Question regarding security of printing/writing a text file

[JarvisTechnology]

I have a question I have a load of usernames & passwords for different sites which I'm considering writing down &/or printing out. I'm aware of programs like lastpass etc but I don't want to install them as I'm trying to keep a minimalistic computer which at the moment I have only planned to run all drivers required & Lynx as a web browser & basic text editors and the normaly system tools.

My questions are

1. Is it safe to write them in plain text while disconnected from the internet?
2. If not safe what If I create a live cd linux distro which will not connect to the internet and I create the document in there which then I print directly from that machine.

If both are unsecure is there any thing you guys suggested doing? In regards to printing out a document containing sensitive data securely. I'm not concerned about phyical insecurities because it will be locked away safely.

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[efiin]

Using the livecd should work as long as you are not printing off wifi/network. You need to print locally with a usb printer or something else otherwise someone could intercept the data being sent over the network.

[Hackaday]

Encrypt document with password which would counter some viruses getting hold of the passwords if still connected to the internet but keyloggers are still a threat.

[hilariousandco]

Your printer is the weakest link here. Some of them apparently store printed files or can be hacked so you need to make sure that is safe or not connected to the net. This is why I don't trust paper wallets as an ideal cold storage option. Any file that has been created digitally and then also printed is gonna make me paranoid as to whether it is 100% safe.

Why don't you just write them down manually, or if you must print them out don't print the full passwords but clues to them or obfuscate them slightly? Depends how complex they are. Ie if your password for this account was password1989 just write p19 or something. Obviously don't use something as simple as that though. Also remember that if other people find your list they could use them as well.

[Welsh]

Your printer is the weakest link here. Some of them apparently store printed files or can be hacked so you need to make sure that is safe or not connected to the net. This is why I don't trust paper wallets as an ideal cold storage option. Any file that has been created digitally and then also printed is gonna make me paranoid as to whether it is 100% safe.

Why don't you just write them down manually, or if you must print them out don't print the full passwords but clues to them or obfuscate them slightly? Depends how complex they are. Ie if your password for this account was password1989 just write p19 or something. Obviously don't use something as simple as that though. Also remember that if other people find your list they could use them as well.

Listen to this. I've written some down manually yes, but not in plain text either. I've got my own little algorithm which I use to make it look like a ordinary work document which wouldn't interest others at first glance. This is combined with other work documents so it gives it a little more camouflage.

Printing is a flaw in terms of security & that's why I've personally never dealt with a paper wallet unless written down manually myself. Honestly, It's much better to just write it down manually & make sure it's 100% correct with capitals etc. Although I must say the odds of someone 'intercepting' or looking at recently printed documents is very low.

[Finchy]

Listen to this. I've written some down manually yes, but not in plain text either. I've got my own little algorithm which I use to make it look like a ordinary work document which wouldn't interest others at first glance. This is combined with other work documents so it gives it a little more camouflage.

Printing is a flaw in terms of security & that's why I've personally never dealt with a paper wallet unless written down manually myself. Honestly, It's much better to just write it down manually & make sure it's 100% correct with capitals etc. Although I must say the odds of someone 'intercepting' or looking at recently printed documents is very low.

Trying to mask it as a ordinary document will be a good idea to further mask it, but if people are going to go this far to try get your coins they'll likely have a bot that looks for your keys. I'd be very scared of making a mistake righting them down by hand.

[belk]

Maybe you are just paranoid bro. I think it is ok to save those things in Microsoft excel.

[hilariousandco]

Your printer is the weakest link here. Some of them apparently store printed files or can be hacked so you need to make sure that is safe or not connected to the net. This is why I don't trust paper wallets as an ideal cold storage option. Any file that has been created digitally and then also printed is gonna make me paranoid as to whether it is 100% safe.

Why don't you just write them down manually, or if you must print them out don't print the full passwords but clues to them or obfuscate them slightly? Depends how complex they are. Ie if your password for this account was password1989 just write p19 or something. Obviously don't use something as simple as that though. Also remember that if other people find your list they could use them as well.

Listen to this. I've written some down manually yes, but not in plain text either. I've got my own little algorithm which I use to make it look like a ordinary work document which wouldn't interest others at first glance. This is combined with other work documents so it gives it a little more camouflage.

Printing is a flaw in terms of security & that's why I've personally never dealt with a paper wallet unless written down manually myself. Honestly, It's much better to just write it down manually & make sure it's 100% correct with capitals etc. Although I must say the odds of someone 'intercepting' or looking at recently printed documents is very low.

Most of the time people will be safe, but if you want peace of mind, like I do, I imagine every way a person could get your coins. It seems sadly nothing is safe digitally if it's not encrypted well.

Trying to mask it as a ordinary document will be a good idea to further mask it, but if people are going to go this far to try get your coins they'll likely have a bot that looks for your keys. I'd be very scared of making a mistake righting them down by hand.

You could take a Polaroid picture of your private keys and then keep them hidden/safe. It's a good idea to make a note of your keys somehow just in case your wallet files ever become corrupted or lost.

Maybe you are just paranoid bro. I think it is ok to save those things in Microsoft excel.

It's not paranoia but being safe. People lose their coins daily to key loggers and viruses. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Welsh]

Maybe you are just paranoid bro. I think it is ok to save those things in Microsoft excel.

You "think" it's safe, but in reality it's not. If you have thousands invested into something like Bitcoin which is proving to be popular among the minority, which the majority are technical minded then you should really tighten up on security. It may be over the top, but I prefer to be precise and as secure as possible. It's very easy to be infected by a keylogger or other sort of virus.

I would advise not using Word to keep your passwords or private keys in plain text, of course like suggested a LiveCD is actually a good way to think about it and keeping disconnected from the internet and using a Linux based operating system for the LiveCD is probably the best way to go if you have your mind set on storing them on Word/Libreoffice. Printing is always going to be a security flaw, but normally only locally if disconnected to internet & on a clean install of a OS.

[efiin]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

[b!z]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

[SOAD]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why would it not be?

[efiin]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why? the only way someone can access it is locally.

[b!z]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why would it not be?

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why? the only way someone can access it is locally.

How long do you expect a hard drive to last? 50 years at best, likely much less.

Pen and (acid free) paper lasts hundreds if stored properly.

[Gleb Goodston]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why would it not be?

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why? the only way someone can access it is locally.

How long do you expect a hard drive to last? 50 years at best, likely much less.

Pen and (acid free) paper lasts hundreds if stored properly.

Smart thinking! How would you store this piece of paper though?

[b!z]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why would it not be?

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why? the only way someone can access it is locally.

How long do you expect a hard drive to last? 50 years at best, likely much less.

Pen and (acid free) paper lasts hundreds if stored properly.

Smart thinking! How would you store this piece of paper though?

Detailed guide:
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/holdings-maintenance/table-of-contents.html

Shorter articles:
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/family-archives/preserving-family-papers.html
http://jwa.org/stories/how-to/preservation

The gist is that you should store in an appropriate enclosure, in average room temperature and humidity, away from light. You should definitely read the above links if you're interested, since there's obviously more to it.

[Gleb Goodston]

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why would it not be?

Just take a picture on a device which can't connect to the internet that's secure from virus.

not viable for long term storage

Why? the only way someone can access it is locally.

How long do you expect a hard drive to last? 50 years at best, likely much less.

Pen and (acid free) paper lasts hundreds if stored properly.

Smart thinking! How would you store this piece of paper though?

Detailed guide:
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/holdings-maintenance/table-of-contents.html

Shorter articles:
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/family-archives/preserving-family-papers.html
http://jwa.org/stories/how-to/preservation

The gist is that you should store in an appropriate enclosure, in average room temperature and humidity, away from light. You should definitely read the above links if you're interested, since there's obviously more to it.

Thanks for the links I'll have a look tommorrow as its late here sounds like a good way to store it for long term.