pull down to refresh
0 sats \ 12 replies \ @Solomonsatoshi 28 Sep \ parent \ on: Are Hardware Wallets a Shitcoin? bitcoin
HW touts proliferate on social media spreading their disingenuous rentseeking FUD.
HWs are not good for your Biutcoin security and self sovereignty.
For starters any serious bitcoin computing should be done on a linux os.
Secondly HWs make users dependent upon third party gadgets which can be lost, stolen, hacked or malfunction.
It is far better and easier and cheaper to learn how to create your own cold storage free of any dependence upon third party gadgets.
Note- The key to secure cold storage is the storage of your seed phrase and HWs cannot do that for you.
Read this.
https://electrum.readthedocs.io/en/latest/coldstorage.html
HWs are for lazy consumer sheeple.
I don't agree with your arguments that hardware wallets undermine one's sovereignty. They are just a specialized tool to aid you sign your transactions more securely. Perhaps you could argue that ten years ago you could get locked into their system but almost all current hardware wallets use the open standards (BIP32, BIP39, output descriptors) so you can easily migrate to any other hardware or software wallet.
The most compelling argument to use them is that they are specialized computers so their attack surface is greatly reduced compared to any general purpose computer. If you're using a general purpose computer you're at greater risk to hardware and software attacks. Setting aside hardware attacks, to securely use a general purpose computer you need to verify the OS and your wallet software each time you use it. All it takes is one time you don't do it. Then you have to hope that no upstream libraries have been poisoned (e.g. XZ backdoor). There's a reason why the Dark Skippy attack was done on a SeedSigner. It's just so much easier to create a modified version and there's no secure boot protection.
Lastly, just to address your point about hardware wallet manufacturers shilling their product and creating FUD. I think a more correct assessment of the situation is that they have identified problems with using generic hardware/software and are providing a solution to remedy that. I haven't ever see them make false claims what they're doing just to sell more devices.
reply
I hear a lot of ad hominem type attacks, but I don't see any substance behind your arguments. I'm open to listening to your opinion on why you believe the things you are saying to be true.
The one point I agree with you on is that the key to cold storage is the storage of your seed phrase. Yes, the HWW cannot do this for you and neither can your air gapped linux machine. You must do this on your own.
The HWW can help you in generating the seed offline on a device that never touches the internet. Also important, it can help you sign transactions in an airgapped fashion, if you actually want to use your bitcoin.
Anyway, to each his own, you seem to have very strong opinions based on your attack so I'm not trying to change your mind. Just providing another perspective from someone who will make exactly $0.00 if someone chooses to buy a HWW or not.
reply
Do you believe HW vendors don't promote their products via social media? Seriously?
If they do will they admit it? No. So your claim there is no gain for in promoting HWs carries zero credibility. There is simply too much incentive for HW manufacturers to seriously believe they would not promote on social media.
Anyway of you are genuine and want to achieve the ability to create a cold wallet and make transfers without ever needing any third party HW gadget-
Learn how to create a Linux OS on a usb stick.
This is all you need to have an always offline cold wallet which can also sign transactions should you ever wish to transfer funds out.
If you are regularly transferring out you really should learn how to sign transactions remotely. No serious trader would rely upon a HW.
Also only use Linux for any serious Bitcoin computing.
Not interested and wasting time explaining further - if you don't get it yet you're not ready to understand what Bitcoin is about.
reply
What makes you think Ubuntu on a USB stick is always offline? Does the computer have Intel Management Engine physically disabled or not? What about the AMD Platform Security Processor? Is there bios level malware running in the computer?
The linux kernel has a long list of known unpatched vulnerabilities (don't believe me, go listen to why the folks at GrapheneOS recommend not using non-hardened linux, particularly for highly sensitive work):
Perhaps you should do some studying about the insecurity of general purpose computers before spouting off like you're some genius sent down to enlighten us all:
reply
Do you believe HW vendors don't promote their products via social media?
reply
Now you are just raising extreme nonsense FUD.
Clearly you are highly motivated to create pro HW FUD and have scoured all the FUD you now spout.
You have not responded to any of the facts and issues I have raised and instead you respond with diversionary scaremongering FUD.
Im calling you out as paid a HW tout.
As already stated- not interested if you don't get it and you are clearly determined not to because your agenda is to spruik HWs.
reply
Lol, you can believe whatever you want. My exact issue was that you didn't raise "facts and issues" but just spouted off attacks.
Just because you say something doesn't make it true. Sorry, but that's your life lesson for today troll.
reply
Do you believe HW vendors don't promote their products via social media?
reply
I raise multiple facts and issues- you have repeatedly failed to respond to most of them let alone convincingly dismiss or retort them...instead you deny they exist- something anyone following this thread can see is pure evasion.
reply
You clearly have some reading comprehension issues. Best of luck to you in life my friend. I'm done engaging :)
reply
You are not my friend....if you think you are you have a totally screwed view of friendship.
You repeatedly refuse to answer my question which goes to the heart of the issue that you constantly seek to avoid-
Do you seriously believe HW manufacturers don't use social media operatives to promote their gadgets?
claims to speak for everyone 'us all' calls disingenuous evasion and diversion 'engaging'.
Accuses others of ad hominen attacks and then proceeds to launch multiple such attacks. themself.
Get a fucking grip and see - you are not engaging in a good faith contest of ideas but rather determined evasion and trolling...whether you realise it or not...its ugly and unproductive.