This is the age and time of cryptocurrency. The crypto industry is seamlessly growing in value and importance. Cryptocurrencies are digital golds — harder, stronger, faster, and smarter than any money that has preceded it. However, they are still shrouded in complexity and technical jargon.
One of the most technical terms in crypto is the private key. A secret number used in cryptography, similar to a password, is called a private key. In cryptocurrency, private keys help to sign transactions and prove ownership of a blockchain address. Public keys and private keys differ because public keys are public, open to anyone within the system. On the other hand, the private key is private, stored on a crypto user’s device. The private key is used to decrypt data. We will get more into this below…
Getting to Know Private Keys
Cryptocurrency is a set of digital keys and addresses that reflect ownership and control of virtual tokens. To send Bitcoin or other tokens, you can use any public address. However, It is impossible to withdraw tokens without the unique private key (even if tokens belong to a user’s address). No key, no coins.
Private keys come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, a private key in regular base-ten notation (sometimes called the decimal system ) would be hundreds of digits long–so lengthy that brute-force cracking would take years. Additionally, private keys read as a string of alphanumeric characters for ease of use.
Public Keys Vs. Private Keys
While generating a public address from a private key is surprisingly easy, it is nearly hard to do the opposite. However, there is the possibility that Quantum computing may change this in the future.
A sophisticated mathematical procedure generates the public key from the private key. Next, the public key generates a receiving address using a similar process. For a more straightforward explanation, Consider the address as a mailbox and the private key as the box’s key. The mail carrier can insert letters and small items through the opening in the mailbox, or anybody else for that matter. The only person who has access to the mailbox’s contents is the one who has the unique key. There is great potential for the mailbox’s security to be in jeopardy if stolen or lost, so it is critical to keep the key safe.
So, technically it means that when someone creates a new wallet, that person will always have an infinitesimally slight chance of creating a wallet with the matching number to one of those that were used for coin burning (permanently removing a number of tokens from circulation) and so it can be filled with a considerable amount of crypto coins!
Of course, that probability is so small that one would probably have a higher chance of writing the exact number of particles in the universe on a first try with both eyes closed; but still, not entirely.
Digital Wallets
For Bitcoin, private keys are an integral piece of the puzzle; however, users do not have to establish or remember their own key pairs. Instead, digital wallets generate and store key pairs automatically. Upon transaction initiation and by processing the trade with the private key, the wallet software creates a digital signature. This ensures that the system is secure because the private key is the only means to generate a valid signature for any transaction.
Once published, the signature verifies that the trade came from a particular user and guarantees that no one can modify the transaction. The signature is erroneous if the transaction is even slightly tampered with.
Security First
It is pertinent to note that If a user loses their private key, they will no longer be able to spend, withdraw, or transfer coins from their wallet. As a result, storing the private key in a secure area is critical. Users can store a digital wallet with a private key in various ways. For example, crypto users can keep private keys in paper wallets or documents with the private key and QR code. Then, to sign a transaction, scan the code.
Crypto users can also store private keys using a hardware wallet that generates and secures private keys offline using smartcards or USB devices. An offline software wallet is another option for storing private keys. This wallet has an offline section for private keys and an online section for public keys. A new transaction moves offline and is digitally signed, then it moves back online, broadcasted to the Bitcoin network using an offline software wallet.
Cold Storage, What’s That?
Because they are stored offline, Private keys are often referred to as cold storage. In addition, there are hot wallets, which keep private keys on internet-connected devices or systems. Desktop wallets (such as Electrum), mobile wallets (such as Breadwallet), and web-based wallets are examples of these wallets (e.g., Coinbase).
How Do Private Keys Work?
Similar to a password, a private key is an enormously big integer. In cryptography, private keys easily validate Digital signatures without revealing the secret. In Bitcoin transactions, private keys also verify the authenticity of a blockchain address.
What Is the Best Way to Store Private Keys?
Cryptocurrency users can safely store their private keys on computers, smartphones, USB drives, specialized hardware wallets, or even a piece of paper. When choosing the best type of storage for your Bitcoin, consider how frequently you intend to utilize it. The most practical option to keep cryptocurrency is on a password-protected mobile phone or computer. To be safe, always maintain your private keys offline for long-term or “cold” storage, ideally on devices that have never connected to the internet. Remember, even Printers, too, aren’t safe from hackers. By signing transactions in a fashion that does not compromise the private keys, hardware wallets can help with cold storage.
Should You Trust a Custodial Wallet?
A custodial wallet, like a bank, is a third-party service that allows customers to hold cryptocurrency. This freedom will enable consumers to avoid the complication of private key storage and instead rely on the service provider’s technological expertise. There are, however, tradeoffs. For example, hackers or phishing scams frequently target custodial wallets, which can be seized or frozen by law enforcement. The ideal answer is to figure out which wallet best suits your risk tolerance and technological abilities.
At Byte Federal, we offer Better Than Banking Services- complete with cryptocurrency-friendly accounts. From debit cards to bill pay, we’ve got you covered.
Choose Byte Federal. Go Bank, Yourself.
