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Ask HN: $10k in cryptos stolen off my desktop from an encrypted folder, how?

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Re: Ask HN: $10k in cryptos stolen off my desktop from an encrypted folder, how?

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Coinbase 2-factor auth plus their long-term Vault storage is plenty secure for the general population.

Or even better a checking account.

they exist.

third parties offer USD denominated checking accounts, that don't fluctuate in value. They offer visa debit cards, I think there is a credit card but not sure.

Re: Ask HN: $10k in cryptos stolen off my desktop from an encrypted folder, how?

#23
post #12

How are they cold storage paper wallets? They certainly aren't paper. They also aren't cold, being on a networked computer. I don't like victim-blaming, especially because this is really a usability issue for crypto, but I have never heard anyone say that a pw protected .rar file is appropriate security. If you're going to make a significant investment into crypto, I just don't understand how you can ignore all the s…

The fact that he uses RAR, a non open format makes it even worse.

I don't think we need to suspect the RAR encryption is broken. By default, at least on Linux, even if an archive is encrypted a 'rar l ' will show a file list though. So if the files had relevant filenames like mybitcoins.txt then it made searching the harddrive for money easier. At least I suspect crackers look for files called creditcards.txt, passwords.txt etc.

If the crackers knows the archive contains coins, then bruteforcing is worth it.

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