Can a factory reset computer be used for cold storage? - page 2.

shorena

copper member

Activity: 1498

Merit: 1528

No I dont escrow anymore.

Quote from: lamaze on November 08, 2014, 10:34:20 AM

-snip-

1. Disconnect the laptop from internet.

2. Run Bitcoin-QT or some program to generate your address.

3. Send the wallet to an USB.

4. Remove the USB.

5. Ctrl+Shift+Del your wallet details from the laptop. If possible, format it once.

6. Connect your laptop to the internet and send bitcoin to your address, whose details are in USB.

7. Just keep the USB detouched from all internet connections... and you are safe

By the way, is this 100% safe?

Nope, an advanced trojan could be transmitted to the offline system via USB, snatch your private keys and call home when possible (e.g. using your online machine to broadcast the signed TX). So this might be compromised the moment you try to spend the bitcoins (e.g. connect the USB stick to an online machine). You also have a single point of failure (the USB stick) if it breaks your coins are gone.

On the other hand: nothing is 100% safe.

lamaze

member

Activity: 72

Merit: 10

Quote from: SpanishSoldier on November 07, 2014, 06:00:10 PM

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

1. Disconnect the laptop from internet.

2. Run Bitcoin-QT or some program to generate your address.

3. Send the wallet to an USB.

4. Remove the USB.

5. Ctrl+Shift+Del your wallet details from the laptop. If possible, format it once.

6. Connect your laptop to the internet and send bitcoin to your address, whose details are in USB.

7. Just keep the USB detouched from all internet connections... and you are safe

By the way, is this 100% safe?

KidPoker

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

Thanks for the advice everyone, greatly appreciated.

notlist3d

legendary

Activity: 1456

Merit: 1000

It could I would get rid of the crap they include with most computer's.

Also I would still put a good anti-virus on it and malaware protection before moving in.

Zawamiya

hero member

Activity: 526

Merit: 500

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

Yes you can do that, and be sure to keep some backup for your wallet..

shorena

copper member

Activity: 1498

Merit: 1528

No I dont escrow anymore.

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

To answer your question: Yes, a wiped machine with disabled WiFi (as someone allready posted) can be used as cold storrage. Just make sure you format all drives before (or durring setup) installing the new OS.

Brantley

newbie

Activity: 1

Merit: 0

Quote from: Samthing on November 08, 2014, 12:21:36 AM

Quote from: SpanishSoldier on November 07, 2014, 06:00:10 PM

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

1. Disconnect the laptop from internet.

2. Run Bitcoin-QT or some program to generate your address.

3. Send the wallet to an USB.

4. Remove the USB.

5. Ctrl+Shift+Del your wallet details from the laptop. If possible, format it once.

6. Connect your laptop to the internet and send bitcoin to your address, whose details are in USB.

7. Just keep the USB detouched from all internet connections... and you are safe

No need to use the Bitcoin-QT and send the dat to a USB. All he need is vanitygen.

Vanitygen don't allow you to convert it to paper wallet or am I wrong? I believe bitaddress.org is the best for cold storage.

Samthing

newbie

Activity: 3

Merit: 0

Quote from: SpanishSoldier on November 07, 2014, 06:00:10 PM

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

1. Disconnect the laptop from internet.

2. Run Bitcoin-QT or some program to generate your address.

3. Send the wallet to an USB.

4. Remove the USB.

5. Ctrl+Shift+Del your wallet details from the laptop. If possible, format it once.

6. Connect your laptop to the internet and send bitcoin to your address, whose details are in USB.

7. Just keep the USB detouched from all internet connections... and you are safe

No need to use the Bitcoin-QT and send the dat to a USB. All he need is vanitygen.

b!z

legendary

Activity: 1582

Merit: 1010

Quote from: melvinparham556 on November 07, 2014, 09:30:12 PM

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

you can try something else to check just turn off and turn on...then try again

and what will that do?

melvinparham556

newbie

Activity: 10

Merit: 0

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

you can try something else to check just turn off and turn on...then try again

b!z

legendary

Activity: 1582

Merit: 1010

Remove the wireless card and don't plug anything into it

KidPoker

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

Cheers for the reply. I know about generating wallets/addresses safely and clean booting from ubuntu/tails etc but I want a watch only wallet on my new laptop and have armory installed on my cold laptop. I was under the impression that apart from paper wallets, this is the best option? So I wasn't sure if factory restoring my laptop was be sufficient enough in terms of security to do this?

SpanishSoldier

sr. member

Activity: 728

Merit: 256

Quote from: KidPoker on November 07, 2014, 05:50:38 PM

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

1. Disconnect the laptop from internet.

2. Run Bitcoin-QT or some program to generate your address.

3. Send the wallet to an USB.

4. Remove the USB.

5. Ctrl+Shift+Del your wallet details from the laptop. If possible, format it once.

6. Connect your laptop to the internet and send bitcoin to your address, whose details are in USB.

7. Just keep the USB detouched from all internet connections... and you are safe

KidPoker

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

I need to buy a new laptop anyway so I was wondering if I completely wipe my current laptop (It's a sony vaio) could I then use it as my cold storage laptop? I plan to make a large investment in bitcoins very soon and was wondering if factory resetting my current laptop would be sufficient in terms of security? Cheers.

Topic: Can a factory reset computer be used for cold storage? - page 2. (Read 2480 times)