When the full blockchain download was still around 340 gigabytes, the monthly download usage specified in the article was 200 gigabyte or more monthly.
The article is talking about the possible "
upload" bandwidth because a full node may also send its blockchain to its peers that are in IBD.
What is best way to maintain your privacy sending btc payment with Electrum wallet?
As suggested by the majority, using your own server and connecting to Tor is the best solution.
That requires a full node so if you ever consider using the full node's wallet as is, just use Bitcoin Core for simplicity of the setup.
If setting-up a server or full node isn't an option, you could select a server that "
claimed" that they do not keep logs (
like Blockstream's server)
But since it's only their words, it involves trust, trust that they wouldn't map your IP to your Bitcoin addresses.
Additionally, it's a matter of handling your addresses and UTXOs.
As I suggested in the other thread, use your addresses only once to receive and do not link your UTXOs by using more than one in a single transactions.
Electrum already has a quite good features aimed for privacy (
only in terms of address/coins usage):
- Electrum's coin-selection algorithm already does the above as long as the amount to send requires only one UTXO.
So when receiving, if possible, prioritize higher amounts than multiple small amounts so that your transactions wont be needing two or more to send large amounts.
If it requires manual coin-control, it also has an option to freeze or select coin: coin-control instructions (requires good knowledge about privacy). - Electrum's 'Receive' tab automatically manages your addresses in a way that an address issued by an unexpired invoice wont be issued in another invoice.
So, if unsure, use your receive tab to get new unused address and use only one invoice per transaction. Do not set an expiration if you're not sure when the payer will send or the address will be reissued once the invoice has expired.
