Overview of Creating a Keystore File to Access a Cryptocurrency Wallet

1 year ago
14

What Is a Keystore File?
A Keystore file is an encrypted text file that is used to access a web wallet. The Private Key os the web wallet will be stored within the Keystore file, but will be encrypted by the password that you chose when you created the file.

Steps Taken to Create a Keystore File
1) Choose a good strong password.
This will be used to encrypt your Private Key information within the file.
The password will be used to decrypt the Keystore file for login purposes and for signing of transactions.
Your password is the only true security for this type of wallet access.
2) Record the Mnemonic Backup Phrase in an offline manner.
If possible take the computer offline, before revealing the mnemonic backup phrase. This will reduce the risk of exposure of the backup phrase to the internet.
Paper copies should be printed in all caps, and laminated to protect it from water damage.
If it is not possible to take the computer offline during the mnemonic backup phrase step, then using a Copy & Paste technique to copy the mnemonic and paste it into a text file that is stored on a USB flash drive may suffice.
Do not take a screenshot or save a digital copy of the backup phrase onto a cloud server like GDrive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.
Also, until you upgrade to using a hardware device to secure the wallet, never deposit more coins than you are willing to lose onto the wallet.
3) Locate the downloaded keystore file which typically is your Downloads folder, and move it to a known location for your keystore files. It is good practice to store a backup copy of the keystore file onto a USB flash drive.
4) It is highly recommended to perform a restore wallet or 'generate keystore file' process, before you deposit coins to the wallet.
This is to check that your copy of the mnemonic backup is correct and to ensure that you can restore your wallet from the mnemonic phrase when needed.

The BIP-39 Word List
Optionally, you can download a copy of the BIP-39 word list from,
https://getcoinplate.com/blog/bip39-wordlist-in-english-printable-one-page-pdf/

The BIP-39 word list contains every legitimate word used for mnemonic backup phrases.
You can use it to troubleshoot spelling mistakes with the words you have recorded. You can load the words into a text editor or a spreadsheet and search for each word in your mnemonic backup phrase to see if you made a mistake in recording the word.

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