Brainwallet - Revision history

MisiNagy: two small spelling mistakes

2025-01-09T16:43:14Z

two small spelling mistakes

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 9 January 2025
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	* Now you reach the kitchen, girlfriend is looking at Picasso's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_%28Picasso%29 Guernica] on the wall. She is in '''despair''' from it. Next to it is a television playing the show Dawson's '''Creek'''.		* Now you reach the kitchen, girlfriend is looking at Picasso's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_%28Picasso%29 Guernica] on the wall. She is in '''despair''' from it. Next to it is a television playing the show Dawson's '''Creek'''.
	* Next you're in the garage, your childhood friend is working on his car. He plans to go on a '''road''' trip for the 5th time this month, he's going '''again'''.		* Next you're in the garage, your childhood friend is working on his car. He plans to go on a '''road''' trip for the 5th time this month, he's going '''again'''.
	* Finally to go outside to the garden. It's early spring and the ground is covered in melting '''ice'''. Two of your other friends are there, one friend has a huge basket of apples, the other has a smaller basket but you're holding only some apples. You've got the '''least''' apples.		* Finally you go outside to the garden. It's early spring and the ground is covered in melting '''ice'''. Two of your other friends are there, one friend has a huge basket of apples, the other has a smaller basket but you're holding only some apples. You've got the '''least''' apples.

	Repeat this story in your head several times over a short period - the first few days. It will sink in, deep, after that. You'll only have to revisit it very occasionally. After a while you can ignore it for months and it'll still come back, not that I'd recommend relying on that.		Repeat this story in your head several times over a short period - the first few days. It will sink in, deep, after that. You'll only have to revisit it very occasionally. After a while you can ignore it for months and it'll still come back, not that I'd recommend relying on that.
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	== Obsolete Brainwallet Style ==		== Obsolete Brainwallet Style ==

	An early old-style brainwallet was created by memorization of a passphrase and converting it a [[private key]] with a hashing or key derivation algorithm (example: SHA256). That private key is then used to compute a Bitcoin address. This method was found to be very insecure and '''should not be used'''. Humans are not a good source of entropy. Using a single address also has problems associated with [[address reuse]].		An early old-style brainwallet was created by memorization of a passphrase and converting it into a [[private key]] with a hashing or key derivation algorithm (example: SHA256). That private key is then used to compute a Bitcoin address. This method was found to be very insecure and '''should not be used'''. Humans are not a good source of entropy. Using a single address also has problems associated with [[address reuse]].

	=== Low Entropy from Human-Generated Passphrases ===		=== Low Entropy from Human-Generated Passphrases ===

Jesse.am: /* Obsolete Brainwallet Style */ deleted a repeated word

2022-08-30T20:37:52Z

Obsolete Brainwallet Style: deleted a repeated word

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 30 August 2022
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	== Obsolete Brainwallet Style ==		== Obsolete Brainwallet Style ==

	An early old-style brainwallet was created by by memorization of a passphrase and converting it a [[private key]] with a hashing or key derivation algorithm (example: SHA256). That private key is then used to compute a Bitcoin address. This method was found to be very insecure and '''should not be used'''. Humans are not a good source of entropy. Using a single address also has problems associated with [[address reuse]].		An early old-style brainwallet was created by memorization of a passphrase and converting it a [[private key]] with a hashing or key derivation algorithm (example: SHA256). That private key is then used to compute a Bitcoin address. This method was found to be very insecure and '''should not be used'''. Humans are not a good source of entropy. Using a single address also has problems associated with [[address reuse]].

	=== Low Entropy from Human-Generated Passphrases ===		=== Low Entropy from Human-Generated Passphrases ===

Belcher: /* Worked Example */ The correct name for this technique is the method of loci

2022-05-29T18:02:38Z

Worked Example: The correct name for this technique is the method of loci

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:02, 29 May 2022
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	# Run [[Electrum]] and use it to generate a [[seed phrase]].		# Run [[Electrum]] and use it to generate a [[seed phrase]].
	# Memorize the phrase using ~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/~~Mnemonic_peg_system~~		# Memorize the phrase using https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_loci
	# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.		# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.

	=== Example ~~Mnemonic Peg~~ ===		=== Example memory palace technique ===
	To memorize a seed with this method you must invent a story which hits the words as "keynotes". Try to make it like a fairy tale story, use imagery. Make it somehow striking and emotionally resonant. When remembering you just remember the key words, not all the other words - the other can be remembered more as images and thoughts (which are hard to write down)		To memorize a seed with this method you must invent a story which hits the words as "keynotes". The story should involve you in your imagination walking through a place very familiar to you, such as your childhood home. Try to make it like a fairy tale story, use imagery. Make it somehow striking and emotionally resonant. When remembering you just remember the key words, not all the other words - the other can be remembered more as images and thoughts (which are hard to write down)

	Let's say we have this seed:		Let's say we have this seed:
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	Repeat this story in your head several times over a short period - the first few days. It will sink in, deep, after that. You'll only have to revisit it very occasionally. After a while you can ignore it for months and it'll still come back, not that I'd recommend relying on that.		Repeat this story in your head several times over a short period - the first few days. It will sink in, deep, after that. You'll only have to revisit it very occasionally. After a while you can ignore it for months and it'll still come back, not that I'd recommend relying on that.

	=== Video Example of ~~Mnemonic Peg~~ Method ===		=== Video Example of the Memory Loci Method ===

	From the BBC documentary The Human Mind (2003) by Professor Robert Winston. Approximately 31 minutes in. Memorizing a list of 30 random words.		From the BBC documentary The Human Mind (2003) by Professor Robert Winston. Approximately 31 minutes in. Memorizing a list of 30 random words.

Belcher: /* Worked Example */ Simplify example, the reader doesnt need to think about cold storage here

2020-12-21T23:53:34Z

Worked Example: Simplify example, the reader doesnt need to think about cold storage here

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:53, 21 December 2020
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	== Worked Example ==		== Worked Example ==

	# ~~On a computer with no malware, run~~ [[Electrum]] and generate a [[seed phrase]].		# Run [[Electrum]] and use it to generate a [[seed phrase]].
	# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system		# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system
	# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.		# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.
	~~# Use the master public key to create an online watch-only wallet, where you can send to but not spend.~~
	~~# Spend from the wallet in the manner of [[Cold_storage\|deep cold storage]]. Transferring the unsigned transaction to the cold storage computer, signing it and broadcasting to the network.~~

	=== Example Mnemonic Peg ===		=== Example Mnemonic Peg ===

Belcher: add words for elaboration

2020-12-21T23:51:49Z

add words for elaboration

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:51, 21 December 2020
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	To create a brainwallet, use Bitcoin wallet software to generate a seed phrase and then memorize it. Such seeds are generated by wallets like [[Electrum]], [[Armory]] and [[Mycelium]].		To create a brainwallet, use Bitcoin wallet software to generate a seed phrase and then memorize it. Such seeds are generated by wallets like [[Electrum]], [[Armory]] and [[Mycelium]].

	Brainwallets are not recommended to be used in general because of fallible human memory. But in special situations they could be very useful, for example when fleeing a country with only the clothes on your back.		Brainwallets are not recommended to be used in general because of fallible human memory. But in special situations they could be very useful, for example when fleeing a country as a refugee with only the clothes on your back.

	== Worked Example ==		== Worked Example ==

Noonedanger: Added missing word ("move the out" to "move the coins out")

2019-12-29T19:02:23Z

Added missing word ("move the out" to "move the coins out")

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:02, 29 December 2019
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	=== Legacy Code ===		=== Legacy Code ===

	If you have coins in an old-style brainwallet, the website http://www.bitaddress.org/ contains a GUI for generating the private key using the sha256(passphrase) algorithm. It's highly recommended you move the out as soon as you can.		If you have coins in an old-style brainwallet, the website http://www.bitaddress.org/ contains a GUI for generating the private key using the sha256(passphrase) algorithm. It's highly recommended you move the coins out as soon as you can.

	=References=		=References=

Belcher: Reverted edits by Peterjames (talk) to last revision by Belcher

2019-06-30T08:52:41Z

Reverted edits by Peterjames (talk) to last revision by Belcher

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:52, 30 June 2019
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	# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system		# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system
	# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.		# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.
	# Use the master public key to create an online ~~[https://whotookmycrypto.com/watch-only-wallets/~~ watch-only wallet], where you can send to but not spend.		# Use the master public key to create an online watch-only wallet, where you can send to but not spend.
	# Spend from the wallet in the manner of [[Cold_storage\|deep cold storage]]. Transferring the unsigned transaction to the cold storage computer, signing it and broadcasting to the network.		# Spend from the wallet in the manner of [[Cold_storage\|deep cold storage]]. Transferring the unsigned transaction to the cold storage computer, signing it and broadcasting to the network.

Peterjames at 04:34, 29 June 2019

2019-06-29T04:34:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:34, 29 June 2019
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	# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system		# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system
	# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.		# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.
	# Use the master public key to create an online watch-only wallet, where you can send to but not spend.		# Use the master public key to create an online [https://whotookmycrypto.com/watch-only-wallets/ watch-only wallet], where you can send to but not spend.
	# Spend from the wallet in the manner of [[Cold_storage\|deep cold storage]]. Transferring the unsigned transaction to the cold storage computer, signing it and broadcasting to the network.		# Spend from the wallet in the manner of [[Cold_storage\|deep cold storage]]. Transferring the unsigned transaction to the cold storage computer, signing it and broadcasting to the network.

Belcher: /* Fallible Memory Warning */ added note about only storing the seed in your brain is like having no backups

2018-10-04T17:16:06Z

Fallible Memory Warning: added note about only storing the seed in your brain is like having no backups

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:16, 4 October 2018
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	=== Fallible Memory Warning ===		=== Fallible Memory Warning ===
	Despite the memory aids, human memory can be very fallible. So if your only storage is memory you may find that it just vanished one day.		Despite the memory aids, human memory can be very fallible. So if your only storage is memory you may find that it just vanished one day.

			Data should always be backed up. Storing a seed phrase in one place is bad, even if that one place is your brain.

	== Obsolete Brainwallet Style ==		== Obsolete Brainwallet Style ==

Belcher: renamed all "mnemonic phrase" to "seed phrase"

2018-07-17T12:04:01Z

renamed all "mnemonic phrase" to "seed phrase"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:04, 17 July 2018
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	A '''brainwallet''' refers to the concept of storing Bitcoins in one's own mind by memorizing a [[~~Mnemonic phrase\|mnemonic recovery~~ phrase]]. If the ~~mnemonic~~ is not recorded anywhere, the Bitcoins can be thought of as being held only in the mind of the owner. If a brainwallet is forgotten or the person dies or is permanently incapacitated, the Bitcoins are lost forever. Using memory techniques allow them to be memorized and recalled easily.		A '''brainwallet''' refers to the concept of storing Bitcoins in one's own mind by memorizing a [[seed phrase]]. If the seed is not recorded anywhere, the Bitcoins can be thought of as being held only in the mind of the owner. If a brainwallet is forgotten or the person dies or is permanently incapacitated, the Bitcoins are lost forever. Using memory techniques allow them to be memorized and recalled easily.

	To create a brainwallet, use Bitcoin wallet software to generate a ~~mnemonic~~ seed and then memorize it. Such seeds are generated by wallets like [[Electrum]], [[Armory]] and [[Mycelium]].		To create a brainwallet, use Bitcoin wallet software to generate a seed phrase and then memorize it. Such seeds are generated by wallets like [[Electrum]], [[Armory]] and [[Mycelium]].

	Brainwallets are not recommended to be used in general because of fallible human memory. But in special situations they could be very useful, for example when fleeing a country with only the clothes on your back.		Brainwallets are not recommended to be used in general because of fallible human memory. But in special situations they could be very useful, for example when fleeing a country with only the clothes on your back.
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	== Worked Example ==		== Worked Example ==

	# On a computer with no malware, run [[Electrum]] and generate a [[~~Mnemonic phrase\|mnemonic recovery~~ phrase]].		# On a computer with no malware, run [[Electrum]] and generate a [[seed phrase]].
	# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system		# Memorize the phrase using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system
	# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.		# When spending or saving, restore the wallet from memory using the phrase.
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	=== Example Mnemonic Peg ===		=== Example Mnemonic Peg ===
	To memorize a ~~mnemonic~~ seed with this method you must invent a story which hits the words as "keynotes". Try to make it like a fairy tale story, use imagery. Make it somehow striking and emotionally resonant. When remembering you just remember the key words, not all the other words - the other can be remembered more as images and thoughts (which are hard to write down)		To memorize a seed with this method you must invent a story which hits the words as "keynotes". Try to make it like a fairy tale story, use imagery. Make it somehow striking and emotionally resonant. When remembering you just remember the key words, not all the other words - the other can be remembered more as images and thoughts (which are hard to write down)

	Let's say we have this seed:		Let's say we have this seed: