Author

Topic: It could be possible create a safe wallet with a Chromebook? (Read 177 times)

legendary
Activity: 2856
Merit: 7410
Crypto Swap Exchange
Well, thanks to all for contributions. There are several guides on how to install linux on a chromebook but I am trying also to generate a key without software.

Why do you want avoid generate key without software? I think you fell into XY problem[1].

Or at least it would be the last option.

Looking for an alternative, I am looking for a private key directly from a "binary" code.
But I am not able to generate a valid one with my (rude ...) method Sad :
I have taken a private key:
Code:
5KYZdUEo39z3FPrtuX2QbbwGnNP5zTd7yyr2SC1j299sBCnWjss
source: https://jhoenicke.github.io/brainwallet.github.io/#generator

converted in binary code with: https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/number/binary-to-ascii.html

I made some random changes in 0/1 (only few changes if 0 to 1 and vice versa). But I am not able to generate a valid private key converting back to text ....  I get error invalid private key. It's a wrong method? Any suggestion?

It's probably because the first website only accept Base58 format, where Base58 format have checksum[2]. Changing the data would make it no longer match with it's checksum.

[1] https://xyproblem.info/
[2] https://learnmeabitcoin.com/technical/keys/base58/
legendary
Activity: 3178
Merit: 3440
Nec Recisa Recedit
Well, thanks to all for contributions. There are several guides on how to install linux on a chromebook but I am trying also to generate a key without software. Or at least it would be the last option.
OK, but I don't understand what this has to do with your Chromebook...
You can always use dices if you don't want to use any software, but be careful to follow instructions for stronger encryption, and you will need to use something to calculate the last word.
Seed words work much better than single private key because you can use it to generate multiple bitcoin addresses.


This has to do with chromebook... since I am trying to generate a private key/wallet using this system Smiley
My idea was something like:
Generate a binary code (using phyton or other script language) for each private key
Convert this binary code in plan text (private key!)
Import private key in a wallet (offline) to get a public key!

Well, thanks to all for contributions. There are several guides on how to install linux on a chromebook but I am trying also to generate a key without software. Or at least it would be the last option.

Looking for an alternative, I am looking for a private key directly from a "binary" code.
But I am not able to generate a valid one with my (rude ...) method Sad :
I have taken a private key:
Code:
5KYZdUEo39z3FPrtuX2QbbwGnNP5zTd7yyr2SC1j299sBCnWjss
source: https://jhoenicke.github.io/brainwallet.github.io/#generator

converted in binary code with: https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/number/binary-to-ascii.html

I made some random changes in 0/1 (only few changes if 0 to 1 and vice versa). But I am not able to generate a valid private key converting back to text ....  I get error invalid private key. It's a wrong method? Any suggestion?
I was wondering why starting from a binary code of exting private key I can't generate a new (valid) one?
What I am doing wrong here?
legendary
Activity: 2212
Merit: 7064
Cashback 15%
Well, thanks to all for contributions. There are several guides on how to install linux on a chromebook but I am trying also to generate a key without software. Or at least it would be the last option.
OK, but I don't understand what this has to do with your Chromebook...
You can always use dices if you don't want to use any software, but be careful to follow instructions for stronger encryption, and you will need to use something to calculate the last word.
Seed words work much better than single private key because you can use it to generate multiple bitcoin addresses.
hero member
Activity: 644
Merit: 661
- Leo -
It is not half of security. In terms of security, losing one of the keys will not reduce your security. If you have a multi-signature address (2 out of 3) and you lost one of the signatures, the system is still completely secure as if you had not lost a key.
The point I was trying to make is we should not use a not so secure means of generating a key even if it is a part of a multi signature wallet. There are more secure options which can be used and gives much better security.

- Jay -
hero member
Activity: 1540
Merit: 744
I never used chromebook and I don't know exact specs, but I am sure it's possible to format the drive, install good Linux operating system. and turn your chromebook device into ''normal'' computer.
Just make sure to use some light distro version on Linux, something with basic desktop environment would work just fine.
After this installing Electrum wallet and anything else would be very easy, that is if you have basic skills to install OS by yourself.
I was about to say this; I don't want to basically repeat what others have already mentioned, so I'll share my experience with Chromebooks. I had an Acer one for a while, several years ago, after my desktop computer broke down and needed a quick replacement. However, at least in my case, you couldn't simply wipe out the hard drive; you had to take a screw off from somewhere in the laptop that would unlock the BIOS. I'm not sure if that's the case with yours, but I'm giving you a hint in case it doesn't let you install another operating system. Mine was like the cheapest laptop you could get, but it ran decently okay with Linux. It had an EMMC drive; yours likely has an SSD, so I'm guessing it'll have somewhat decent performance.

I don't know how safe it is to run a wallet on a Chromebook, even though it's possible according to previous posters, something I wasn't aware of, as its OS is basically the Chrome browser, so I personally wouldn't risk it myself. Thus, I would also recommend installing Linux and a wallet such as Electrum, as it seems like a safer environment.
legendary
Activity: 3178
Merit: 3440
Nec Recisa Recedit
Well, thanks to all for contributions. There are several guides on how to install linux on a chromebook but I am trying also to generate a key without software. Or at least it would be the last option.

Looking for an alternative, I am looking for a private key directly from a "binary" code.
But I am not able to generate a valid one with my (rude ...) method Sad :
I have taken a private key:
Code:
5KYZdUEo39z3FPrtuX2QbbwGnNP5zTd7yyr2SC1j299sBCnWjss
source: https://jhoenicke.github.io/brainwallet.github.io/#generator

converted in binary code with: https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/number/binary-to-ascii.html

I made some random changes in 0/1 (only few changes if 0 to 1 and vice versa). But I am not able to generate a valid private key converting back to text ....  I get error invalid private key. It's a wrong method? Any suggestion?
legendary
Activity: 2212
Merit: 7064
Cashback 15%
Finally I get a chromebook as "backup laptop" and only for traveling.
here, (of course) the first question I asked myself... can I create a secure wallet using this machine?
I never used chromebook and I don't know exact specs, but I am sure it's possible to format the drive, install good Linux operating system. and turn your chromebook device into ''normal'' computer.
Just make sure to use some light distro version on Linux, something with basic desktop environment would work just fine.
After this installing Electrum wallet and anything else would be very easy, that is if you have basic skills to install OS by yourself.
legendary
Activity: 2968
Merit: 3406
Crypto Swap Exchange
Finally I get a chromebook as "backup laptop" and only for traveling.
...
I have seen there is an electrum version dedicated to android, ...
Do you know any tutorials or tips to complete this operation?
If you're not on the latest ChromeOS version, you won't get the native support for Android apps... You can refer to this short tutorial to "enable Google Play Store on Chromebooks" and you can find the direct link to the Android version of Electrum from "here".
Note: Based on its latest reviews on the Play Store, it has a lot of mixed reviews + I also don't think it can be counted as a secure wallet (referring to this specific type of setup)!
sr. member
Activity: 406
Merit: 443
It can be used as part of a multi-signature wallet but if one is careful it can be secure but it is better to buy HW.
It is not recommended for use even as part of a multi-sig wallet. You will be exposing one half of your security protocol or one-third of it in a 2-of-3 and 3-of-5 respectively.
It is not half of security. In terms of security, losing one of the keys will not reduce your security. If you have a multi-signature address (2 out of 3) and you lost one of the signatures, the system is still completely secure as if you had not lost a key. But you must keep the other two keys.
So losing one of the keys increases the probability of losing all coins.
In the case of 2 out of 3, if two of the signatures are not secure, the system as a whole is not secure.
hero member
Activity: 644
Merit: 661
- Leo -
It can be used as part of a multi-signature wallet but if one is careful it can be secure but it is better to buy HW.
It is not recommended for use even as part of a multi-sig wallet. You will be exposing one half of your security protocol or one-third of it in a 2-of-3 and 3-of-5 respectively.
If you cannot get a hardware wallet, use a desktop or mobile wallet, preferably airgapped.

- Jay -
sr. member
Activity: 406
Merit: 443
bluewallet may be a very suitable option for you, it supports many features, Multisig Vault, Lightning, Coin Control and others https://bluewallet.io/features/ and you can use electrum wallet seed (although it is a bad option)

Online devices are not that secure. Use it for small amount of coins.
It can be used as part of a multi-signature wallet but if one is careful it can be secure but it is better to buy HW.
legendary
Activity: 2212
Merit: 5622
Non-custodial BTC Wallet
here, (of course) the first question I asked myself... can I create a secure wallet using this machine?
Online devices are not that secure. Use it for small amount of coins.

This is true. You actually cannot set anything secure enough.

The only secure wallet that you can set in this chromebook is a hardware wallet software.

Other than that, it will be as safe as any mobile wallet imo.
hero member
Activity: 826
Merit: 1010
Only BTC
Another is that you can not sign a message on mobile Electrum.
This is no longer true, from version 4.5.0 released earlier this year, you can now sign and verify message on Electrum for mobile.
https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/blob/master/RELEASE-NOTES
You can only freeze address on mobile Electrum while not able to freeze the UTXOs which is possible on desktop Electrum.
This is also no longer true, from version 4.5.0, you can also freeze utxo's in Electrum, and not just addresses. You can confirm it in the Electrum release notes i posted above.
legendary
Activity: 1512
Merit: 4795
I have used it, but there are just some slight functional limitations on the android app vs. the PC. For example, the PC version allows you to manually type in the fee rate in sats per vbyte while the android app does not have that option.
Not just slight. There are a lot of features desktop Electrum has that mobile Electrum do not have. Another is that you can not make use of console on mobile Electrum. Another is that you can not sign a message on mobile Electrum. Another is message encryption which is not available on mobile Electrum. During wallet setup, you can not make use of slip 39 on mobile Electrum. You can only freeze address on mobile Electrum while not able to freeze the UTXOs which is possible on desktop Electrum. You can not backup your file on mobile Electrum but you can do the backup be it encrypted or not encrypted on desktop Electrumn etc.
copper member
Activity: 2016
Merit: 1783
฿itcoin for all, All for ฿itcoin.
here, (of course) the first question I asked myself... can I create a secure wallet using this machine?
Not 100% secure if it's not air gapped.

Quote
I have seen there is an electrum version dedicated to android, have you ever tried to use it?
I have used it, but there are just some slight functional limitations on the android app vs. the PC. For example, the PC version allows you to manually type in the fee rate in sats per vbyte while the android app does not have that option.

In other words, the PC version has all the functions.
legendary
Activity: 1512
Merit: 4795
here, (of course) the first question I asked myself... can I create a secure wallet using this machine?
Online devices are not that secure. Use it for small amount of coins.

I have seen there is an electrum version dedicated to android, have you ever tried to use it?
I am using it sometimes and it is similar to desktop Electrum in a way that if you can use desktop Electrum, you will be able to use the mobile Electrum..

Do you know any tutorials or tips to complete this operation?
I do not know of any tutorials but to setup this is very similar to desktop Electrum.
legendary
Activity: 3178
Merit: 3440
Nec Recisa Recedit
Finally I get a chromebook as "backup laptop" and only for traveling.
here, (of course) the first question I asked myself... can I create a secure wallet using this machine?
I have seen there is an electrum version dedicated to android, have you ever tried to use it?
Do you know any tutorials or tips to complete this operation? I was also planning to create a linux usb (glacier protocol...)
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