Sound Wallet Stores Your Private Keys on Vinyl

[newflesh]

Only just stumbled across this, wouldn't mind having my keys on a slab of vinyl

http://www.coindesk.com/new-sound-wallet-stores-private-keys-vinyl/

For digital currency users looking to secure their e-fortune, one project is offering a new way to store private keys: on vinyl.

Sound Wallet promises to store users’ private keys as encrypted audio files across a range of products – including CDs and 7-inch vinyl disks.

Theodore Goodman, the brains behind the project, said he used the iconic format as it is the “ultimate archive medium”.
Records, tapes and digital audio

According to the product’s website, Sound Wallets can be used to store any cryptocurrency, not just bitcoin.

To construct the wallet, a user’s BIP38-encrypted private key is first converted into a sound file. Between 30 and 60 seconds long, this file will simply sound like noise to prying ears.

However, using a simple spectroscope app like AndroSpectro on their phone, the user can decipher their code hidden in the static. Alternatively, any high-resolution spectroscope should do.

The same approach can be used with different media, including CDs and magnetic tapes. This also means that a user’s wallet file could be broadcast, at least in theory.

While Sound Wallet may not appeal to mainstream users, this security-minded product may prove popular with technophiles and audiophiles.

Goodman argues that cold storage is the safest way to secure cryptocurrencies, pointing out some advantages vinyl has over other physical wallets.

He adds that records can outlive memory cards, paper wallets or CDs, which degrade over time. Recent research found that CDs dating from the 1990s are already rotting away in certain conditions.

On the project’s previous Startjoin campaign, Goodman added:

    “Records are the ultimate archive format. You could add the record to your record crate, put it in a frame and hang it on your wall, or store it in your safe.”

Of course, recording vinyl is more demanding than burning a CD or DVD. It requires specialised hardware such as a record lathe, blanks and a turntable (in this case the legendary Technics SL-1200 was employed).

Although the project did not reach its initial crowdfunding target of €8,000, it appears that the wallets are now in production.

For the time being, Sound Wallet offers two products, a CD wallet and a vinyl wallet, priced at 0.02BTC and 0.09BTC respectively.

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[notbatman]

Groovy! 

[serje]

Now this is innovation!

Having private keys on a vinyl!

If I will ever have a lot of BTC will get one for sure!

[Dabs]

But private keys engraved on wood or stainless steel, or a tungsten block will still last longer than plastic.

The bank can burn down around it and it will still be readable.

[serje]

But private keys engraved on a tungsten block

The bank can burn down around it and it will still be readable.

I like this one! You can even cary it around with you and protect yourself from scammers! 

[smoothie]

But private keys engraved on wood or stainless steel, or a tungsten block will still last longer than plastic.

The bank can burn down around it and it will still be readable.

Does the tungsten bar there really need to be that thick to avoid melting?

[Kickstart4]

That's an amazing idea. This will give additional layer of security and more relief.

Thanks for posting.

[serje]

But private keys engraved on wood or stainless steel, or a tungsten block will still last longer than plastic.

The bank can burn down around it and it will still be readable.

Does the tungsten bar there really need to be that thick to avoid melting?

the melting temperature for tungsten  is  3.422 °C (​6192 °F) and the boiling temperature is 5.555 °C (​10706 °F)

it doesn't have any importance the thickness .... that bank can burn down on napalm, because napalm only generates temperatures of 800 to 1,200 degrees Celsius (1,500-2,200°F)
and you go there and take your private key back like a boss!

[smoothie]

But private keys engraved on wood or stainless steel, or a tungsten block will still last longer than plastic.

The bank can burn down around it and it will still be readable.

Does the tungsten bar there really need to be that thick to avoid melting?

the melting temperature for tungsten  is  3.422 °C (​6192 °F) and the boiling temperature is 5.555 °C (​10706 °F)

it doesn't have any importance the thickness .... that bank can burn down on napalm, because napalm only generates temperatures of 800 to 1,200 degrees Celsius (1,500-2,200°F)
and you go there and take your private key back like a boss!

Interesting storage method.

[BitcoinBarrel]

Be careful, if any burning Jet fuel lands on that it will surely melt.  

[smoothie]

Be careful, if any burning Jet fuel lands on that it will surely melt.  

What is the likelihood of that? lol 

[jbrnt]

Vinyl gather dust and mould overtime, may not want to entrust my savings into something so fragile. Engrave keys on metal still seems the most practical method.

[StevenS]

To construct the wallet, a user’s BIP38-encrypted private key is first converted into a sound file.

...

He adds that records can outlive memory cards, paper wallets or CDs, which degrade over time.

When your memory of the pass phrase fades, the vinyl is useless.

[minerpumpkin]

Well yeah if you really want something safe and study, you'd be best off with tungsten or a durable metal. The Vinyl idea is a nice one, but Vinyl isn't exactly the most durable material there is. Also, if you want to store your key on an audio CD, there are simpler ways. You could just use steganography and embed your key in some music track - even better.

[ensurance982]

I think this really caters to hipsters or people who want this for the novelty aspect. It's not really facilitating storing your private keys, nor is it a very safe storage solution or exceptionally durable. Stones or metals with engraved private keys really are a better solution for this!

[krach]

* bluefirecorp accidentally scratches record.


FUCK! There goes my life savings!

A few scratches wont be an issue. You will still be able to read the private key. Engraved in wood or metal will last longer, that is true, but you cant play it at your next party.

If you think you will forget the passphrase then maybe you should record you speaking the phrase out on a tape, store them in seperate places. You can also make back ups of the sound wallet with tapes or cds ect, of course you could do that with your engraving too, just make a negative copy out of silicone for example.

[oceans]

I can see why this would be ideal for some. I personally would prefer metal or stone over vinyl myself but that is just me. I can't imagine vinyl would last too long either to be honest not compared to metal and stone, at least not unless it is kept really safe.

[practicaldreamer]

While Sound Wallet may not appeal to mainstream users, this security-minded product may prove popular with .... audiophiles.

Why ? So they can listen to white noise in absolute pristine stereo analogue quality ?

Will they be planning to release it in digital 192khz 24 bit resolution do you think ?  - or won't the dac's be able to capture the full "warmth" of the vinyls rendering of said white noise ?

[Vortex20000]

* bluefirecorp accidentally scratches record.

FUCK! There goes my life savings!

* Vortex20000 tests his nails on a black circle.

FUCK! I'm killing you, Vortex!

--

And that italic text looks dumb.

[johncarpe64]

I can see why this would be ideal for some. I personally would prefer metal or stone over vinyl myself but that is just me. I can't imagine vinyl would last too long either to be honest not compared to metal and stone, at least not unless it is kept really safe.

I think this would open you up to a number of potential attacks. If someone knows that you are playing the disk that contains your private key then they could just "listen" for your private key and steal your funds.

I think that a CD would have a much less chance of being stolen by someone robbing your house or trying to specifically steal your bitcoin, however it is much more likely to be "borrowed" by a friend or be accidentally destroyed via wear and tear. Both vinyl records and CDs also have a much lower temperature at which they can survive in verses paper.