Want to do cold storage on an ubuntu dual boot desktokp w/ windows 7 is that ok?

Vene

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Quote from: jlga on March 15, 2015, 08:47:20 PM

Well now that i have read it all the comments i can comment for help you, i have years working with GNU/Linux OS
And i can afirm you that is completly safe only if at the moment of the Ubuntu installation, you select the option to cipher your home folder(is asked below your nickname and password)
What this do? every time when you go into ubuntu, your home folder will be mounted in a "separated" partition and decrypted for your login password.

And this is safe because the only way to read the file and data inyour home folder from other laptop or pc(if the hdd is thief) is input your passphrase that will it asked when ubuntu has started for first time.

about this:

Quote

Hmm, I think his way is fine, I created new partition and and installed Ubuntu (dual boot with Win 7), installed armory on ubuntu.
Since ubuntu created ext4 partition Windows wont be able to read it, .dat file is on ext4 partition. I suppose it is fairly secure.
When I want to make transaction I just log on Ubuntu and make offline signature. Since all network connections in ubuntu are terminated.
Thoughts?

There are tools to make windows read partitions (Ext2explorer, Ext2Fsd)

I understand, I have to encrypt it during install. I will do so. Thanks.

sgk

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!! HODL !!

Quote from: TinEye on March 16, 2015, 04:30:30 AM

Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 11:52:37 PM

Quote from: TinEye on March 15, 2015, 03:15:32 PM

Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 02:50:01 PM

I didn't understand the "wallet.dat file is still there" part.

Where did you first generate it? Where are you copying it everytime you try to use it?

Even if you delete, the file is easily recoverable from the HDD.

I have an old PC that's running on Windows XP.

--> I created a live Ubuntu CD
--> Booted computer from live Ubuntu CD
--> Installed MultiBit's linux version
--> Created a wallet with some addresses
--> Copied the wallet file to an external USB flash drive
--> Shut down the computer, removed the live Ubuntu CD
--> Booted the computer in Windows

Does this leave my wallet file anywhere on my HDD when I run it on Windows?
I copied the

It creates that file. Once you have copied and deleted the data is still on the HDD and may be recoverable. jlga's option is safer but it is still brute forceable.

It is easiest to get an old PC and make it a cold storage one, or buy a small HDD and swap it with the regular one.

I have my fair share of doubt about this.

Even the Bitcoin Wiki recommends this method for creating a cold storage:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_savings_wallet

I have followed the same method step-by-step and I'm fairly certain this does not make the wallet file recoverable after the computer is shut down.

But I'd like to have opinions from other experienced users who might have better understanding of the whole process.

TinEye

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Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 11:52:37 PM

Quote from: TinEye on March 15, 2015, 03:15:32 PM

Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 02:50:01 PM

I didn't understand the "wallet.dat file is still there" part.

Where did you first generate it? Where are you copying it everytime you try to use it?

Even if you delete, the file is easily recoverable from the HDD.

I have an old PC that's running on Windows XP.

--> I created a live Ubuntu CD
--> Booted computer from live Ubuntu CD
--> Installed MultiBit's linux version
--> Created a wallet with some addresses
--> Copied the wallet file to an external USB flash drive
--> Shut down the computer, removed the live Ubuntu CD
--> Booted the computer in Windows

Does this leave my wallet file anywhere on my HDD when I run it on Windows?
I copied the

It creates that file. Once you have copied and deleted the data is still on the HDD and may be recoverable. jlga's option is safer but it is still brute forceable.

It is easiest to get an old PC and make it a cold storage one, or buy a small HDD and swap it with the regular one.

sgk

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Activity: 1470

Merit: 1002

!! HODL !!

Quote from: TinEye on March 15, 2015, 03:15:32 PM

Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 02:50:01 PM

I didn't understand the "wallet.dat file is still there" part.

Where did you first generate it? Where are you copying it everytime you try to use it?

Even if you delete, the file is easily recoverable from the HDD.

I have an old PC that's running on Windows XP.

--> I created a live Ubuntu CD
--> Booted computer from live Ubuntu CD
--> Installed MultiBit's linux version
--> Created a wallet with some addresses
--> Copied the wallet file to an external USB flash drive
--> Shut down the computer, removed the live Ubuntu CD
--> Booted the computer in Windows

Does this leave my wallet file anywhere on my HDD when I run it on Windows?
I copied the

jlga

newbie

Activity: 44

Merit: 0

Well now that i have read it all the comments i can comment for help you, i have years working with GNU/Linux OS
And i can afirm you that is completly safe only if at the moment of the Ubuntu installation, you select the option to cipher your home folder(is asked below your nickname and password)
What this do? every time when you go into ubuntu, your home folder will be mounted in a "separated" partition and decrypted for your login password.

And this is safe because the only way to read the file and data inyour home folder from other laptop or pc(if the hdd is thief) is input your passphrase that will it asked when ubuntu has started for first time.

about this:

Quote

Hmm, I think his way is fine, I created new partition and and installed Ubuntu (dual boot with Win 7), installed armory on ubuntu.
Since ubuntu created ext4 partition Windows wont be able to read it, .dat file is on ext4 partition. I suppose it is fairly secure.
When I want to make transaction I just log on Ubuntu and make offline signature. Since all network connections in ubuntu are terminated.
Thoughts?

There are tools to make windows read partitions (Ext2explorer, Ext2Fsd)

lyth0s

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World Class Cryptonaire

Quote from: jeffhuys on March 15, 2015, 04:53:09 PM

Get a USB stick of 32 or 64 gigs with a live version of Tails on it, encrypted. Download the whole blockchain manually.
That's about the only way you can be sure that your coins are safe. DON'T FORGET to have a paper wallet, USB sticks can randomly fail...!!!!

The better option of this would be to just use the electrum on tails and remember the seed or allow it to be apart of the encrypted permanant drive on tails. Especially since electrum is already setup to sign offline transactions. Then make paper backups of the seed.

jeffhuys

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Activity: 252

Merit: 250

Get a USB stick of 32 or 64 gigs with a live version of Tails on it, encrypted. Download the whole blockchain manually.
That's about the only way you can be sure that your coins are safe. DON'T FORGET to have a paper wallet, USB sticks can randomly fail...!!!!

TinEye

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Activity: 639

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Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 02:50:01 PM

I didn't understand the "wallet.dat file is still there" part.

Where did you first generate it? Where are you copying it everytime you try to use it?

Even if you delete, the file is easily recoverable from the HDD.

Bergman

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Activity: 72

Merit: 10

I used an old computer that I just keep offline now. It would be nice if it was an old laptop, even easier. A machine that never goes online is probably the safest bet. But what you are doing is probably good if you don't have a lot of coins.

sgk

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Quote from: TinEye on March 15, 2015, 02:46:11 PM

Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 01:01:29 PM

Quote from: orangeman1979 on November 20, 2013, 04:07:15 PM

I want to dual boot my desktop for Windows 7 and Ubuntu (using Ubuntu as an offline cold storage device and using Armory as my cold storage wallet program), is this a good idea? I'd deactivate wifi on Ubuntu (or even remove the wifi usb stick). And if so, should i use the long term support version of ubuntu and just load armory on a usb stick to install, will that work?

For creating a cold storage, I would suggest you use a live Ubuntu CD.

Because when you have generated the cold wallet and copieed it over to a USB drive, you can just reboot the PC and remove the live disk and it is as good as formatting.
You don't want to keep any associated data to be on your operating system once you have created the cold wallet.

The wallet.dat file is still there and may be able to recovered. Its still a bad plan.

If the OP really wants to use the same PC, better to get a spare HDD and swap it with your normal one.

I didn't understand the "wallet.dat file is still there" part.
When you use a live Ubuntu CD and then reboot, how is the wallet file still there? It is where? (Apart from teh USB drive on which you copied the file)

TinEye

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Quote from: sgk on March 15, 2015, 01:01:29 PM

Quote from: orangeman1979 on November 20, 2013, 04:07:15 PM

I want to dual boot my desktop for Windows 7 and Ubuntu (using Ubuntu as an offline cold storage device and using Armory as my cold storage wallet program), is this a good idea? I'd deactivate wifi on Ubuntu (or even remove the wifi usb stick). And if so, should i use the long term support version of ubuntu and just load armory on a usb stick to install, will that work?

For creating a cold storage, I would suggest you use a live Ubuntu CD.

Because when you have generated the cold wallet and copieed it over to a USB drive, you can just reboot the PC and remove the live disk and it is as good as formatting.
You don't want to keep any associated data to be on your operating system once you have created the cold wallet.

The wallet.dat file is still there and may be able to recovered. Its still a bad plan.

If the OP really wants to use the same PC, better to get a spare HDD and swap it with your normal one.

sgk

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!! HODL !!

Quote from: orangeman1979 on November 20, 2013, 04:07:15 PM

I want to dual boot my desktop for Windows 7 and Ubuntu (using Ubuntu as an offline cold storage device and using Armory as my cold storage wallet program), is this a good idea? I'd deactivate wifi on Ubuntu (or even remove the wifi usb stick). And if so, should i use the long term support version of ubuntu and just load armory on a usb stick to install, will that work?

For creating a cold storage, I would suggest you use a live Ubuntu CD.

Because when you have generated the cold wallet and copieed it over to a USB drive, you can just reboot the PC and remove the live disk and it is as good as formatting.
You don't want to keep any associated data to be on your operating system once you have created the cold wallet.

twister

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Quote from: Vene on March 15, 2015, 08:22:04 AM

Quote from: beetcoin on November 20, 2013, 04:09:54 PM

your wallet.dat file will still be on your hard drive (the one that loads windows 7), so it won't be completely safe as in your hard drive that has your .dat file is still connected when you're online (with windows 7). i think it's a bad idea... just load ubuntu on another hard drive.

Hmm, I think his way is fine, I created new partition and and installed Ubuntu (dual boot with Win 7), installed armory on ubuntu.
Since ubuntu created ext4 partition Windows wont be able to read it, .dat file is on ext4 partition. I suppose it is fairly secure.
When I want to make transaction I just log on Ubuntu and make offline signature. Since all network connections in ubuntu are terminated.
Thoughts?

I think so too but I am not an expert on this so I am not going to suggest this to OP. When it comes to keeping your BTC safe, it's best to keep them completely off-line. Although I do think that it would be not easy for a malware or a virus to get to the wallet.dat file stored on the Ubuntu partition.

Vene

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Quote from: beetcoin on November 20, 2013, 04:09:54 PM

your wallet.dat file will still be on your hard drive (the one that loads windows 7), so it won't be completely safe as in your hard drive that has your .dat file is still connected when you're online (with windows 7). i think it's a bad idea... just load ubuntu on another hard drive.

Hmm, I think his way is fine, I created new partition and and installed Ubuntu (dual boot with Win 7), installed armory on ubuntu.
Since ubuntu created ext4 partition Windows wont be able to read it, .dat file is on ext4 partition. I suppose it is fairly secure.
When I want to make transaction I just log on Ubuntu and make offline signature. Since all network connections in ubuntu are terminated.
Thoughts?

orangeman1979

newbie

Activity: 16

Merit: 0

Quote from: beetcoin on November 20, 2013, 04:09:54 PM

your wallet.dat file will still be on your hard drive (the one that loads windows 7), so it won't be completely safe as in your hard drive that has your .dat file is still connected when you're online (with windows 7). i think it's a bad idea... just load ubuntu on another hard drive.

Ok thanks

beetcoin

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your wallet.dat file will still be on your hard drive (the one that loads windows 7), so it won't be completely safe as in your hard drive that has your .dat file is still connected when you're online (with windows 7). i think it's a bad idea... just load ubuntu on another hard drive.

orangeman1979

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Activity: 16

Merit: 0

I want to dual boot my desktop for Windows 7 and Ubuntu (using Ubuntu as an offline cold storage device and using Armory as my cold storage wallet program), is this a good idea? I'd deactivate wifi on Ubuntu (or even remove the wifi usb stick). And if so, should i use the long term support version of ubuntu and just load armory on a usb stick to install, will that work?

Topic: Want to do cold storage on an ubuntu dual boot desktokp w/ windows 7 is that ok? (Read 1244 times)