Store it down to the HDD and encrypt it is my way to go. However, a hardware wallet is preferable if you have a huge sum of money stored into your address otherwise not really worth it. There are even some people who write down their privkey to a steel plate and then store into somewhere else they think safe.
But in my opinion, just save it in your drive is just fine (make sure that your HDD or flashdrive didn't have bad sector) , especially if you live alone like what you described above no one is going to barge into your house searching a HDD even better if it's encrypted aswell. A paper wallet can do too, but is easily burned, lost or torn apart.
Topic: How i keep my private keys safe without hardware wallet - page 10. (Read 1172 times)
This is how i keep my private keys safe since i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.
2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well
3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.
At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.
2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well
3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.
At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.
Good to see that this works for you. However, of might not work for everyone. It is also good you admitted that hardware wallet is the best.
Also, if you can afford to buy another hard disk coupled with a good flash drive, you should be able to purchase a Trezor wallet, because it is not so expensive.
It is much safer to use a hardware wallet, because your external hard disk and flash drive can be corrupted with malware, which might lead to loss of information.
Thank you this is very important and valuable information. I keep my private keys on paper and in my safe. Perhaps banks with their safe-Deposit vaults will be needed for this in the future (thoughts) 
the way I store private keys
1. I use a web wallet (Myetherwallet)
2. Bookmark the web wallet site to avoid phishing attacks
3. copy on white paper, PC, MOBILE and flashdisk
4. I will not tell anyone and only I personally know about this.
1. I use a web wallet (Myetherwallet)
2. Bookmark the web wallet site to avoid phishing attacks
3. copy on white paper, PC, MOBILE and flashdisk
4. I will not tell anyone and only I personally know about this.
If you are using web wallet then your private keys is not safe, if you are thinking its safe you are wrong, unless you don't give full details, web wallets are wallets that still requires for login to access the wallet even if they use private keys,this is why its risky cos anybody can get access to your login details, why not use standalone wallets? the app version on myetherwallet is even better
The information provided is very helpful. I've experienced being hacked before. So, I started making sure that what I am accessing the correct web wallet. I bookmark the website. I also never click on any link. I also make sure that my computer is properly maintained, free from any virus and malware. I keep a hardcopy of my privatekey. Wallet security is a must, a lot of people are losing their money because of being careless.
You will be fine if you are not connecting to the internet since you've load windows7 setup on the harddisk already, its a very good move and since you are living alone and no one knows you have something valuable in keep they your private keys will be safe from preying eyes but still hardware wallet is hassle free
the way I store private keys
1. I use a web wallet (Myetherwallet)
2. Bookmark the web wallet site to avoid phishing attacks
3. copy on white paper, PC, MOBILE and flashdisk
4. I will not tell anyone and only I personally know about this.
1. I use a web wallet (Myetherwallet)
2. Bookmark the web wallet site to avoid phishing attacks
3. copy on white paper, PC, MOBILE and flashdisk
4. I will not tell anyone and only I personally know about this.
The best way to do this is to store private keys in a Linux distro like Mint or ArchLinux on an Airgapped device that has never connected to the internet. Using windows the security risk is higher. Do not waste a full had disk on that though.
Keeping soft copies of your private keys on separate locations is again risky of theft from one location which has least security. That you need to assess. Written private keys are at risk of being lost or destroyed by water or fire and being stolen.
Compared to this hassle, a hardware wallet is definitely going to be better.
Keeping soft copies of your private keys on separate locations is again risky of theft from one location which has least security. That you need to assess. Written private keys are at risk of being lost or destroyed by water or fire and being stolen.
Compared to this hassle, a hardware wallet is definitely going to be better.
pretty good information, but some people have their own way to store private keys without hard wallets. I myself currently use a flash disk to store it. besides that, I also store it in a WinRAR with password, and it is stored in some online storage. Well, I'm sure it's very difficult to realize that these are private keys.
This is how i keep my private keys safe since i can't afford to buy a hardware wallet.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.
2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well
3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.
At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.
1. A complete new harddisk
I bought a new harddisk and install window 7 on it and copy all my private keys in there, i don't bother to leave this harddisk in the pc, after the copy is completed i remove the harddisk and keep it.
2.My Recording book
I have a long hard shelled book that i use for keeping records of all the airdrops and bounties i promoted because sometimes i used to forget easily so i write down my recovery seeds in this book as well
3. Flash Drive
I have a good 8gig flash drive as well that i use to copy software and files from one pc to another so i format this flash drive and copy my private keys and recovery seeds in it.
At first no one knew i am into crypto stuffs and secondly i don't share my room with anyone cos i am living alone, those who have people around them with face problems like friends going behind your back checking through your stuffs or even stealing your things, hardware wallet is still the best though.
Jump to: