" touch the net

I guess what you said is right, but couldn't the one that have touched the internet and infected with virus affect the outcome of the address calculation?
-ranochigo

you're right. 

[Gimmelfarb]

yes, there are more and more ways everyday people are trying to steal bitcoins. step 1: encrypt your wallet (set up a very strong password and don't store your password openly on a text file or anything)

be wary of unreputable traders and get-rich-quick btc-denominated investment schemes, too......

[bryant.coleman]

There are two major threats for Bitcoin storage.

1. Theft: Hackers might use phishing sites or keyloggers to steal your coins. Use advanced anti-Virus to prevent such attacks.
2. Loss of Private Key: Sometimes, the offline backup or the private key might be lost for ever (by mistake). There is no way to regenerate it, and if you lose the private key, then all of your coins will be gone.

[abercrombie]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

I do this.  

I boot up Ubuntu via a USB key using "try it now" instead of a full installation.

I have a local copy of bitaddress.org saved.  

Then I generate some addresses and save to a USB key.  Copy public addresses then stash away the USB key.

This way, the private addresses never gets online.

[Minnlo]

If someone has access to my PC

If your wallet has been encrypted with a strong password, it is still safe.

if i am infected by a virus

Both your wallet file and your password could be captured, and your bitcoin will be gone very soon. 

[Minnlo]

+1 for cold storage (creating and maintaining your wallet in a device with no internet connection).
BTW, it is so ironic to see this advice from TF lol.

[usupnaruto]

means that we can not keep all important files on our computer because it will be very detrimental when it all happened

[ranochigo]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

I do this.  

I boot up Ubuntu via a USB key using "try it now" instead of a full installation.

I have a local copy of bitaddress.org saved.  

Then I generate some addresses and save to a USB key.  Copy public addresses then stash away the USB key.

This way, the private addresses never gets online.

That works quite well, the whole process doesn't let the computer touch the internet.

-snip-

+1 for cold storage (creating and maintaining your wallet in a device with no internet connection).
BTW, it is so ironic to see this advice from TF lol.

At least he didn't say to put it at third party wallet service..

[Faince1985]

Yes Of course, the data will be included in your device memory and therefore are available for the taking "by spywares or curious people" and even having a password doesn't provide absolute protection.

[ranochigo]

No, if I you have a cold offline wallet then not possible.
 

 
 
 

HOWEVER, if you do not take sufficient security measure when creating a cold wallet, it is possible to get hacked.

[polunna]

Of course, it can be stolen. This is one of the main problems of digital currency

[byt411]

Of course, it can be stolen. This is one of the main problems of digital currency

No, it is not a problem if you know how to take security seriously.

No, if I you have a cold offline wallet then not possible.

HOWEVER, if you do not take sufficient security measure when creating a cold wallet, it is possible to get hacked.

Correct. If your computer hasn't been 100% offline, then it's still vulnerable.

[ranlo]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

I do this. 

I boot up Ubuntu via a USB key using "try it now" instead of a full installation.

I have a local copy of bitaddress.org saved. 

Then I generate some addresses and save to a USB key.  Copy public addresses then stash away the USB key.

This way, the private addresses never gets online.

Someone brought up BIOS-based viruses, though. Would it be possible for someone to have the key snagged and stored in the BIOS somehow, then when you load up the computer normally and go online, it would send in the information? I've been pretty amazed at the tricks people have come up with in the past...

[byt411]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

I do this. 

I boot up Ubuntu via a USB key using "try it now" instead of a full installation.

I have a local copy of bitaddress.org saved. 

Then I generate some addresses and save to a USB key.  Copy public addresses then stash away the USB key.

This way, the private addresses never gets online.

Someone brought up BIOS-based viruses, though. Would it be possible for someone to have the key snagged and stored in the BIOS somehow, then when you load up the computer normally and go online, it would send in the information? I've been pretty amazed at the tricks people have come up with in the past...

I did. The BIOS has no memory, but however, it does not need to have so. It can just transmit the data from the USB stick to the hard drive, and then upload it to the hacker whenever the PC is online.

[harlenadler]

Bitcoin can be stolen, sure. Lots of malware these days. Also, be careful with 3rd party wallets, exchanges etc -- basically, any other entity that controls your coins. If they have your private keys, it means you don't have control over your bitcoins. And then.....poof!

[ShameOnYou]

I advise setting up paper wallets or other cold storage mediums so that the majority of your bitcoins are not kept on a computer that can be accessed online. Because yes, there are many hackers and the like that want to get their dirty hands on your coins! Take precautions!

[ranlo]

Generate a paper wallet from a offline linux computer that has never and will never touch the internet. and never use an offchain/third-party wallet, always have full access to your coins.
-ranochigo

I do this. 

I boot up Ubuntu via a USB key using "try it now" instead of a full installation.

I have a local copy of bitaddress.org saved. 

Then I generate some addresses and save to a USB key.  Copy public addresses then stash away the USB key.

This way, the private addresses never gets online.

Someone brought up BIOS-based viruses, though. Would it be possible for someone to have the key snagged and stored in the BIOS somehow, then when you load up the computer normally and go online, it would send in the information? I've been pretty amazed at the tricks people have come up with in the past...

I did. The BIOS has no memory, but however, it does not need to have so. It can just transmit the data from the USB stick to the hard drive, and then upload it to the hacker whenever the PC is online.

Is this a legitimate fear, though, or just something that may or may not actually be possible? I'm not familiar enough with the BIOS to know how this all works.

And you can short it out to reset it prior to running any wallet generator on the system, right?