Quote from: Meuh6879 on August 31, 2014, 12:08:47 PM

Hello, all members...

Regulary, members of this forum ask "how can secure store the bitcoins ?" Lips sealed

Well, the missing point is not a problem of "stolen" coin (or loosed coin) ... but, always, the choice of the software that it manage the "wallet" file. Kiss

Bitcoin is a network, right ... but like other specialized tool, it need a main operating (and well maintaining) recognize software : bitcoin-core (or bitcoin-QT, the old name). Cool

In my opinion, private and public key is "hell" to complicate to re-read after a long time. Undecided

So, for this thread, i have choose the "wallet" file generate by bitcoin-core software.
Please, use "encrypted" wallet to avoid a thrid party to easly use (and steal) bitcoins directly from you PC. Wink

You can choose other software but keep in mind that you MUST understand the "need to read" files that you saves.
Save is good ... but many people "think" that they always can retrieve (read) file in the future ... it's NOT TRUE. Cry

The other point is the ability to split files to avoid a HELL MASS DESTRUCTION of all coin.

In Bitcoin, store all coins in one adress is like running in rain : almost one time, you will be sick ! Roll Eyes

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1) Install Bitcoin-Core : https://bitcoin.org/bin/

2) Let the software retrieve the blockchain (take 48h max and 25Go at this 2014 calendar date)

3) Buy USB keys

It's important to buy "many" USB keys to store them is secury space ... or in multiples spaces (garden cabin, grandma house, church, at public library ...)

4) Now, the magic sauce to avoid "corrupted" files on USB Keys :

4-1) When you add a wallet file, create a folder ... each folders store the oldest wallets.
So, when you create the 4st folder in this list, it have the all previous wallet file store in the 1-2 and 3st oldest folders.

This is the view of the inside of 1 USB key ... the others USB key is exactly the same structure.

4-2) When you store file, it's important to do "archive protect structure" ... duplicate the same file is the key.
I use 7-Zip universal format to do this.

4-3) The final "duplicate method" is to store regulary a copy of a group of file ... this picture is simple to understand.

5) Optional securised system : in my opinion, if you have bitcoin ... you can buy a dedicated PC to install (and ONLY THIS) the bitcoin-core software.

Do this.

You don't want that your children play with malware installed game ... on a "money safe deposit PC machine".

Trust me ... all problem are always from a "family PC" because all human are different and don't care about security.
It's like when you work on a factory ... you don't car about read PPS at your desk because "you think" that the infrastructure of your business office is safe.

(Ah AH AH !)

6) In futur, when you have a corrupted USB key ... it's time to change all the 5 USB key buy in one shot.
It's impossible to have 5 USB key build in the same factory that it's fail in the same day.
All members that it have loosed coin ... it's because they have always 1 place of backup (mydocument folder).
It's stupid.
Don't be stupid with "your" money.
Be smart.
Buy many USB key to secure.
Place them in different space.

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Please, post in this thread your method with a description to help beginners bitcoin members.

I would rather store my wallet into a external hard disk or onto several Usb sticks to avoid data corruption,That's all