Quote from: LFC_Bitcoin on October 27, 2014, 10:09:33 PM

I'm going to sound like a total BTC noob here but **** it.....

I use blockchain.info as my wallet, I make regular backups when I buy BTC but.....

I have a written down copy of my address
I have a copy of my private key (I think it's the private key, begins with a 5 & 51 characters long, anybody? Huh

)

If blockchain.info does a Moolah or an MtGox am I safe as I have a copy of the above?
Please tell me this is all I'd need to restore my wallet balance somewhere else?

It's the only fear I have, losing all my coins.
I don't want to create a paper wallet but am I ok because I have the above written down in a safe place?

Please somebody?

The key is probably your base58 private key. Testnet's base58 private key starts with 9 and mainnet's starts with 5. It is 52 characters long so that is indeed your private key. You are alright if they shut down as you have control of your own coins. If they shutdown, just use the key and you can sent all your coins elsewhere.

Quote from: szmarco on October 28, 2014, 12:40:43 AM

Every one holding your address private key have the right to move your coins to another.
So if blockchain.info have your key, they can do anything with your coins.
You should use cold wallet and move your coins to your cold wallet address. Then make sure you are the only one holding the key.

Yes, blockchain.info have your key BUT they are encrypted with your password. The source code is opensourced so you can review it yourself. AFAIK, they don't send the password to the server. When you key in your identifier, the javascript requests an encrypted copy of your private key. To decrypt the key, you have to correctly key in the password.