Topic: Using Linux Mint for crypto wallet (Read 207 times)

Unless it's a computer from the 2010 era, this is actually a good idea, I have a desktop with core2duo CPU and 8gig ram in my room that does nothing but gathering dust, it makes sense to use such for storing crypto wallets as I already have a ryzen gaming PC for browsing and other things.

It is much easier to use Linux for many reasons, you don't have to install most drivers like you would have to do on windows, but Linux is not totally bug free operating system.
Most Linux compared to wiNd0ws os is much better for security and it's not so much target for malware attack, that is why it's better to be used for Bitcoin and crypto wallets.
Linux Mint is fine but it is based on Ubuntu, and I prefer original Debian instead, and there is also Linux Mint Debian edition released recently.
I tried many wallets in Linux and they work perfectly fine, if I remember correctly Trezor Suite app asked me to install one additional package, and many wallets have appimages that work on all Linux distros.

Most Linux OS are Open Source, but there are some commercial versions you need to pay for, however major linux distros are much better for security.
You can even use something like Tails OS that is running on USB stick, and one forum member even created special Linux OS fork dedicated for cryprocurrencies.

For someone who can afford two computers, this is certainly a good option, far better than the "one computer for all" option. However, at a time when hardware wallets are cheap and affordable, I don't see much point in using more than one computer - unless it's a computer that serves as a cold wallet.

Besides, do people still use torrents and download pirated software as much as they used to in the past?

Yeah, although a lot of Qubes OS specific features don't work. For example, copying between Qubes whether its text or files. Also, you can't make use of Sys-usb inside a Windows machine via Qubes I don't believe.

Yeah, there we go this page covers the known limitations of a Windows operating system running in Qubes OS. I guess if you're going to be using it as a offline wallet, you wouldn't need many of the above features. Although, for users that want to easily copy their address from their offline qube that's storing their Bitcoin, I find the local/global copying system could be of use. Although, more of a inconvenience than a requirement.

Yeah, although to be a little more specific  a computer which isn't connected to the internet at all would be better, since then you aren't in danger of a compromised network being your down fall. So, not just a computer which you don't use for browsing, but one that you don't use for the internet at all. If you can't do something like this where physical isolation is the best policy, that's when a operating system like Qubes OS is the next best option.

Really, network/device wide you shouldn't be downloading anything that you haven't been able to verify the signature of, and obviously trust whoever signed that signature.

1. Do not use your PC for downloading movies and musics, you might easily click on a bad link.
2. Stay away from torrent downloading on PC.
3. Its more safer to use your PC for crypto wallet only and avoid browsing the internet on such PC, find another for browsing stuffs.

I have a friend that use an old desktop PC for crypto wallets only and uses his laptop for browsing the internet and downloading things.

You can run Linux inside Qubes OS. So, the way it works is basically Qubes OS attempt to provide isolation via virtual machines, so you could have your USB virtual machine known as sys-usb, network, firewall, and then your operating systems all separated. It allows running of Fedora34 (or whatever the version is now), and Debian right out of the box, so the installer allows you to choose.

It requires a decent machine to run, and not all hardware is compatible. You'll need a CPU that supports virtualisation to start with. Although, while I consider Qubes OS the most secure way of going about things, it definitely isn't for everyone. I couldn't possibly touch upon everything, so refer to the links I've got below.

Although, if you're looking to effectively become your own bank, then I don't think security should be compromised. Technically, you could create a Bitcoin wallet on a offline "Qube" (which are the virtual machines), and never have that connect to the internet. So, effectively its a offline wallet, however you can copy the Bitcoin address easy using another Qube, and using the global copying system. So, there would be benefits of doing it on Qubes, but ultimately physical isolation is always more beneficial than system isolation like Qubes. Though, Qubes is better than just running a virtual machine via vmware or VirtualBox.

Qubes OS is my main operating system, although I don't use it for storing Bitcoin. I use physical isolation, which ultimately I would recommend over Qubes. Qubes though if you care about security, should probably be considered.

Luckily, despite Qubes OS being quite different from a normal OS, its got brilliant documentation. You can read about the general idea for security here: https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/security-design-goals/ or if you want to dive deeper, check out the docs: https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/

Must you reply? I'm asking welsh not you, if you find the question stupid just don't reply, it's none of your business, in this age of the internet you say? Will Google tell me about users experience or just what Qubes OS is? I am asking from someone who have actually used the OS before. MFYP.

A very stupid question in the age of the internet. Have you heard of search engines? Does Google work in your region? Or how to search on the Internet?
This is not a criticism, mate. Just try asking questions that are really hard for you to find answers to.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qubes_OS

What is Qubes OS? Is this another Linux OS like Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora? Or it has nothing to do with Linux OS (Standalone OS) out of the box? I actually like giving chance to new OS thats not windows OS, also what type of security you referring to? Is there any way I can read more about this Qubes OS?.

A user that is careful, and avoids downloading random stuff on a Windows machine, will be safer than a Linux user that downloads stuff from random websites. Basically, it really does depend on how you use it. Linux tends to have some permissions which help with security, although if a user is downloading random stuff or not verifying the signature, they'll likely bypass those additional security measures by elevating the permissions.

Most operating systems of today are decently secure. If you want ultimate security install Qubes OS. If you want moderate out of the box security go with either Linux or Windows, ultimately it depends on how you use it. Same goes for Qubes, while it definitely is more security conscious than a lot of other operating systems, and you will be protected more by default, it really does depend on how you use the virtual machines.

If you want ultimate security, create a wallet on a offline machine. It's the only way to secure from online threats. Obviously, there are still physical threats depending on how you're storing the backup or wallet i.e still make sure to encrypt it.

You can install Linux on a virtual machine such as VirtualBox, for example. Try to work on it, and also install a wallet on it. Finally, if you learn Linux for the first time, you will have some experience, and you will feel for yourself whether it is convenient for you or not.

I got so used to new systems, trying each one and evaluating all the pros and cons. There are, for example, the most secure Linux systems, and Linux Mint is very suitable for beginners. But when it comes to security, there can be bugs everywhere if the user doesn't understand all the steps.

However, you are entirely correct in your assessment that you should not put your trust in Windows systems. It's better to master open-source systems.

Linux-type OS must be considered safe but it always depends on the people on how they protect their PC. If you open a server on Linux mint it's open port enabled so your IP can be scanned by some hackers who always scan for IPs with open ports and later on do some attacks like DDOS attacks or do a brute force until they can fully control your PC.

So there is no best OS or safer it depends on you how you protect your wallet. If you want a safer wallet then go to hardware wallets use any OS of your choice just make sure that you know how to protect your PC like on Windows you need to protect your PC from any virus and malware attacks by installing Antivirus or Linux mint or any Linux type always disable open ports and you don't have much knowledge about Linux I suggest switch back to Windows because without knowledge how can you protect your wallet from any attacks online?

Yes, you can run Electrum AppImage, Trezor Suite, and Ledger Live AppImage. I used all of them on Mint and FossaPup, never had the problem.

about security, it depends on you. there are some people who even use military security defense, but still can be hacked.

In general, your idea is good and using Linux as crypto wallet  is safer than Windows. It's even better if you use this system only to interact with your wallet and nothing else. I like the course of your thought and the direction in which you see the solution of the security issue.

You can also try Tails OS (Linux distributive), which is privacy oriented and has electrum wallet built in out of the box. Just don't forget to check electrum version, if you will use Tails, as well as verify GPG-signature.

But keep in mind that in order to install applications on Linux, you will have to learn how to use the command line (usually, all applications have instructions).


Yes you are right. It doesn't hurt a beginner to get familiar with the basics of Linux first, but in general, most applications look exactly the same as they do on Windows.

I'm not a cyber security expert, but I know that if I've verified the signature of an open-source software, in this case Linux Mint OS, it is safe to assume that it's more secure than another that is closed-source. Especially if I've taken some necessary precautions like configuring firewall appropriately. Transparency ≠ dishonesty.

If it doesn't connect to the internet at all, it's considered even safer.

Linux is considered safer than Windows but it depends on who's using it as you can unknowingly install a virus on either with the same level of simplicity.

I'd try to get accustomed to using it though in advance of installing anything significant like a crypto wallet.

Linux is less buggy I want to know if I can run crypto wallet this OS, I want to know if this is safer than windows 10 or are they the same when it comes to security? Anyone using their crypto wallet on Linux? I choose Linux Mint

I also read that Linux is Open Source while Windows 10 can be considered a Closed Source what came to my mind at first was SECURITY.