Importing priv keys dangerous on offline computer?

EnchantedMaple

newbie

Activity: 6

Merit: 0

ok so for every new address there is a new private key.

I'm still a little confused on

Quote

No. It means that, if you don't understand the technical aspects of creating transactions, then you can make an invalid assumption that a transaction will leave your unspent bitcoins associated with the private key you stored. This can result in you storing the wrong private key after the transaction is complete and thereby permanently losing access to all your remaining bitcoins.

I imported my private key and just verified that it was my address and the private key worked. I then closed bitcoin client down.

Am I going to have any problems accessing that Bitcoin again? The private key I imported would still be valid right and would allow me to send my bitcoin from that address anytime I want by simply importing the private key back into the client?

I read this on the wiki:

Quote

Because bitcoins can only be spent once, when they are spent using a private key, the private key becomes worthless. It is often possible, but inadvisable and insecure, to use the address implemented by the private key again, in which case the same private key would be reused.

What does this mean exactly? does it mean if I import my private key into bitcoin client and then send a trasaction the private key would become worthless? I don't quite understand this.

Or does this mean that if I send ALL my bitcoin to another address the private key is useless because....its in another address with a new private key.

Also because ive imported it to check if it works and it does am I safe to assume that I can now recieve Bitcoin to the address?

Amph

legendary

Activity: 3248

Merit: 1070

it never change, just the address change , if you create more 1 private key have associated muliple keys

EnchantedMaple

newbie

Activity: 6

Merit: 0

Quote from: DannyHamilton on January 15, 2015, 09:51:14 AM

Quote from: EnchantedMaple on January 15, 2015, 06:26:44 AM

Hi so i downloaded bitcoin-qt from github on my online computer transfered that over to my livecd offline computer (both ubuntu) and I've just imported my private key. but i read on the wiki this:

Quote

WARNING

Before reading this page, users should note that messing with ECDSA private keys is very dangerous and can result in losing bitcoins, even long after the import. It is recommended that outside of self-generated vanity addresses, users should never import (or export) private keys

Does this mean someone can steal my private key?

No. It means that, if you don't understand the technical aspects of creating transactions, then you can make an invalid assumption that a transaction will leave your unspent bitcoins associated with the private key you stored. This can result in you storing the wrong private key after the transaction is complete and thereby permanently losing access to all your remaining bitcoins.

It also means that, if you do not properly secure your private key after you generate it, you could leak the information to an attacker.

I dont understand all of that information...so can I ask you a question? I've imported the private key from the print out that bitaddress gave me. I've looked at it and the address is correct etc. But, if I ever make a transaction is my private key going to change?

I was under the impression that the private key will never change....unless you are talking about the wallet may generate other addresses which have different private keys and yo might note down the wrong private key is that what you are saying?

I imported it like i said then it verfiied that my address was there with the correct label then i simply closed bitcoin client down. Am I safe from that warning? i only imported to make sure the private key was correct but i will be doing tranactions in the near future.

Sorry for asking a silly question but i just want to make sure ive done it right and not messed up anywhere thanks for the help so far.

DannyHamilton

legendary

Activity: 3472

Merit: 4794

Quote from: EnchantedMaple on January 15, 2015, 06:26:44 AM

Hi so i downloaded bitcoin-qt from github on my online computer transfered that over to my livecd offline computer (both ubuntu) and I've just imported my private key. but i read on the wiki this:

Quote

WARNING

Before reading this page, users should note that messing with ECDSA private keys is very dangerous and can result in losing bitcoins, even long after the import. It is recommended that outside of self-generated vanity addresses, users should never import (or export) private keys

Does this mean someone can steal my private key?

No. It means that, if you don't understand the technical aspects of creating transactions, then you can make an invalid assumption that a transaction will leave your unspent bitcoins associated with the private key you stored. This can result in you storing the wrong private key after the transaction is complete and thereby permanently losing access to all your remaining bitcoins.

It also means that, if you do not properly secure your private key after you generate it, you could leak the information to an attacker.

Quote from: EnchantedMaple on January 15, 2015, 06:26:44 AM

I thought I was safe because its a offline computer?

That depends on what you are trying to protect yourself from.

Using an offline computer ONLY protects you from hackers accessing your private key through the internet.

EnchantedMaple

newbie

Activity: 6

Merit: 0

Hi so i downloaded bitcoin-qt from github on my online computer transfered that over to my livecd offline computer (both ubuntu) and I've just imported my private key. but i read on the wiki this:

Quote

WARNING

Before reading this page, users should note that messing with ECDSA private keys is very dangerous and can result in losing bitcoins, even long after the import. It is recommended that outside of self-generated vanity addresses, users should never import (or export) private keys

Does this mean someone can steal my private key? I thought I was safe because its a offline computer?

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