<p>The <code>xpubkey</code> (your master public key) is not something you need to export.</p>

<p>What you need to store is your seed value for the Electrum wallet. With this it can regenerate you the <code>xpubkey</code>.</p>

<p>The <code>xpubkey</code> is not really useful unless you are providing it to someone who intends to make multiple payments to you. If this is the case then make sure only that individual or business will be sending you funds to the address set as once the <code>xpubkey</code> is shared it allows them to see all addresses down that chain.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-13T18:24:48.303Z
I have exported my seed, saved it off and stored it in a safe secure place.  What I am wondering is if need to secure my Master Public Key.  Do I need to keep it secret?
browep
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-13T19:19:42.180Z
I'm not that familiar with electrum, but I'm pretty sure something named `xpubkey` is a public key, not a private key.  If it is private, that's a very poor name.
Jestin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T15:17:11.893Z
As I said, you wont loose funds by sharing it but its does harm your privacy with that specific wallet.
MaxSan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-13T17:36:57.210Z
2017-05-13T16:55:10.967Z
2017-05-13T16:55:10.967Z
MaxSan
<p>I have an electrum wallet and have exported the Master Public Key.  What level of security should I use for the MPK?  Should I keep it offline?  Can I keep it in plaintext in an online computer?  Back it up somewhere ( gmail / dropbox )?  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-01T18:42:14.587Z
AFAIK Nobody can steal your bitcoins using your Public Key. no bitcoins can be spent in a wallet without the Private Key / seed.
vsync
<electrum><privacy><deterministic-wallets>
Do I need to secure my Master Public Key generated from an Electrum wallet?
browep
# Do I need to secure my Master Public Key generated from an Electrum wallet?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-13)

I have an electrum wallet and have exported the Master Public Key. What level of security should I use for the MPK? Should I keep it offline? Can I keep it in plaintext in an online computer? Back it up somewhere ( gmail / dropbox )?

**Tags:** electrum, privacy, deterministic-wallets

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: AFAIK Nobody can steal your bitcoins using your Public Key. no bitcoins can be spent in a wallet without the Private Key / seed.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-03-13. Score: 2

The `xpubkey` (your master public key) is not something you need to export.

What you need to store is your seed value for the Electrum wallet. With this it can regenerate you the `xpubkey`.

The `xpubkey` is not really useful unless you are providing it to someone who intends to make multiple payments to you. If this is the case then make sure only that individual or business will be sending you funds to the address set as once the `xpubkey` is shared it allows them to see all addresses down that chain.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I have exported my seed, saved it off and stored it in a safe secure place.  What I am wondering is if need to secure my Master Public Key.  Do I need to keep it secret?  
> **username_3**: I'm not that familiar with electrum, but I'm pretty sure something named `xpubkey` is a public key, not a private key.  If it is private, that's a very poor name.  
> **username_2**: As I said, you wont loose funds by sharing it but its does harm your privacy with that specific wallet.  

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