Is it advisable to download wallet in external hard drive?

SamsungBitcoin

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Quote from: cipher-x_09 on January 25, 2018, 08:46:01 PM

As long as the external as encrypted with a strong password inputted and security program installed to prevent any viruses or hackers affecting all the programs in your external hard drive. And also, if you dont use your hard drive in public places to prevent too much exposure which can endanger your hard drive into a greater risk.

Agree with you mate, you need to installed program for antivirus to avoid corrupted files and make your external run smoothly.

Quote from: cipher-x_09 on January 25, 2018, 08:46:01 PM

So as much as possible this is really not that advisable.

I think it is ok to put your offline wallet in your external as your backup, what ever happens in your computer you can recover it using your external hard drive also you can used that anywhere else just only do regular backup in that wallet.

cipher-x_09

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As long as the external as encrypted with a strong password inputted and security program installed to prevent any viruses or hackers affecting all the programs in your external hard drive. And also, if you dont use your hard drive in public places to prevent too much exposure which can endanger your hard drive into a greater risk. So as much as possible this is really not that advisable.

armandoz

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yes it is tand that is safe and back up but make sure that you can handle properly and keepsafe and secure and put every detail of your account. but if your attitude is absent minded don't do it just steak what you have now. rather than someone will take your account.

bakerlisa510

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Yeah, you can do that but remember if you forget the disk somewhere or lose it then all your BTC is gone...

Or you can do this thing create a symlinks folder on Windows to move:

Step 1. Delete or move "bitcoin" folder in "C:\Users\%user_name%\AppData\Roaming".

Step 2. Open cmd and enter this command: MkLink /J "C:\Users\%user_name%\AppData\Roaming\bitcoin" "NEW_LOCATION_PATH"

Example, I want to move to (F: or G: whatever your external drive name is)F:\bitcoin. My command is MkLink /J "C:\Users\%user_name%\AppData\Roaming\bitcoin" "F:\bitcoin".

Step 3. Check in "C:\Users\%user_name%\AppData\Roaming\bitcoin\". If you see "bitcoin" folder, it means that you create successfully when you open this folder, it will open folder in "NEW_LOCATION_PATH" (If not successful try it 2-3 times)

Step 4. cut and paste all data from the old folder to new folder.

Step 5. and after that start the Bitcoin wallet application from whichever portable device you like.

mharz

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No wrong with that, but make sure that you can secured your wallet, other than that you need to always keep your external because there's a lot of Intruders in the whole world so there's a possibility to hacked it. Moreover it depends to you if how can you handle or protect your external, maybe you can encrypt to assure that your wallet is secured.

SGMPhil

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One more consideration in using hard drives for storing coins is that hard drives fail. They have motors, bearings, and such and are prone to physical damage if dropped or banged around. A solid state drive may be a better option - there are even some out there that have built-in encryption so they can't be accessed without keying in a password on the built-in keypad. That is what I use.

ranochigo

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Quote from: just_Alice on January 23, 2018, 11:18:18 AM

But aren't paper wallets vulnerable to malware?

Not if you generate and spend them securely.

Quote from: just_Alice on January 23, 2018, 11:18:18 AM

Especially the unencrypted ones?

They are more vulnerable to physical theft. Else, their risk from malware is the same, unencrypted or not.

Quote from: just_Alice on January 23, 2018, 11:18:18 AM

Unless maybe you have a special multi-key paper wallet, but for that you would have to find a reliable and qualitative generator of mnemonic code. Quite apart from the fact that the printer can be unsecure and have an internal storage, which might be hacked.

It's not hard to create a multisig with paper wallets. Spending them will be a hassle however.

Generally, its quite hard for printers to be hacked if they aren't connected to the internet. If you're scared of side channel attacks (pretty infeasible), then cover it with a tinfoil and do it in an isolated room.

just_Alice

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Quote from: BTCerm on January 20, 2018, 01:05:44 AM

Hardware wallet would probably work but there are better ways to keep offline wallets as well. Such as a paper wallet. you can generate and print one from http://bitaddress.org/ for example. If you insist on electronic storage, I'd recommend a usb-stick over a hard drive. Also, don't use the bitcoin.org software for that wallet, it's a pain in the ass to use that way. Multibit, for example, would work better.

But aren't paper wallets vulnerable to malware? Especially the unencrypted ones? Unless maybe you have a special multi-key paper wallet, but for that you would have to find a reliable and qualitative generator of mnemonic code. Quite apart from the fact that the printer can be unsecure and have an internal storage, which might be hacked.

icol333

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I think it's a good choice for a mobile person who do travels a lot, but never store all of your coins in one place as it have a higher risk to get stolen, hacked, etc.

spiker777

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I would instead recommend purchasing a hardware wallet, than using an external hard drive to store your wallet files.

There are two main ones available, the trezor: https://trezor.io/

Or the Ledger (preferably Nano S): https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/ledger-nano-s

Currently the Nano S is sold out, but you can still purchase them from overpriced resellers. Using a hardware wallet is much safer, due to the encryption and password protection they offer, hence are not as easily compromised as an external HDD. Plus, they support multiple coins, unifying your assets into one easy to access place.

Siopao

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If you're concerned about security you can use hardware wallet, there are this that comes in usb stick. If you are planning to keep your bitcoin for like a year or two and not planning to move fund from there then it is advisable. Hardware wallet would work for people who wants to invest coz its not so convenient for you to get funds from it. It's also secure, don't forget to have a backup though.

LoyceV

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Quote from: buenaobra on January 17, 2018, 09:50:41 AM

please give alternatives for someone like me who's always on the go.

Bring your own laptop, or buy a small lightweight laptop for your travels. Netbooks weigh 1 kg and don't cost much.
Don't carry around all your crypto holdings, bring only what you need for your trip, and leave the rest in secure storage elsewhere.

Quote from: Kprawn on January 17, 2018, 10:59:41 AM

Generally speaking, you can rely on your hard drive for three to five years on average.

Obviously, you'll need to make backups. You should be able to lose your portable device at any moment without losing any coins.

Quote from: micloop on January 17, 2018, 11:41:51 AM

If you're worried about security, learn something about paper wallets and you'll be fine.

I have a BIP38 encrypted paper wallet in my wallet, it used to be worth enough for a tank of gas, by now it holds enough Bitcoins to buy an average laptop.
For wallets, I prefer to use my PC, but for mobility, I also have Mycelium installed on my phone. The paper wallet in my wallet is much more secure than my phone, and I'll only touch it if I ever need to use it.

Quote from: onnz423 on January 19, 2018, 02:00:53 AM

I don't see any problem with storing your wallet files on an external hard drive, assuming you take the proper precautions when securing the drive itself.

You could bring a Linux LIVE DVD, or even make the external hard drive itself bootable. That way, you can quite safely use it at any computer, but I don't think many people would let you use their computer to startup your own OS.
But I wouldn't let anyone plug his USB-drive into my PC to start up his own wallets anyway.

Thanasis

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Quote from: buenaobra on January 17, 2018, 09:50:41 AM

I am not so much on the techie side so pardon the noob question. I am planning to purchase an external hard drive so I can just install there my wallets and for mobility. Is this advisable? If not, please give alternatives for someone like me who's always on the go. Thank you in advance!

If you are installing bitcoin wallets on external hard drive for the sake of mobility they why dont you try it with hardware wallets.It is smaller than portable hardrives so it can fit into a pocket even.So buy a Ledger Nano S,I think it will cost around $60-$70 but it is cheaper than portable hard drive and you can store multiple coins in hardware wallet and it provides ultimate security than any other kind of wallets.

jafu

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Quote from: buenaobra on January 17, 2018, 09:50:41 AM

I am not so much on the techie side so pardon the noob question. I am planning to purchase an external hard drive so I can just install there my wallets and for mobility. Is this advisable? If not, please give alternatives for someone like me who's always on the go. Thank you in advance!

While that would most likely work, There are better approaches to keep disconnected wallets also.

for ex:

In the event that you demand electronic capacity, I'd prescribe a usb-stick over a hard drive. Likewise, don't utilize the bitcoin.org programming for that wallet, it's a genuine annoyance to utilize that way. Multibit,for case, would work better.

BTCerm

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Hardware wallet would probably work but there are better ways to keep offline wallets as well. Such as a paper wallet. you can generate and print one from http://bitaddress.org/ for example. If you insist on electronic storage, I'd recommend a usb-stick over a hard drive. Also, don't use the bitcoin.org software for that wallet, it's a pain in the ass to use that way. Multibit, for example, would work better.

onnz423

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I don't see any problem with storing your wallet files on an external hard drive, assuming you take the proper precautions when securing the drive itself. E.g. You can encrypt the files within a password protected archive, or simply use a password protected drive such as the following.

https://www.amazon.com/lepin-Military-AES-CBC-Encrypted-Advanced/dp/B06X6NP89Y/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1516345200&sr=8-11&keywords=password+thumb+drive

Of course, you could simply use a trezor or ledger hardware wallet.

yojodojo21

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Quote from: buenaobra on January 17, 2018, 09:50:41 AM

I am not so much on the techie side so pardon the noob question. I am planning to purchase an external hard drive so I can just install there my wallets and for mobility. Is this advisable? If not, please give alternatives for someone like me who's always on the go. Thank you in advance!

In my own perspective it is not advisable to install wallets from your hard drive just in case it can be corrupted with virus because if you will accidentally connect it to a device infected with virus such as Trojans then your dead. If you are just putting a little amount of coins then better to choose legit web wallets, but, if it will be a huge amount then desktop wallets I prefer.

omgredhattee

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If you are thinking of downloading your wallet to a cold wallet aka hardware wallet. I suggestion you reformat your drive and create at least two copies. For example a USB with nothing on it and of good quality. Keep in a safe place and check it often to see if it up to par. Never use a desktop wallet.

johniadeluca

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Make sure you have backups on backups in different locations. Also make sure if you have anything 2FA that there's more than one number to get access

Oceat

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Quote from: micloop on January 17, 2018, 11:41:51 AM

Hardware wallets is a good pick, but a expensive one. If you're worried about security, learn something about paper wallets and you'll be fine. Do some for each coin that is possible and chill. One more hint is don't store everything at same vault, split your coins into some wallets, so if some one crack it, you'll lose only some coins and not all of it.

Is it too tiring to just put your coins on a different wallet, it will somehow create a confusion to the user although it looks like a good advise but buying a lot of hardware wallet will cost you more i guess rather putting it on a single wallet. But for me i would rather prefer the paper wallet instead of hardware a wallet, i just think it is comfortable and safe.

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