1️⃣ Before Use

🤔 How much storage do I need on my test laptop?

🤔 How does it run on 32GB USB sticks, I thought the blockchain was 600+ GB?

🤔 What is the difference between Codex32, Shamir Secret Sharing and Multisig?

🤔 When I’m installing Tails, I should Create Persistent Storage, right?

🤔 I don’t have a USB stick, what one should I get?

🤔 I don’t have a computer, what type should I get?

🤔 What type of backup USB stick should I get?

How much storage do I need on my test laptop?

You don’t need any storage available on your test laptop. You just need a 32+ GB USB stick, the whole thing runs from that USB and leaves your laptop storage untouched.

How does it run on 32GB USB sticks, I thought the blockchain was 600+ GB?

CipherStick uses pruning when the USB stick is less than 1 TB. All block chain data will be downloaded and verified but the oldest blocks will be removed so your USB stick does not run out of space. Unless you wish to restore an old wallet, this doesn’t matter.

What is the difference between Codex32, Shamir Secret Sharing and Multisig?

Andrew Polestra: What is Shamir Secret Sharing and how does it compare to Multisig?

When I’m installing Tails, I should Create Persistent Storage, right?

No! CipherStick will create the Persistent Storage for you. You will miss important steps if you try to set this up yourself before running the git clone https://github.com/benwestgate/bails; */b command. If you do this and did not select a long passphrase consisting of 4-7 random words you MUST restart, delete your persistent storage and start over.

I don’t have a USB stick, what one should I get?

CipherStick will work well on most USB sticks if your computer has at least 8 GB of memory. Tails will start and Bitcoin Core will sync and shutdown much faster if the drive has high “IOPS”. This performance is not commonly advertised on the package so here are some models that are top performers, using one of these will reduce your startup and initial sync time by 50-90%:

USB sticks with SSD-like performance:

Portable SSDs aka USB sticks with SSD-like performance:

USB sticks with at least double the typical IOPS performance (may be cheaper)

MicroSD memory cards with at least double the typical USB stick’s IOPS performance (cheaper)

1 TB of storage is needed to not prune the block chain. This allows your node to fully support the network serving all historical blocks, but it doesn’t personally help you unless you have a 10 year old wallet to restore. 8 GB laptops are known to sync on budget 64 GB USB sticks in under 4 days if that helps you choose. While 4 GB Laptops are able to sync in 4 days on SSD-like USB sticks. Once you are synced, every USB stick and computer will perform well.

I don’t have a computer, what type should I get?

In addition to Tails’ recommendations, here are some CipherStick specific tips for selecting a computer to buy, buy and return, rent or borrow to complete the initial sync as fast as possible:

  1. New computers may be better if paranoid. There are more opportunities in the supply chain to compromise a used, renewed, open-box or refurbished computer. But these options are reasonably safe if the seller does not know you intend to use the computer for Bitcoin. Paying with cash is another step to prevent linking your identity to the computer.

  2. Avoid computers with 4 GB of RAM or less, they will force your USB stick to work much harder, wearing it out prematurely. On 4GB RAM, without one of the “SSD-like” drives above, the initial synchronization could take weeks instead of days. 8 GB RAM is better and 16 GB RAM is best. With 16 GB RAM computers most USB sticks can complete initial sync in hours, rather than days with 8 GB RAM.

  3. Choose Windows, MacOS or Linux. While Chromebooks may work, most have 4 GB of RAM and there are extra steps to make them run Tails. It’s easier to start Tails from MacOS and Linux and easiest from Windows.

  4. Storage drive type and capacity don’t matter. Tails never uses your computer’s storage. You’re free to use this computer for other purposes or return it, after removing your CipherStick. CipherStick would even work with a used PC from eBay with no internal disk!

  5. Screen size and resolution don’t matter. With laptops or all-in-one desktops you can save money buying a smaller size and/or lower resolution screen. HD or 720p is plenty of space for Bitcoin Core. Almost any laptop or monitor will suffice.

Enough already, just show me a cheap and fast computer to get:

Once you are synced, nearly any computer will be fast enough to stay caught up as long as you use CipherStick regularly, especially if you have a recommended USB stick

What type of backup USB stick should I get?

  1. Equal size to your primary CipherStick helps avoid pruning.
  2. A fast write speed makes backing up faster.
  3. Industrial SD cards and may retain data longer than “MLC” or “TLC” USB sticks.
  4. Your backup USBs won’t need fast read performance and can be cheaper models.