Blockchain For Dummies
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A paper wallet is a paper copy of your public and private key for your Bitcoins. Because they're completely offline, paper wallets are one of the most secure ways to hold Bitcoins when done correctly. The advantage is that your private key is not stored digitally, so it isn't subject to hacking. Making a paper wallet is fairly easy. Just follow these steps:
  1. Go to bitaddress.org.
  2. Move your mouse around the screen until the amount of randomness shows 100%.
  3. Click the Paper Wallet button. This gives the option to create a paper wallet that you can print.
  4. In the Addresses to Generate field, enter 1.

    You can make several wallets at once, if you need to, but you might as well just start with one to get the hang of it.

  5. Click the Generate button. The figure shows a paper wallet.
  6. Click the Print button.

    Do not let anyone watch you create your paper wallet. This isn't something you want to do at a public computer. Make sure to use a printer that is private and not connected to the Internet so you're not at risk of your private keys being hacked.

blockchain-paper-wallet
A paper wallet.

Laminate your paper wallet to make it a little more durable.

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Tiana Laurence is a blockchain pioneer, an investor, and a serial entrepreneur. She co-founded Factom, Inc., a software company that builds technology within the blockchain space. She is currently a columnist for TechTarget with writings focusing on blockchain and IoT and managing partner of Laurence Ventures, a firm investing in technology initiatives.

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