Author

Topic: Is it okay that a Hardware Wallet Has no Screen? (Read 228 times)

newbie
Activity: 7
Merit: 0
February 26, 2019, 06:02:15 AM
#10
The Digital Bitbox has no screen... and the original Ledger Nano (and HW.1) didn't have a screen either...

They rely on using software to display all the info... which is a possible attack vector ie. an attacker can get hacked versions of the software loaded onto your device(s) and display whatever they want... and trick you into confirming a transaction that sends all your funds to some unseen address etc.

This is why the newer wallets all tend to include screens... it makes it harder for this attack to succeed as the attacker would also need to compromise the device itself to display "bad data"... which is generally orders of magnitude more difficult than compromising software on a PC/tablet/phone


Thank you very much, it is very helpful.
legendary
Activity: 2758
Merit: 6830
-snip-
Well, Opendime isn't really the best example.

IIRC, all it does it generate and hold the private-key inside the device. You actually need to get the private-key in your PC to spend the coins. It's basically a paper wallet.
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 3095
BTC price road to $80k
I'd like to add this one it seems never mention this hardwallet before so I'd like to add this as another hardware wallet as what I found from google.

Another hardware wallet is opendime coldcard it's not the same as other hardware wallet that have screen.

Look at the image below.
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4318
The Digital Bitbox has no screen... and the original Ledger Nano (and HW.1) didn't have a screen either...

They rely on using software to display all the info... which is a possible attack vector ie. an attacker can get hacked versions of the software loaded onto your device(s) and display whatever they want... and trick you into confirming a transaction that sends all your funds to some unseen address etc.

This is why the newer wallets all tend to include screens... it makes it harder for this attack to succeed as the attacker would also need to compromise the device itself to display "bad data"... which is generally orders of magnitude more difficult than compromising software on a PC/tablet/phone

legendary
Activity: 2758
Merit: 6830
Not sure how it is with the brands that you mentioned that have no screen but for the Ledger you need a screen to see the PIN that you are entering. Also when you verify the account details, the address will be shown on the screen of the device as well as in the Ledger Live app.
It is probably easier to use one that has a screen though.
I know one which is called Secalot. IMO, I wouldn’t use it. Your wallet could be saying something (sending A BTC to X address) but actually sending a totally different tx (sending B to Y) for you to sign. You will always relay on the software.
legendary
Activity: 2730
Merit: 7065
Not sure how it is with the brands that you mentioned that have no screen but for the Ledger you need a screen to see the PIN that you are entering. Also when you verify the account details, the address will be shown on the screen of the device as well as in the Ledger Live app.
It is probably easier to use one that has a screen though.
legendary
Activity: 2170
Merit: 1789
A hardware wallet with no screen is more or less like paper wallet imo. If you want to use it as long-term storage, and by that I mean not using it to send and receive crypto regularly, it is still okay. But if you want to use it daily/weekly, maybe you should look for another option.

As long as you save it in a secure place, there shouldn't be a problem.
legendary
Activity: 4438
Merit: 3387
A screen is not necessary, but a screen can be used to provide increased security in addition to a better user experience.
newbie
Activity: 8
Merit: 1
I dount it.
All hardware wallet need a hot-device who can communicate with them.  For a hardware wallet with screen, if your hot-device is hacked, you will know it and will stop the transaction before send your coin out.  It your hardware wallet has no screen , you won't be able to do that.
newbie
Activity: 7
Merit: 0
As the title mentioned, I am wondering is it secure to use a non-screen cold walelt to store my cryptocurrencies? since I saw some wallet brands in the markets are promoting card-style wallets that have no screen.
Jump to: