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Topic: multibit classic backup question (Read 1018 times)

hero member
Activity: 658
Merit: 501
Hackers please hack me .... if you can :)
November 03, 2016, 02:06:14 AM
#6
if i backup the wallet file(private keys) is such backup enough? i plan to restore it only like once a month from usb to maybe to check balance and maybe sometimes make a few transactions

I have lost coins stored on USB flash drives when they broke down. You should also back up to another option like a CD. It's not only old USB flash drives that break down, it's new ones too. I bought two identical drives, and one had broken within a month. The controller chip had broken inside it, which stopped windows from recognising it, so I couldn't try using data recovery software to get my private keys back off it.

Backing up the private keys in multibit classic is fine unless you want to start using them in multibit HD. Unfortunately there is no option that I know of to import a multibit classic private key into multibit HD. Nevertheless you can import a multibit classic private key into other wallets like electrum or core.

IMO multibit HD should have an option to import multibit classic keys because people expect backwards compatibility.

You can do a bit better. First of you can add the private keys in a password protected word or excel document and then add it to a .rar again password protected document. Store it in 2-3 USB-s like you have done (chances are low they to break down in the same period) , also on CD, external HDD.

You can add this document to Google driver or One drive (not sure if .RAR password protected documents are allowed but they should be normally).

As a last advice before judging that the inside chip of your USB has been broken try the last resort Ultimate Hiren Boot CD to check if the USB is really broke or it's just windows.
legendary
Activity: 2772
Merit: 2846
October 27, 2016, 01:48:58 PM
#5
if i backup the wallet file(private keys) is such backup enough? i plan to restore it only like once a month from usb to maybe to check balance and maybe sometimes make a few transactions

I have lost coins stored on USB flash drives when they broke down. You should also back up to another option like a CD. It's not only old USB flash drives that break down, it's new ones too. I bought two identical drives, and one had broken within a month. The controller chip had broken inside it, which stopped windows from recognising it, so I couldn't try using data recovery software to get my private keys back off it.

Backing up the private keys in multibit classic is fine unless you want to start using them in multibit HD. Unfortunately there is no option that I know of to import a multibit classic private key into multibit HD. Nevertheless you can import a multibit classic private key into other wallets like electrum or core.

IMO multibit HD should have an option to import multibit classic keys because people expect backwards compatibility.
legendary
Activity: 2898
Merit: 1823
September 30, 2016, 08:45:05 PM
#4
I personally like backing up my whole Multibit folder offline by using a USB drive. The data folder is located somewhere in the application data folder in Windows and in your home folder in Linux.  Note that the app data folder might be hidden in Windows so just unhide hidden folders for it to be easier to access.

If you want to be safe, it would be better to cut that folder out of your computer and place it in a couple of USB's. You can also encrypt that folder by using open source encryption software that can be found online.  I hope that helps.

But i was reading that after you spend anything the client makes new (change) address automatically so if i have the first private key the one that holds BTC now and use it will that money be still on that private key or after spending some little amount i have to make again fresh backup?

As long as you do not generate any new Bitcoin addresses then your current back ups will be fine. Anything you have spent and anything you have received will be automatically updated by the network once you fire up Mutltibit even if you used an old back up. But keep in mind that any addresses that you generate after that said back up will not be included so it is wise to back up everytime you generate a new address.

A good habit to have is to back up all your Multibit data everytime you use it just to be sure whether you generated a new address or not. It would also be good to encrypt all your data using veracrypt and cryptomator. You can also zip the Multibit folder first and put a password in the zipfile. That is already 3 layers of protection + your wallet password.

It will be a pain to do all this at first but as your Bitcoin amount grows larger and larger you will find many ways just to feel safe and secure with your money. 
newbie
Activity: 16
Merit: 0
September 30, 2016, 04:10:28 AM
#3
I personally like backing up my whole Multibit folder offline by using a USB drive. The data folder is located somewhere in the application data folder in Windows and in your home folder in Linux.  Note that the app data folder might be hidden in Windows so just unhide hidden folders for it to be easier to access.

If you want to be safe, it would be better to cut that folder out of your computer and place it in a couple of USB's. You can also encrypt that folder by using open source encryption software that can be found online.  I hope that helps.

But i was reading that after you spend anything the client makes new (change) address automatically so if i have the first private key the one that holds BTC now and use it will that money be still on that private key or after spending some little amount i have to make again fresh backup?
legendary
Activity: 2898
Merit: 1823
September 29, 2016, 11:41:48 PM
#2
I personally like backing up my whole Multibit folder offline by using a USB drive. The data folder is located somewhere in the application data folder in Windows and in your home folder in Linux.  Note that the app data folder might be hidden in Windows so just unhide hidden folders for it to be easier to access.

If you want to be safe, it would be better to cut that folder out of your computer and place it in a couple of USB's. You can also encrypt that folder by using open source encryption software that can be found online.  I hope that helps.
newbie
Activity: 16
Merit: 0
September 29, 2016, 04:11:05 PM
#1
if i backup the wallet file(private keys) is such backup enough? i plan to restore it only like once a month from usb to maybe to check balance and maybe sometimes make a few transactions
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