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                                                         "The best bitcoin is the one you store yourself"

METHOD 3: Password protected pdf file stored on usb or other offline storage

Security Level = HIGH


Amount of work to setup = Moderate
 
Advantages = A password protected pdf file with a well chosen password (at least 26 characters long), using version format PDF1.6 (which corresponds with Adobe Acrobat 7) is highly secure as it uses widely recognized and secure AES128 encryption algorithms and password handling procedures. Password protected pdf files with pdf formats PDF1.3, PDF1.4 or PDF1.5 are also OK as long as they are encrypted with AES128. For some reason Adobe Acrobat did it perfectly when they created Adobe Acrobat 7. Do not use newer versions of Adobe (Adobe Acrobat 8 and above) to password protect the document (including those using AES256 encryption) as there are known password handling security weaknesses in some of these, which makes shorter passwords more vulnerable. Absolutely do not use older versions of Adobe Acrobat (such as Acrobat 3, 4, 5 or 6) to password protect your document since these use weak encryption (such as RC4 40-bit or 128 bit RC4) and are easily cracked. 
 
The document properties Security tab of the password protected pdf file once created and opened by the prescribed program MUST show ‘Security Level: Acrobat 7 onwards (128-bit AES)’, and MUST have the checkbox ticked besides where it says ‘Required to Open Document’. Always check it.
 
AES128 (advanced encryption standard) was previously the standard encryption used by the NSA to store top secret data. They now use AES256 which is, in our opinion, no more secure than AES128. Any technology or method that can break AES128 will also break AES256. AES128 or AES256 is the standard algorithm used to encrypt your password when you access online websites that use https, such as facebook, paypal and gmail. It has been used so widely that it has proven itself in terms of security, and any weaknesses in its design should have been discovered by now. It was originally invented by expert cryptologists with strong knowledge of data security systems and was the one voted as the replacement for the insecure DES56 encryption (data encryption standard). 
 
Storing your electrum seeds, and public and private keys on an open/user (not owner) password protected pdf file that has been encrypted in this way is highly secure. Your electrum wallet’s built in password protection system is also secured with AES encryption however the pdf file is more secure in our opinion because it is stored in a less easy to access location not on your main computer, which means it is less easily hacked or compromised by key loggers, malware or other hacking programs. It is also stored on drives that are infrequently accessed; and when accessed are done in ways which are near impossible to steal from. This means hackers are very unlikely to be able to steal your password. Pdf software is also easier to use, more likely to be compatible with future computing technologies, and less likely to become redundant in the future than electrum software which makes it more future proof.

 
Disadvantages = It is more troublesome to transact regularly with bitcoins stored in this way, and is still vulnerable to compromise if the password is stolen as there is no secondary security measure such as 2 factor authentication, ip address verification, or remote sever signing. If you are planning to do a lot of regular transactions, then using an electrum wallet is a better option. Otherwise, if you mainly want to store or backup your bitcoin information and only occasionally access it, this is a superior method.

GUIDELINES

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NOTE: When this guide was first prepared, it was done so with the intention of being used on one single computer that contained your regular internet connected operating system (a Windows OS in this particular case). The idea was to run the Linux usb operating system on this same computer from a usb drive, in order to create your bitcoin private keys, before using the encrypted file containing the bitcoin private keys on your regular internet connected operating system. This can still be done by following the procedures in this guide, however it needs to be emphasized that we no longer regard this to be secure enough for regular use.

All the additional notes in BLUE font are work-in-progress/ additional or alternate steps that if followed will make this storage method more secure. They can be followed in full or in part and will be part of a future guide that is currently being worked on. The safest way to use this method is to do it on a dedicated and completely offline computer that is never ever connected to the internet. Scroll to the very bottom of this Method 3 (Cold storage) webpage and read the section “2020 UPDATE: CRITICAL UPDATE...” for more details.

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  • For Method 3, you will need to use a laptop. This will eliminate the threat of hardware keyloggers and the danger of hardware data leaks via cables, monitors and other devices.
 
  • You will need to either print the instructions out beforehand or view the instructions on a different computer (such as a smart phone, tablet or laptop) for Steps 3.1 – Step 9.14 (of Method 3). Or you could copy and paste all these instructions onto a Microsoft word or other text document and view the instructions from there.
 
  • The computer needs to have at least 2 free usb ports before starting.


  • You will need 3 usb drives with at least 2 gig data storage each. We will name these Usb No. 1, Usb No. 2 and Usb X. Two gig data storage is actually the ideal size to enable quick formatting and ease of use. Users can make use of a program called “BOOTICEx86” to shrink any usb drives of larger size down to 2gb or less (recommended). Just be careful not to accidently format your other computer hard disks. See the “BOOTICEx86” section after the ‘ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE’ and before the ‘ADDITIONAL INFORMATION’ section in Method 3, for instructions of how to do this.

 

  • You will need an internet connection.

 

  • The following steps are specifically for a Windows 7 operating system but you should be able to get it to work on most Windows operating systems as well as some other operating systems.

 

  • A couple of the programs used in this method can easily be replaced with an alternative program. Whenever an alternative program can be used, an asterisk will appear after it (eg. *1). You can go to the end of the guide to read about them. Generally, it is recommended however that you use the main software programs shown in this tutorial as these are the easiest to use and are free as of the date this guide was written.


  • You will need 1 extra usb (named extra-Usb) that has been pre-formatted to serve as the final cold storage resting place of all your encrypted files. This makes a total of 4 usb’s.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

  • Alternatively, you can store the final encrypted file/s on a CD or DVD by burning them onto it while using the Linux operating system. The in-house burner program is called 'Brasero'. If you choose to do this (which is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) then you will also need to have 1 (but ideally 2) CD/DVD writer drive/s connected to the computer. These CD/DVD drives can be either inbuilt into the laptop or connected externally via usb.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

HOW TO DO IT


Step 1: Prepare to install needed files 
 
        Step 1.1: Check that there are no devices attached to any of your laptop’s usb or other entry ports besides your wired mouse and power plug.
 
        Step 1.2: Connect each of your usb drives one by one and do a complete format of each of them (a complete format should be done and not a quick format). Windows 7: Right click usb drive > click ‘Format…’ > Uncheck ‘Quick Format’ > click ‘Start’ > click ‘OK’.
 
       Step 1.3: Download and install ‘Eraser’ software available from https://eraser.heidi.ie/download/ onto your main computer. The most recent version is OK but if you can find it strongly prefer version ‘Eraser 6.2.0.2979’. Windows 7: Right click program > click ‘Open’ > click ‘Yes’ in ‘User Account Control’ screen > click ‘Next’ > Tick ‘I accept the terms in the License Agreement’ > click ‘Next’ > click ‘Typical’ > click ‘Install’ > click ‘Finish’.
 
        Step 1.4: Download ‘Rufus’ from https://rufus.akeo.ie/. The most recent version should work but if you can still find it, use version ‘Rufus 2.11’. Save it onto your main computer. * 1. Users who have partitioned their usb drives using ‘BOOTICEx86’ need to use the alternative software * 1. Go to the end of this guide under the heading ‘ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE’ to read about where to download it.
 
        Step 1.5: Download an ISO of ‘Zorin OS Core’ Linux operating system from https://zorinos.com/download/. The most recent version should work but if you can find it, strongly prefer the ‘Zorin OS 12 Core’ version and the correct bit edition (32 bit or 64 bit) for your computer (use 32 bit edition if in doubt). Save it onto your main computer. Version 'Zorin-OS-12-Core-32-20161121' and version 'Zorin-OS-12-Core-64-20161120' are the versions that exactly matches the instructions provided here and will be the easiest to work with. If you can't find these versions from the official website then you can do an online search and download it from a different website. If you download from another site, check that the checksum of the file is correct (see our ‘Checksums’ page in our Security section for details) * 2.
 
        Step 1.6: Download ‘Foxit Advanced PDF Editor 3.1.0.0’ from https://foxit-advanced-pdf-editor.en.softonic.com/. Only use this specific version (version 3.1.0.0) and if you can’t find it from this website, do an online search-engine search and download it from another site. If you download from another site, check that the checksum of the file is correct (see our ‘Checksums’ page in our Security section for details). Copy and paste the downloaded file onto Usb No. 2.
 
        Step 1.7: Download Electrum software (portable version for Windows operating system) from https://electrum.org/#home. Only download version ‘electrum-2.7.12-portable.exe’. Their directory for old versions of the software is https://download.electrum.org/ . Only download from the official website shown here but if the file is definitely not available, then you can download from another site, but you MUST do a checksum check. This version of electrum portable is the only version that this guide supports for offline use and is perfectly suited to our needs since any bitcoin seeds and keys generated from it are forward compatible with newer versions of electrum. Copy and paste this program onto Usb No. 2. 
 
 
Step 2: Create a Zorin OS Core (Linux based) boot usb drive on both Usb No. 1 and Usb X

Important: If you have used BOOTICEx86 or BOOTICEx64 to shrink any of your usb drives to a smaller size, then you need to skip this Step 2 and go to the ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE section * 1 and follow the instructions under ‘Alternative software is ‘Universal-USB-Installer’.
 
        Step 2.1: Disconnect from the internet. Then connect your Usb No. 1 into your laptop usb port.
 
        Step 2.2: Open the ‘Rufus’ software from Step 1.4. If the Windows User Account Control screen appears asking for permission, click ‘Yes’.
 
        Step 2.3: Check that the drive in the ‘Device’ drop down menu at the top is ‘Usb No. 1’.
 
        Step 2.4: Next to where it says ‘Create a bootable disk using Free dos’ point your mouse on the image of the disk/hard drive. Below your mouse pointer should now appear the words ‘Click to select an image…’. Click your mouse. 
 
        Step 2.5: Find the ‘Zorin OS Core’ Linux based operating system ISO file you downloaded in Step 1.5 then press ‘Open’.
 
        Step 2.6: Press ‘Start’. Then press OK. And then press OK again.
 
        Step 2.7: Wait until the process is complete and then close all the windows and remove Usb No. 2 from the usb port.
 
        Step 2.8: Repeat Method 3: Steps 2.1 – 2.7 for Usb X and create another Zorin OS Core (Linux based) boot usb drive.
 
 
Step 3: Boot up your computer in the Zorin OS Core (Linux based) operating system using Usb No. 1
 
        Step 3.1: Shut down your computer 
 
        Step 3.2: Make sure Usb No. 1 is in one of your usb ports (ideally the fastest port -UBS3 if available), then turn on the computer.
 
        Step 3.3: Many newer computers may automatically start loading the Zorin OS
Core operating system from the usb drive however if this doesn’t happen, restart your computer again and immediately press ‘F12’ repeatedly as it is booting up. This should allow you to either change the boot device order to have the removable usb drive load first, or to select a preferred boot device. In either case, select Usb No. 1 as the boot device. If pressing ‘F12’ doesn’t work then restart your computer again and this time repeatedly press ‘Escape’. These above steps should be enough to load the Zorin OS Core operating system.
 
        Step 3.4: Be patient and wait until the Zorin OS Core operating system loads. A screen should then appear asking if you would like to either ‘Try’ Zorin OS or ‘Install’ Zorin OS. Select ‘Try’.
 
From this step onwards, an internet connection is not needed and you need to remain disconnected from the internet for the entire time you are using the Zorin OS operating system. Physically disable the wifi device. Zorin OS: click icon on bottom right hand side of screen > click ‘Wi-Fi Not Connected’ > click ‘Turn Off’. Also, disable the bluetooth device. Zorin OS Core: click ‘(Z) menu bar icon’ on bottom left of screen > press ‘Settings’ > Double click ‘Bluetooth’ > Click the ‘On/ Off’ button on the top right to disable the Bluetooth. Next, dsiable the autorun feature for inserted devices. Zorin OS: click '(Z) menu bar icon' on bottom left of screen > press 'Settings' > Click 'Details' > Click 'Removable Media' > Click the checkbox 'Never prompt or start programs on media insertion'. Lastly, disable the sound speakers and microphone. Zorin OS Core: click the backwards arrow to get back to ‘All Settings’ > Double click ‘Sound’ > Leaving the ‘Output’ Tab open click the ‘On/ Off’ button on the top right to disable the Speakers > Select the ‘Input’ Tab then click the ‘On/ Off’ button at the middle right beside ‘Input volume:’ to disable the Microphone > Select the ‘Sound Effects’ Tab then click the ‘On/ Off’ button at the middle right beside ‘Alert volume:” to disable the Alerts. If you like, now is the best time to change mouse pointer movement speed. Zorin OS Core: click the backwards arrow to get back to ‘All Settings’ > Double click ‘Mouse & Touchpad’ > Change ‘Mouse pointer speed’ setting.
 
From this point onwards, unless directed to by these instructions, it is possible and recommended that you do not click on any of the icon options in the menu bar on the very bottom left or right side of the screen (menu icon, chrome web browser, geary etc.). These icons are not needed to create or store your Bitcoin addresses and not using them will prevent you from accidentally saving any of your files onto your other hard disks, which could compromise your Bitcoin security.

The above process needs to be followed every single time you load the Zorin OS operating system.


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Step 3A below shows you how to transfer (or burn) files onto a DVD from within the Linux Zorin OS 12 Core operating system.
Step 3B shows you how to create a Live DVD of the Zorin OS operating system (from within the Zorin operating system).
And Step 3C shows you how to boot up your computer into the Zorin OS Core operating sytem using the Live DVD of the Zorin OS operating system.

In our opinion, it is significantly better to load the operating system using a DVD disk rather than a usb drive, and to store encrypted files onto a DVD disk rather than onto a usb drive. Doing so makes your data less susceptible to damage, alteration, deletion or corruption and makes it harder for malware programs or people with ill intent to cause problems to these files, particularly without you knowing. A DVD disk should be strongly preferred over a usb drive at all times. You should label, date and sign the DVD disk after transferring the data onto it. When and if you decide to dispose of these DVD disks, you should do so by using a DVD shredder or DVD scraper machine.

Step 3A: Transfer (or burn) all program files downloaded in Method 3: Step 1 onto a DVD 

        Step 3A.1: Click the ‘(Z) menu bar icon’ on bottom left of screen.

        Step 3A.2: In the ‘Search’ bar that appears, type “burn” or “brasero”, then click the ‘Brasero’ icon. This will load the CD/ DVD burner program.

        Step 3A.3: Click ‘Data project’.

        Step 3A.4: Drag all the files you want to burn onto the screen of the Brasero program. If a popup screen appears with the message “Should files be renamed to be fully Windows-compatible?”, click ‘Disable Full Windows Compatibility’.

        Step 3A.5: Insert a blank DVD into your DVD drive. The blank disk should now appear on the bottom of the program screen. On our screen for example it says: “Blank disc (DVD-R): 4.7 GB free space”.

        Step 3A.6: Click ‘Burn...’. Then in the ‘Properties of...’ screen that appears choose the following settings for the burn:

        Burning speed

        Choose slowest speed available

        Options

        Tick              Burn the image directly without saving it to disc
        Untick          Leave the disc open to add files later
        Tick              Use burnproof (decrease the risk of failures)
        Untick          Simulate before burning
 
        Temporary files

        Leave as is

        Step 3A.6: Click ‘Burn’. Then after the burn is complete, remove the DVD disk from the DVD drive and close the ‘Brasero’ program.

Congratulations, you have transferred (or burnt) your files onto a DVD disk.


Step 3B: Create a Live DVD of the Zorin OS operating system (from within the Zorin operating system)

        Step 3B.1: Click the ‘(Z) menu bar icon’ on bottom left of screen.

        Step 3B.2: In the ‘Search’ bar that appears, type “burn” or “brasero”, then click the ‘Brasero’ icon. This will load the CD/ DVD burner program.

        Step 3B.3: Click ‘Burn image’.

        Step 3B.4: In the ‘Image Burning Setup’ screen that appears, click the box where it says ‘Click here to select a disc image’. Then search for and select the ‘Zorin OS 12 Core .iso’ file you downloaded and stored on your Usb drive before (either ‘Zorin-OS-12-Core-32-20161121.iso’ or ‘Zorin-OS-12-Core-64-20161120.iso’).

        Step 3B.5: Insert a blank DVD into your DVD drive. The blank disk should now appear on the bottom of the program screen. On our screen for example it says: “Blank disc (DVD-R): 4.7 GB free space”.

        Step 3B.6: Click ‘Properties’. Then choose the following settings for the burn:

        Burning speed

        Choose slowest speed available

        Options

        Tick              Burn the image directly without saving it to disc
        Untick          Leave the disc open to add files later
        Tick              Use burnproof (decrease the risk of failures)
        Untick          Simulate before burning
 
        Temporary files

        Leave as is

        Step 3B.7: Click ‘Close’. Then click ‘Burn’. After the burn is complete, remove the DVD disk from the DVD drive and close the ‘Brasero’ program.

Congratulations, you have created a Live DVD of the Zorin OS 12 Core operating system.


Step 3C: Boot up your computer in the Zorin OS Core (Linux based) operating system using the Zorin OS Core Live DVD

        Step 3C.1: Insert the Zorin OS 12 Core Live DVD disk into the DVD drive. Then shut down your computer by pressing and holding onto the power button on your computer until it switches off. This has a similar effect to simply shutting down the power supply to your computer. Do not shut down the Linux operating system computer via the menu bar.

        Step 3C.2: Turn on your computer.
 
        Step 3C.3: Many newer computers may automatically start loading the Zorin OS
Core operating system from the DVD drive however if this doesn’t happen, restart your computer again and immediately press ‘F12’ repeatedly as it is booting up. This should allow you to either change the boot device order to have the DVD drive load first, or to select a preferred boot device. In either case, select the DVD drive as the boot device. If pressing ‘F12’ doesn’t work then restart your computer again and this time repeatedly press ‘Escape’. These above steps should be enough to load the Zorin OS Core operating system.
 
        Step 3C.4: Be patient and wait until the Zorin OS Core operating system loads. A screen should then appear asking if you would like to either ‘Try’ Zorin OS or ‘Install’ Zorin OS. Select ‘Try’.
 
From this step onwards, an internet connection is not needed and you need to remain disconnected from the internet for the entire time you are using the Zorin OS operating system. Physically disable the wifi device. Zorin OS: click icon on bottom right hand side of screen > click ‘Wi-Fi Not Connected’ > click ‘Turn Off’. Also, disable the bluetooth device. Zorin OS Core: click ‘(Z) menu bar icon’ on bottom left of screen > press ‘Settings’ > Double click ‘Bluetooth’ > Click the ‘On/ Off’ button on the top right to disable the Bluetooth. Lastly, disable the sound speakers and microphone. Zorin OS Core: click the backwards arrow to get back to ‘All Settings’ > Double click ‘Sound’ > Leaving the ‘Output’ Tab open click the ‘On/ Off’ button on the top right to disable the Speakers > Select the ‘Input’ Tab then click the ‘On/ Off’ button at the middle right beside ‘Input volume:’ to disable the Microphone > Select the ‘Sound Effects’ Tab then click the ‘On/ Off’ button at the middle right beside ‘Alert volume:” to disable the Alerts. If you like, now is the best time to change mouse pointer movement speed. Zorin OS Core: click the backwards arrow to get back to ‘All Settings’ > Double click ‘Mouse & Touchpad’ > Change ‘Mouse pointer speed’ setting.
 
From this point onwards, unless directed to by these instructions, it is possible and recommended that you do not click on any of the icon options in the menu bar on the very bottom left or right side of the screen (menu icon, chrome web browser, geary etc.). These icons are not needed to create or store your Bitcoin addresses and not using them will prevent you from accidentally saving any of your files onto your other hard disks, which could compromise your Bitcoin security.

The above process needs to be followed every single time you load the Zorin OS operating system.

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Step 4: Load the electrum software in the Zorin OS Core (Linux based) operating system
 
        Step 4.1: Connect Usb No. 2 to the other usb port on your computer. The usb drive will now appear on your desktop. Double click it to open and see the Usb No. 2 files. 
 
        Step 4.2: Double click the ‘Electrum portable’ program inside Usb No. 2. Do not remove this program from the Usb No. 2. 
 
        Step 4.3: On the first screen that appears asking ‘How do you want to connect to a server?’, leave it at the default setting ‘Auto connect’ and then press ‘Next’.
 
 
Step 5: Create your Bitcoin wallet files, seeds and addresses
 
These instructions are specific to Electrum-2.7.12-portable but newer versions are likely the same with maybe some slight differences
 
         Step 5:1: With the Electrum – Install Wizard screen showing, select ‘Standard Wallet’, then press ‘Next’. 
 
         Step 5.2: Select ‘Create a new seed’ then press ‘Next’.
 
         Step 5.3: The next screen should show 12 randomly generated words. Create a new ‘Text File’ on your ‘desktop’ (Zorin OS Core: right click anywhere on ‘Desktop’ > select ‘New Document’ > select ‘Text File’) and then record these words in it. Now mix up the order of these words and remove some words. These first words will now be your ‘seed extension words’. Save the text file.
 
         Step 5.4: Press ‘Back’, then ‘Next’ again on the Electrum screen. This should create a whole new series of 12 words. Record these 12 words in the same ‘Text File’ in step 5.3. These second 12 words will be your ‘seed words’. Save the text file.
 
         Step 5.5: Press ‘Options’, tick the ‘Extend this seed with custom words’, then press ‘OK’. Then press ‘Next’.
 
         Step 5.6: Copy and paste your ‘seed extension words’ from step 5.3 onto the Electrum screen. Then press ‘Next’.
 
         Step 5.7: On the next screen copy and paste your ‘seed words’ onto the screen then press ‘Next’.
 
         Step 5.8: Now copy and paste your ‘seed extension words’ onto the screen and press ‘Next’.
 
         Step 5.9: Enter a 10- 14 character password then press ‘Next’.
 
Congratulations, your seed, wallet file and addresses have been created.

[Note: if you have followed these steps up to here to “create a usb drive with a password protected file containing real bitcoins to give as a gift to someone” then on this particular usb drive you need to replace ‘Electrum-2.7.12-portable’ with the newest version of ‘Electrum portable’ before giving it to the gift recipient. Do not change or replace the encrypted wallet file or electrum_data folder]
 
         Step 5.10: Now select ‘File’; then select ‘Open’; then right click on the file named ‘default_wallet’; select ‘Rename’; then rename the file into something you can easily keep track of such as ‘3 Jan 2017 Linux- Wallet A’. After renaming press ‘Cancel’ to go back to the main screen.
 
 
Step 6: Create your pdf document with your seed words, seed extension words, your public addresses and private addresses
 
Important note: Make regular backups of your LibreOffice and PDF documents onto Usb No. 2 as you are creating them incase your computer freezes or accidently shuts down.
 
         Step 6.1: Right click your mouse on any empty space on your desktop; then select ‘New Document’, and then select ‘LibreOffice Document’. This will create a new LibreOffice document on your desktop.
 
         Step 6.2: Rename the document to something you will remember by right clicking the file, selecting ‘Rename’, typing in the name, and then pressing ‘Rename’. In our case we will call it “BTC Public and Private Keys”. Now double click it to open it.
 
         Step 6.3: Open the ‘Text File’ you saved onto your desktop in step 5.4 and add an appropriate heading to the LibreOffice page (such as ‘BTC Public and Private Keys Created 3 Jan 2017’) and an appropriate subheading for your wallet seeds and addresses (such as ‘3 Jan 2017 Linux Wallet A'). Then copy and paste the seed and seed extension words onto the LibreOffice document and label them appropriately as ‘Seed words =’ and ‘Seed extension words =’ respectively so you know which is which. 
 
        Step 6.4: Now open the Electrum wallet file which you created/renamed in step 5.10 by clicking ‘File’, then clicking ‘Open’, then selecting the correct file, and clicking ‘Open’. After this click ‘Wallet’, move your mouse down to ‘Master Public Keys’, and click on it. Copy and paste the ‘Master Public Keys’ text that appears, into your LibreOffice document (BTC Public and Private Keys) and label it appropriately as ‘Master public key =’. Now shrink the size of the font so that the entire 'Master Public Key' fits on 1 single line in your document. Then press ‘Close’ to close that screen.
 
        Step 6.5: OPTIONAL STEP: Now create a subheading on your LibreOffice page titled ‘Public and Private Addresses’. Then click ‘Wallet’ in the electrum program, move your mouse down to ‘Private keys’, then press ‘Export’. Enter your 10-14 character password you chose in step 5.9 then press ‘OK’. 
 
Your wallets public and private keys (or addresses) will now be revealed.
 
        Step 6.6: OPTIONAL STEP: Copy and paste all these public and private keys onto your LibreOffice document (BTC Public and Private Keys). There should be 52 lines of text for ‘Electrum-2.7.12-portable’. Then press ‘Cancel’ to exit the screen, and then close your Electrum program by hitting the (x) in the top right of the screen.

When this is all done your document should look something like this...

                                                                                                                         >>> Start of Doc <<<

BTC Public and Private Keys Created 3 Jan 2017

 

3 Jan 2017 Linux Wallet A

Seed words = soon torch stamp maid tilt custom asthma drive road author museum upper

 
Seed extension words = album kit little change basket figure plunge way
 
Master public key =                         

xpub661MyMwAqRbcGuGJSp7WuMNB84iX7Xn6K2H3kpzqhBtBMtF2kxQUYTYiyxKJNmLLbp8gdpJfik8NxLXHkqtWCBLqLVoqhcTdRL5eNUB8yHd                            

Public and Private Addresses

1Mk3xezB7LCc1zabBoSStqWqDxjMjaqspe 

L3YD93tLDpTHpbvpQNfYRBQ8vP4RcjW8oYf2fsf4NsWxKbBKEujp

13C3cQfz22WMaYyoYrF5ewX3g6K4QSX8Ah 

L358Z2esJHVWD2g6H5YjdVKYkzXNd4EQbVJoEoGgseC9rpVWuVRF

148gL11afuQ8TAgoFvgBgZ2dPYUTu4qwoW 

L1zeaScxWGtUafpDXvpxS8nkNeaPFk2MAS3uPqPim7RQCviBqDAa

1N8XRwqK7ZhQ87KmquqmocPdP6Gttvpi71 

L2X9YesaXtpc1RxKz3zJJ4mtoKWpWeSXHR6nELBGp58krE421MYa

1CiVs2yRnRjyL4Y3D7FHbLfantvcV5ZxcJ 

KwfpJ36Wmvnxs5GZ4yzazaW5gkTLRPQ6zri9tuvu7oHUNSPs3dSZ

14J92QUx5BSQpCrFsUxYWQsVjp64gC1P7r

KybXpAcETPYaqDbvwmzU73s8E6bTZtYcvTBSXewEaCMfgFNnSLMB

1MbRAhYF2pFcmRqaxGeByyBhhYQzHtPNnN

KziydGsBTauvTzj5RiVb84S2vHz9TWjeT3QwL4wrs6g87BBBGRt6

19dnaEbtqRakQMfc7McYBKrFWBkDTYdJ8u

L1BZ2MRhQfp1WRADRjEYmmdTFK57ivcdYhZqaYyinR3DM8x9tbup

12Qp5RCgv4xgcuqQGr7ybg5eBGudPkrxHX

KzMiveLafBdzS6spPxUrUVqgUJrGEQkYVzRs1gBBiyik3QzAcdsU

1LW6mX9tcaxAhwAdvogKizYfwgbPDq2R65

L3wyqJNpVwkdnyXuwRFuayWF4C9Des8XsPmESEQxT9i1MdhvV1nR

1NFfj2umr4SGgC4UGNN7FGcqMjD48XUmBs

L1VaVJ6SRYTN1rWdYLixDgbvLuWYxvvy2kJRed7poNvmaoZ1V8Q8

19bMrp3VWKgbrDQdS5UL5Bc6iN7bBAnAFo

L3zQ8jjaFZqRTaizmVhNC5qexbCMrxh2xGqbsJCXHFzC5EkmvopD

1AKLMKuZapQsU9FJBm73xgmYbpQ6K3uTXi

KzAUdYR6Dkb2SY5x1xiFQnRLoSXn25Qrfaioj9dExZps4Ven5FUL

159dSoQpHmBNUhVAAjrr1BaKb9jmEYtvNm

Kwec5gjCe3QDG5CzPqnYpAJtJdFH8QEU13kyAHxEyLFRfTLefAvX

13TBmoaamR2njEmJSmtmfG9Xr824PEjhPb

L4Nqet9Yjxts8NowzCRcdXwWgdv7fwQga9WdNE2P64voRo84ML9s

1CvBh2sSQmgzdibCfKweaCTtPXQN2YZE3

KxhuGbFP8Poiz3DFx4WYY8anCSPVaYv4Hp9jQPGDvFEFJoKxJxhu

1NwVh83F7oRoEMQba25PMd9FdsGBtvKNaM

KyFEqcq47KtG9TyqvBntmV41N5bCfisQWfwk27EvHNFd5x3p95Bk

1PM4JJaczNYwtjbnsTNbnDFiqd7q8A3Rso

KzR2spyzn98ShG3vbRh2coymjnnZwzDuoytPNy27F6Tf2PPGLNWo

13ZLqsozctwZGoARtoTCVipm3mbYtMXS7W

L2R9LDSY7xZjAssMvEaNxzgnYTuPkp4T1CDTAMvrAKDrVbYfxSos

1GAYndrA9Naj8ZzvY2PnCJyN6c47PWskaj

KyY4wA7Rwkrp3W1LyS4uiTxXgJa8UwaBgwWmANN2NFe2rwW5eAh2

1CwG9BzCsxMnMoptWwHGBxCuououYFywdD

L3WeYbcDchxs33C6RGGdxHJbDdgUAKboE8i8jFJrAXsmHeEQ23Z1

1DjA4VLDLsU35dPWHkjFMygazR8atMuBLB

KyWdUNSTL4xce5iLUyeWKwcG4r2tk8FQ92j6zEJifWzkZakHGSKY

1y3VsRjgwmd6MjsVbtepFTN7Cwgq8VKfB

KzxaYAShHoq4JVx48besLTd2BCqSVRd5V6DttaBXtSYjnH3EbxP3

115Nce7Ray4BPbhkNgNRaLrVibPCWfx28r

L4X41sNWU7LPKwT3BmSMVumHnxhzDpPb2i7kzY6au7D1MRpczNUX

13FM1YbQNDPecHHAqGbKoxcYaRoN3gLF67

Kx5JGrgCuXHF5b51epWxDpHHr8d3pRdNoUDcUw7T6EMMxqR6n4F6

14YtK4SwM83D3UT2QhqSLcgodSnS3D8oZF

L4fhuebhdj23TkDiGKeGkpETrFrcbXjNecwPo7dVGkYuZfZVsq6v                                      

                                                                                                                                   >>> End of Doc <<<


If you like you can also now add to the LibreOffice document an extra section with only the Bitcoin public addresses. See Method 6 (Variation 1): steps 4.1 – 4.7 for details of how to do this. Your LibreOffice document is now ready to be turned into a password protected pdf file.


        Step 6.7: Save your LibreOffice document (preferably in Microsoft Word 97-2003 (.doc) format, but this doesn’t matter). 

 

If you would like to create more than one set of public and private keys; in the Electrum program click ‘File’, then ‘New/Restore’, then enter new wallet name, then press ‘OK’ and then repeat steps 5.1 – 5.9 and steps 6.3 - 6.7, starting on a new page and adding to the LibreOffice document each time. This process will create additional electrum wallets and new sets of bitcoin addresses from seed words. When you are finally satisfied with the number of seeds and addresses you have…

 

         Step 6.8: Select ‘File’ in the main menu on the top of LibreOffice Writer, then select ‘Export as PDF...’ and then press ‘Export’, then press ‘Save’. A new pdf file should now appear on your desktop. Your new pdf document is now ready to be password protected. Close LibreOffice.

 

Important note: When you are exporting the LibreOffice document into the pdf file using LibreOffice, you may have noticed the option to also password protect the pdf. DO NOT do this. LibreOffice pdf encryption uses weak 128-bit RC4 encryption which is not secure and MUST NOT be used. Only password protect your pdf file using the program you downloaded in step 1.6 (Foxit) and using 128-bit AES encryption.

 

 

Step 7: Install Foxit Advanced PDF Editor 3.1.0.0 into the Zorin OS Core usb operating system

 

         Step 7.1: Open Usb No. 2 if the folder is no longer open. Look for the ‘Foxit Advanced PDF Editor 3.1.0.0’ program you downloaded in Step 1.6. Copy and paste this program onto your desktop (do not load the program from the usb- only do so from the desktop).

 

         Step 7.2: Right click the ‘Foxit Advanced PDF Editor 3.1.0.0’ program, then press ‘Open With Wine Windows Program Loader’.

 

         Step 7.3: When the ‘Setup – Foxit Advanced PDF Editor’ screen appears, click ‘Next >’.

 

         Step 7.4: On the next screen select ‘I accept the agreement’, then click ‘Next >’.

 

         Step 7.5: Leaving the default folders, click ‘Next >’. 

 

         Step 7.6: Leaving all the default settings, click ‘Next >’. Press ‘Install’ on the following screen. Once the installation is complete, press ‘Finish’ to load the program.

 

         Step 7.7: On the first ‘Watermarks’ screen that appears, click ‘OK’ to close the screen and to begin using the program. NOTE: although the program says it will add a watermark, for some reason, it doesn’t do this when operated in the Linux operating system.

 

The Foxit Advanced PDF Editor 3.1.0.0 program is now installed and ready to use. If you close the program and want to re-open it, the program can be opened by double clicking the ‘Foxit Advanced PDF Editor’ shortcut on the desktop. 

 

 

Step 8: Password protect your pdf document using Foxit Advanced PDF Editor 3.1.0.0

 

Important: See our ‘Choosing passwords’ article in our Security section for a guide on password selection before continuing

 

         Step 8.1: With the ‘Foxit Advanced PDF Editor 3.1.0.0’ program open, go to ‘File’, then ‘Open’. Locate your pdf document with all your electrum seeds and bitcoin private and public addresses which you created in Step 6 and then open it. The file should be found on your desktop.

 

         Step 8.2: On the top menu bar click ‘Document’, then click ‘Security’.

 

         Step 8.3: In the ‘Document Security’ screen that appears select ‘Acrobat 7 onwards (128-bit AES)’ in the ‘Security Level:’ drop down box. Now tick the box under the ‘Passwords:’ section that says ‘Required to Open Document’, and then enter your chosen password in the ‘User:’ box. Do not tick the ‘Required to Change Security’ checkbox or type anything into the ‘Master’ password option.

 

         Step 8.4: Once you have entered your password, click ‘OK’, and then re-enter your password in the following screen and click ‘OK’.

 

         Step 8.5: Click ‘File’ in the menu bar on top and then click ‘Save’. In the ‘User Name’ screen that appears simply hit the [Spacebar] key on your keyboard as your name, and then click OK.

 

         Step 8.6: On the ‘Save Changes’ screen that appears click ‘Add Watermark’ and then close Foxit Advanced PDF Editor. NOTE: although the program says it will add a watermark, for some reason, it doesn’t do this when operated in the Linux operating system.

 

 

Congratulations, you have now secured your pdf document with a password. The new pdf document should appear on your desktop and is ready to use. Test it out by double clicking on it and entering your password. Carefully check its contents. Once you are done, copy and paste it onto Usb No. 2 and then delete all copies of the old unsecured non-password protected pdf file from the Zorin OS desktop and from Usb No. 2 (by moving them into the trash folder and then emptying the trash folder). Zorin OS: Right click on file > click ‘Move To Trash’ > Click ‘Z’ menu bar icon on bottom left hand side of desktop > select ‘Documents’ > right click ‘Trash’ > click ‘Empty Trash’ > click ‘Empty Trash’ again.


After doing all this, remove Usb No. 2 from the usb port.


Although we have deleted the unsecured pdf file, do not yet delete any of the unsecured work in progress ‘LibreOffice’ documents still on the Zorin OS desktop or on Usb no. 2, as we may need these later in Method 5.


Do note also that you should not yet turn off the Linux usb operating system (Zorin OS or Linux Mint). Whenever these instructions however do require you to switch off the Zorin OS or Linux Mint operating system, note that you should simply press and hold onto the power button on your computer until it switches off. This has a similar effect to simply shutting down the power supply to your computer. Do not shut down the Linux usb operating system computer via the menu bar.

 

 

Step 9: Transfer password protected pdf files onto the final storage medium and format Usb No. 1, Usb No. 2 and Usb X


                                                                                                                                Important:


If you are planning to immediately (right now) store your password protected pdf file using Method 4, 5 or 6 then skip the rest of Method 3 (steps 9.1 – 9.14) and go straight to Method 4 or 5. Note that you need to go to Method 4 or 5 first before you can do Method 6. 


Method 4, 5 and 6 if done needs to be completed all in the same sitting or occasion. You cannot use previously made and stored Method 3 files created during a previous sitting or occasion. Only current password protected pdf files created from the beginning of Method 3: Step 1 can be used when proceeding to Step 4, 5 or 6. You need to always do Method 4 immediately after Method 3. You need to always do Method 5 immediately after Method 4. You need to always do Method 6 immediately after Method 4 or 5. Doing it all on the one single occasion ensures fewer mistakes and less chances of security breaches or problems.


If you don’t plan to immediately (right now) store your password protected pdf file using Method 4, 5 or 6 then continue onto Step 9.1.



         Step 9.1: While still within the Linux operating system, transfer the password protected pdf file (and optionally the electrum wallet file/s if desired) onto yet another usb drive that has been pre-formatted (the extra-Usb). You can use the Linux usb operating system to completely re-format the usb drive again if you like (see method 3: Step 9.3 for an example of how to do this). This usb drive will serve as the final resting place of the password protected pdf file. Be very careful to ONLY transfer the password protected pdf file and/or electrum wallet file/s, and be careful not to transfer them onto any of your main computer hard drive/s where your regular computer operating system is (Windows 7 in our case). Storing it on your main computer hard drive/s will make it more accessible to online hackers. If you accidently make a mistake and transfer any unsecured LibreOffice or other files then you need to restart this method from the beginning of step 1.

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
                                        OR STORE ON A DVD DISK (ALTERNATE STORAGE MEDIUM)

        Step 9.1.5: While still within the Linux operating system, transfer the password protected pdf file (and optionally the electrum wallet file/s if desired) onto a blank DVD disk by burning them onto the disk (see Method 3: Steps 3A.1 – 3A.6 for instructions). This DVD disk will serve as the final resting place of the password protected pdf file. Be very careful to ONLY transfer the password protected pdf file and/or electrum wallet file/s, and be careful not to transfer them onto any of your main computer hard drive/s where your regular computer operating system is (Windows 7 in our case). Storing it on your main computer hard drive/s will make it more accessible to online hackers. If you accidently make a mistake and transfer any unsecured LibreOffice or other files then you need to restart this method from the beginning of step 1.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

                                                                                                                               

         Step 9.2: OPTIONAL STEP: Carefully transfer the wallet file/s you created in Method 3: Step 5 onto your main operating system’s (Windows 7 in our case) electrum wallet folders. It is possible to do this from within the Linux usb operating system by first mounting the drive containing the electrum wallet folders (usually drive C).

 

         Zorin OS: Click ‘Z’ menu bar icon on bottom left hand side of desktop > select ‘Documents’ > scroll down to ‘+ Other Locations’ and click it > click on the drive containing the electrum wallet folders to mount the drive (usually drive C although the name of the drive will not be visible, only its size) > open the correct folder (usually C: \Users\ Name_of_your_computer\ AppData\ Roaming\ Electrum\ wallets) > copy and paste the wallet files currently stored on Usb No. 2 into this folder. 


        Your main operating system’s (Windows 7 in our case) electrum wallet folders were created when and if you completed Method 2 (when we installed the electrum desktop program ‘electrum-2.7.18-setup.exe’ into the main operating system (Windows 7 in our case)). If you prefer instead to transfer the wallet files created in Method 3: Step 5 while using your regular computer operating system (in our case Windows 7), then see the instructions immediately before Method 2: Step 4 for details of how to do this. Bear in mind however that transferring the file using the main operating system (in our case Windows 7) has slightly more risk since the wallet files may be more exposed to malware on your regular operating system when the usb containing the files are initially inserted.


        Step 9.3: Completely format Usb No. 2 within Zorin OS by doing the following: 


        Insert Usb No. 2 into a free usb port. In the Zorin OS operating system desktop, take notice of the name of the new drive that appears. In our example case it is ‘2.1 GB Volume’. Click the ‘Z’ menu bar icon on bottom left hand side of desktop. Then click ‘Documents’. Now scroll down to the part that shows the usb drive you just inserted. The name should match the name of the drive on your desktop. In our example case it is ‘2.1 GB Volume’. The drive should have the mark that looks like an upwards facing arrow immediately on the right hand side of it which shows that the drive has been mounted. 


        You will first be doing a quick format and then later a full format of all the data on this usb drive. For the quick format, right click this drive ‘2.1 GB Volume’, then click ‘Format’. In the screen that appears leave everything at the default setting:


        Erase: Don’t overwrite existing data (Quick)

        Type: Compatible with all systems and devices (FAT)


        Then click ‘Format...’. On the next ‘Are you sure you want to format the volume?’ screen that appears, click ‘Format’. 


        Now for the full format, right click this drive ‘2.1 GB Volume’ again, and then click ‘Format’. In the screen that appears change the first part beside ‘Erase’ so you have the following settings:


        Erase: Overwrite existing data with zeroes (Slow)

        Type: Compatible with all systems and devices (FAT)


        Then click ‘Format...’. On the next ‘Are you sure you want to format the volume?’ screen that appears, click ‘Format’. 


        Now wait up to 10 minutes for your computer to completely format the usb drive. While it is doing this, no indication that this is happening will show on your screen but rest assured your computer is formatting the drive. Once the drive has been completely formatted, the usb will reappear on your screen (not the desktop). On our screen it shows ‘2.1 GB Volume’ again. This is how you will know the format has been completed.


        Step 9.4: This is a redundant step from an older version of this guide. Please disregard.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
        If you are currently running the Zorin OS operating system from the Live DVD then you can skip the next step, Method 3: Step 9.5
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

                                                                                                                             

        Step 9.5: Switch off your computer. Insert Usb X which is the second newly created Linux usb operating system that was prepared in Method 3: Step 2.8, and boot up your computer in the Zorin OS Core or Linux Mint (Linux based) usb operating system using Usb X.


        Step 9.6: Completely format Usb No. 1 within Zorin OS by doing the following: 


        Insert Usb No. 1 into a free usb port. In the Zorin OS operating system desktop, take notice of the name of the new drive that appears. In our example case it is ‘2.1 GB Volume’. Click the ‘Z’ menu bar icon on bottom left hand side of desktop. Then click ‘Documents’. Now scroll down to the part that shows the usb drive you just inserted. The name should match the name of the drive on your desktop. In our example case it is ‘2.1 GB Volume’. The drive should have the mark that looks like an upwards facing arrow immediately on the right hand side of it which shows that the drive has been mounted. 


        You will first be doing a quick format and then later a full format of all the data on this usb drive. For the quick format, right click this drive ‘2.1 GB Volume’, then click ‘Format’. In the screen that appears leave everything at the default setting:


        Erase: Don’t overwrite existing data (Quick)

        Type: Compatible with all systems and devices (FAT)


        Then click ‘Format...’. On the next ‘Are you sure you want to format the volume?’ screen that appears, click ‘Format’. 


        Now for the full format, right click this drive ‘2.1 GB Volume’ again, and then click ‘Format’. In the screen that appears change the first part beside ‘Erase’ so you have the following settings:


        Erase: Overwrite existing data with zeroes (Slow)

        Type: Compatible with all systems and devices (FAT)


        Then click ‘Format...’. On the next ‘Are you sure you want to format the volume?’ screen that appears, click ‘Format’. 


        Now wait up to 10 minutes for your computer to completely format the usb drive. While it is doing this, no indication that this is happening will show on your screen but rest assured your computer is formatting the drive. Once the drive has been completely formatted, the usb will reappear on your screen (not the desktop). On our screen it shows ‘2.1 GB Volume’ again. This is how you will know the format has been completed.


        Step 9.7: Boot up your computer in your regular operating system (in our case Windows 7). 


        Step 9.8: This is a redundant step from an older version of this guide. Please disregard.


        Step 9.9: This is a redundant step from an older version of this guide. Please disregard.


        Step 9.10: Do a quick format of Usb No. 1 (a quick format should be done and NOT a complete format). Windows 7: Insert Usb No. 1 into free usb port > right click usb drive > click ‘Format…’ > click ‘Start’ > click ‘OK’.


        Step 9.11: Do a complete ‘Eraser’ format of Usb No. 1. This process can take a while so be patient. Windows 7: Right click usb drive > select ‘Eraser’ > click ‘Erase Unused Space’.


        Step 9.12: Do a quick format of Usb X (a quick format should be done and NOT a complete format). Windows 7: Insert Usb X into free usb port > right click usb drive > click ‘Format…’ > click ‘Start’ > click ‘OK’.


        Step 9.13: Now do a complete format of Usb X (a complete format should be done now and not a quick format). Windows 7: Right click usb drive > click ‘Format…’ > Uncheck ‘Quick Format’ > click ‘Start’ > click ‘OK’.


        Step 9.14: Finally do a complete ‘Eraser’ format of Usb X. This process can take a while so be patient. Windows 7: Right click usb drive > select ‘Eraser’ > click ‘Erase Unused Space’. 

 

ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE


* 1  Alternative software is ‘Universal-USB-Installer’. Download it from https://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/. The most recent version should work but if you can find it, strongly prefer version ‘Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.6.9’. If you can't find this version from the official website then you can do an online search and download it from a different website. If you download from another site, check that the checksum of the file is correct (see our ‘Checksums’ page in our Security section for details). 
 
Use these instructions in place of Method 3: Steps 2.1 – 2.8: Create a Zorin OS Core (Linux based) boot usb drive on both Usb No. 1 and Usb X.

Disconnect from the internet. Then connect your Usb No. 1 into your laptop usb port. 

Open the Universal-USB-Installer software from Step 1.4. If the Windows User Control screen appears asking for permission click ‘Yes’. 

Then select ‘I Agree’. In the ‘Step 1: Select a Linux…’ drop down menu, select Zorin OS. 

In the ‘Step 2: Select your zorin*.iso’ drop down menu, click ‘Browse’, search for the file you downloaded in Step 1.5, and then press ‘Open’. 

In the ‘Step 3: Select the drive letter…’ drop down menu, select the Usb No. 1 drive. Press ‘Create’. Press ‘Yes’ to confirm you will be formatting the usb and installing the Zorin OS Core operating system onto the usb drive. Wait until the process is complete and then close all the windows. 

Repeat all the above steps for Usb X.


* 2 Alternative software is ‘Linux Mint’. Download it from https://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.php The most recent version should work but if you can find it, strongly prefer the Linux Mint 18 cinnamon version and the correct bit edition (32 bit or 64 bit) for your computer (use 32 bit edition if in doubt). If you can't find this version from the official website then you can do an online search and download it from a different website. If you download from another site, check that the checksum of the file is correct (see our ‘Checksums’ page in our Security section for details).


*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

CRITICAL UPDATE: Linux Mint requires a temporary connection to the internet in order to install some software to make the Electrum program run. For this reason it CANNOT be regarded as secure for the purpose of creating offline electrum wallets for real world use. The Zorin OS usb operating system should always be used instead for this purpose. The Linux Mint operating system instructions are still included here however to enable computer enthusiasts to experiment with different Linux based operating systems, in order to see how they work.


*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************


Use these instructions in place of Method 3: Steps 3.1 – 3.4: Boot up your computer in the Zorin OS Core (Linux based) operating system using Usb No. 1.


After creating the Usb boot disk (method 3: steps 2.1 – 2.8 - using the Linux Mint iso. instead of the Zorin OS iso.), do the same as you would in steps 3.1 – 3.3 to start your computer in the Linux Mint operating system. When the load screen notifying you that the system will load in 10 seconds appears, hit ‘Enter’ twice to speed up the boot. 


When the main desktop screen appears, on the bottom right hand side of the screen select the icon that allows you to connect to the internet. (See the italicized and bold "Additional Information" notes at the end of Method 3 for a guide on how to securely connect to the internet). Then select your connection and connect to the internet. 


On the bottom left hand side of the screen press the Menu tab, move your mouse up to the ‘Software manager’ which is the second option from the top left, then press it. The ‘Software manager’ screen will appear. Type in “Wine” in the search panel then press ‘Enter’. A whole list of programs should appear. Select the top program on the list called “Wine”, then press ‘Install’. As it is installing, boxes may appear requesting permission to download and install additional programs to enable “Wine” to work. Click ‘Yes’ everytime. 


Once the whole process is complete go back to your internet icon on the bottom right hand side of your screen and disconnect from the internet by clicking the internet ‘icon’ on the bottom right hand side of the desktop screen, then clicking on the ‘slider’ next to your ‘Wireless’ or ‘Wired’ connection to turn it off.


Now click on the Bluetooth icon on the far bottom right hand side of the desktop screen and disable it by clicking on the Bluetooth ‘icon’ and then pressing the ‘On/ Off’ button to disable it. Lastly, click on the Volume icon on the bottom right hand side of the desktop screen, then click ‘Sound Settings’; then leaving the ‘Output’ Tab, click the Volume icon on the left to disable the sound, then select the ‘Input’ Tab by pressing on it, and then click the Volume icon on the left to disable the microphone; then finally select the ‘Sound Effects’ Tab by pressing on it, and then click the Volume icon on the top left to disable all sound effects and then close the window. 


Your Linux Mint operating system is now ready to use in the same way as you would use Zorin OS Core. When you install ‘Electrum’ in Linux Mint (method 3 steps 4.1 – 4.2) for the first time however it will ask for permission to install additional components from the internet which the Zorin OS Core operating system does not ask you to do. Simply click ‘Cancel’ every time as these are not needed for offline use. Also when creating all your files, be careful not to save any files onto any drives other than your usb operating system drive ‘Usb No. 1’ or removable storage drive ‘Usb No. 2’ while you are creating your files.




BOOTICEx86


Steps A - N: Download BOOTICEx86; format usb drive, and then partition usb drive down to approximately 2gb size

 

The following steps are specifically for a Windows 7 operating system but you should be able to get it to work on most Windows operating systems as well as some other operating systems. These instructions will show you how to shrink any usb drives of larger size down to 2gb size or less using the program ‘BOOTICEx86’ (you can also use ‘BOOTICEx64’ if your computer is compatible). This process involves partitioning (or separating) the usb drive into two parts, the first 2gb useable operating-system-recognised part and the remaining left over gb space being the inactive part. It is VERY IMPORTANT when doing this for users to carefully select the CORRECT usb drive to partition, because if they accidently select another usb or hard drive, this may lead to TOTAL irrecoverable loss of the contents of that usb or hard drive.

 


         Step A: Download ‘BOOTICEx86_v1.332.rar’ from https://github.com/cmtsij/grub_on_usb_mirror/find/master . If you can’t find it from this website, do an online search-engine search and download it from another site. If you download from another site, check that the checksum of the file is correct (see our ‘Checksums’ page in our Security section for details). Save it onto your main computer. 

 

         Step B: Remove all non essential devices from all usb ports on your computer. Non essential devices may include any external hard drives, usb flash drives, or printers connected via usb. Examples of essential devices may be your computer mouse and keyboard. 

 

         Step C: Insert the usb drive you want to shrink into a free usb port. We will call this the ‘usb drive to be shrunk’. Pay careful attention to the name of the drive as it inserted. In our example case the name of the drive that appears is ‘TOSHIBA (E:)’. Also pay careful attention to the size of this ‘usb drive to be shrunk’. In our example case the usb drive says ‘7.20 GB free of 7.20 GB’.

 

         Step D: Do a quick format of this ‘usb drive to be shrunk’ (a quick format should be done first and not a complete format). Windows 7: Right click usb drive > click ‘Format…’ > click ‘Start’ > click ‘OK’.

 

         Step E: Now do a complete format of this ‘usb drive to be shrunk’ (a complete format should be done and not a quick format). Windows 7: Right click usb drive > click ‘Format…’ > Uncheck ‘Quick Format’ > click ‘Start’ > click ‘OK’.

 

         Step F: Extract the ‘BOOTICEx86.exe’ from this ‘.rar’ file onto your computer. Windows 7: Right click ‘BOOTICEx86_v1.332.rar’ > click ‘Extract Here’.

 

         Step G: Load or Open the ‘BOOTICEx86’ program from the newly extracted file. If an extra ‘User Account Control’ screen appears asking for permission, click ‘Yes’. Windows 7: Right click ‘BOOTICEx86’ > click ‘Open’ > click ‘Yes’ if needed.

 

         Step H: Now on the first ‘BOOTICE v1.3.3 – by Pauly’ program screen that appears select very carefully the CORRECT usb drive under the section ‘Destination Disk’. The drive that needs to be selected is the ‘usb drive to be shrunk’ which you have inserted. Select this ‘usb drive to be shrunk’ if it hasn’t already been pre-selected.

 

In our example case, the name of the correctly selected drive is ‘RM1: TOSHIBATransMemory (7.2 GB, E:)’. As you can see, the total size of the drive must match the size seen in Step C and in our case this is 7.2 GB. The drive letter must also match the letter seen in Step C and in our case this is ‘E:’).

 
         Step I: In the same ‘Physical disk’ tab that you are currently viewing click ‘Parts Manage’.

 

         Step J: In the ‘Partition Management’ screen that appears, click ‘Re-Partitioning’.

 

         Step K: In the ‘Removable disk repartitioning’ screen that appears, click ‘USB-HDD mode (Multi-Partitions)’, then click ‘OK’.

 

         Step L: In the ‘Partition Settings’ screen that appears, 

 

                 Under ‘Settings’ select the following amounts:


                     1: FAT 32         Size: 2000 MB                                       Label: leave empty             RsvdSecs: 32

                     2: FAT 16         Size: 0 MB                                              Label: leave empty             RsvdSecs: 32

                     3: FAT 16         Size: 0 MB                                              Label: leave empty             RsvdSecs: 32

                     4: ExFat           Size: Leave at default amount            Label: leave empty             RsvdSecs: 32


                 Under ‘Partition alignment’ leave at the default setting:


                     [Ticked]           Align partition to multiple of sectors:          2048

                     [Unticked]       Optimize internal structure (4K-aligned, only applied to FAT 16/FAT32/ExFat partitions)


                 Under ‘Partition table type’ leave at the default setting:


                     [Selected] MBR partition table              [Unselected] GUID partition table (GPT)


         Step M: Click ‘OK’. On the ‘?_?’ tab that appears saying:


                “The current disk will be re-partitioned and formatted, all partitions and files will be deleted. Still continue?”


                … click ‘Yes’.


         Step N: Click ‘OK’. Then click ‘Close’ on the next screen that appears. Then click ‘Exit’ to close the ‘BOOTICEx86’ program.

 


Congratulations, you have successfully shrunk your ‘usb drive to be shrunk’ down to approximately 2 GB size (exact 2 GB size not needed). The usb drive should now show ‘1.94 GB free of 1.94 GB free’. 


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


How to Access Your Bitcoins:


  • The safest way to ACCESS your data stored in your password protected pdf file is using your personal computer/laptop and opening it in a newly created Linux operating system (Zorin OS). This is the same system used to create the pdf in Method 3. The reason this is the safest way is because you can be 100% sure that there are no keyloggers or other malware on it. If you have used a 26-32 character password for this pdf file then this is the only acceptable way to access the file. Stay offline for the entire time you are accessing the file and never connect to the internet BEFORE, DURING or AFTER entering your pdf password into the Linux operating system (just incase the system has acquired a malware program or had one pre-installed). This means, never connect to the internet during the session where you are accessing your password encrypted files. 



How to Transact With Your Bitcoins:


  • The safest way to TRANSACT with your bitcoins is by alternating between using an online operating system (in this instance it can be either Zorin OS or your regular operating system) and a completely offline operating system (Zorin OS only) and basically creating the transaction in the online machine, before signing it in the offline machine, and then broadcasting it on the online machine. To do this using electrum: you would create a watching only electrum wallet on the online computer (using the public addresses or master public keys), and then go to the offline Linux operating system to sign the transaction from the ‘Raw transaction’ data, before loading the ‘Signed transaction’ again in the online operating system and then ‘Broadcasting’ it. If you do this, at no time will your private keys or passwords be used in the online session. Specific details on how to transact in this way can be found via online web searches. Do note that the Zorin OS 12 Core operating system cannot run the newest version of electrum, so your regular operating system needs to run the newest version of electrum for the online machine.


  • If you do not want to transact in this way, or are having difficulty with using your regular internet connected operating system together with electrum to transact with your bitcoins, then you can also transact with your bitcoins by using a website called www.coinb.in .This website allows you to transact with your bitcoins in an online-offline manner; using any internet browser on any operating system, phone or tablet. Transactions here are signed directly with the bitcoin private key so there is no need to use the electrum program.


  • To do this: go to the website www.coinb.in/#about on your online machine and then click the ‘download’ link at the very bottom on the page, which leads to: https://github.com/OutCast3k/coinbin/archive/master.zip . Then save this file named coinbin-master.zip onto a usb or dvd (see the Checksums page for the checksums of this file). This file will then be run on the offline machine by double left clicking the file named ‘index.html’. If possible, open it using a different browser to the default browser. Do an online websearch for speciifc instructions on how to perform the transactions in an offline-online manner.


  • Be very careful when transacting with the coinb.in method and make sure you test small amounts first to become familiar with the procedure. In particular, make sure you send the change back to one of your own bitcoin addresses and not leave it as part of the Transaction fee, which would instead be sent to the miners. There are famous examples of people having mistakenly sent huge amounts of bitcoins to miners this way.



Other Information:


  • If you choose to view websites while using the Zorin OS usb operating system, do not use or even open the default browser. Remove the default browser from the desktop by right clicking on it and then clicking "Remove from Favorites". After this, download a pre July 2022 version of the Firefox browser and install it into the Zorin operating system during a new session (after transferring the firefox file from the dvd or usb). Use the version built for 32 bit linux operating systems. The downloaded Firefox package file should end in ".tar.bz2". Firefox browser versions after approximately July 2022 don't work within the Zorin operating system and therefore only a pre July 2022 version of the software can be used. "firefox-94.0.2.tar.bz2" is the recommended version number to use. After installing it, and running it for the first time; while still offline, go to "Settings", then scroll down to the checkbox "Check for updates but let you choose to install them." and click it. Lastly, before you start using the Firefox browser online, always install the "Duckduckgo.com browser addon' by going directly to the duckduckgo.com website and following the prompts to install it. 


  • Additionally, to connect to the internet while using Zorin OS, use an internet 4G/LTE router device (not a mobile phone) that lets you connect to the internet using a mobile sim card. Only use the ethernet port and the ethernet cable and switch off the wifi option on the router. Set a strong password on the router to make it difficult for hackers to access remotely. If you access the internet using Zorin OS then it is absolutely essential for you to disconnect and then reconnect the battery and then RAM cards for 10 seconds every single time before switching on the computer. This will help reset the CMOS and help to wipe any bios level malware that may have infected your computer during the online session. And when you switch off the computer, do so by simply pressing and holding onto the power button until it switches off or otherwise simply close the laptop and remove the battery.


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    QR CODE Scanner / Generator programs:

The following 2 lightweight programs can be used on both your online and offline computer to read and/or generate QR codes used in transferring information from the online computer to offline computer and vice versa. They have been found to use minimal computer processing resources which make them suitable for use in the Zorin OS operating system. The QR Code reader program shown here can read image files of QR codes but cannot take the images, which means you will need to take a photo of the QR code first using the Zorin OS webcam program called ‘Cheese’ before loading the photo in the QR code reader program (search ‘cam’ or ‘cheese’ in the Zorin menu bar to find the ‘Cheese’ program). If your QR codes are too large to process, then you can break the characters used to create them into 2 or more sentences to make the QR codes smaller.

    QR CODE READER:

            OnBarcode QR Code Scanner : Name of file upon first download is ‘qrcode.zip’ . Version number 3.0.0. Downloadable from http://www.onbarcode.com/scanner/qrcode_download.php . Checksums of file upon first download: MD5 = 6B4711FF7E308ACA0F21048C8302930B SHA-1 = F5CD6E3BFBB9E23516023B943970930044C7C3F3 (see Checksums page for SHA256 and SHA512 checksums).

    QR CODE GENERATOR:

            Update pending...

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***** 2024 UPDATE: CRITICAL UPDATE COMING SOON *****


To obtain the maximum level of security possible, a new section is currently being prepared that will show users how to use the above method on a newly purchased completely offline computer that will only be ever used to create your bitcoin keys and wallets and to sign your bitcoin transactions. This will be a dedicated offline computer used only for bitcoin purposes. Every single time, before the computer is switched on, users will need to open the computer up and disconnect and then put back in all the RAM cards to reset the system. The sound and network cards, as well as the microphone of this offline computer will be physically removed permanently (not just disabled), and the computer will never ever be connected to the internet. If possible, also remove the connected hard drive and also regularly replace the mouse and keyboard that is used with this computer to prevent compromised malware from hijacking your operating system. Additionally, this offline computer will never have any usb’s connected to it except during the initial installation or when retrieving stored bitcoin data from the dedicated storage usbs. All transfers of information (in the form of master public keys, raw transaction text and signed transaction text) from this offline computer to your online computer and vice versa will be via QR code images captured on the completely offline computer using an external webcam that is connected only when used. This new section will replace Windows 7 with Windows XP as the initial operating system. Zorin OS will remain the usb operating system however instructions on how to create a Zorin OS Live CD will be included for extra security and convenience. And so too will instructions on how to transfer the encrypted bitcoin files onto a CD/DVD for permanent, less alterable storage. These measures are designed to eliminate the ever present danger of malware infecting your computer and/or usb’s and compromising your bitcoin security. Click here for details...

     

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All Work-in-progress / Planned additions or Alternate steps to Method 3, which will be in this New section are currently shown in BLUE font on this ‘Method 3 (Cold storage) webpage.

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