Where does electrum store the private key when unencrypted? (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 1 year ago by PopularUsername@lemmy.sdf.org to c/bitcoin@lemmy.ml

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Just wondering if there is a risk of it being recoverable after the transaction has been completed. I figured it would be stored in RAM and thus unrecoverable after powering down, but I can't seem to find anything on that.

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[-] makeasnek@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago

While I haven't read the source code myself, convention is that it would just be stored in memory, there is no reason for it to be stored on the drive and it would present security risks.

[-] PopularUsername@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago

Okay thanks, that makes sense. I'm not highly technical so I'm just trying to run through every potential risk. That was the last thing bugging me.

[-] makeasnek@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago

Full-disk encryption with something like veracrypt can help mitigate any concerns about this. So long as an attacker does not have access to your computer while powered on (cold boot attacks/evil maid attacks etc), you are fine. For example, if a burglar absconds with your laptop encrypted w veracrypt and it's powered off? They're never getting the bitcoin wallet or anything else you had stored on there.

[-] PopularUsername@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the tip, I'll look into that

this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2023

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