<p>Typically, the signing is done on the device and the private keys never reach the computer. This means that the computer can never generate and sign transactions on its own</p>
<p>A wallet like Trezor (T) shows the destination address from its screen so that you press one of the buttons on the device itself. This makes it impossible for the computer to make the device sign a stealing transaction, because you would see that the destination address is not your intended recipient.</p>
<p>I would use Trezor T with any online computer.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-22T11:44:42.233Z
is it true that to prevent the bitcoin lost when the hardware wallet goes out of order, we can back up the private key online (on Trezor's website) and encrypt it using 24 English words? If so, is the private key transferred online, or is the 24 English word transferred online?
nonopolarity
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-22T12:18:43.887Z
Sorry I don't own a hardware wallet. I can't help your more than it is on this page https://wiki.trezor.io/Passphrase but you can ask a new question
MCCCS
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-22T08:39:32.047Z
2021-02-22T12:18:20.603Z
2021-02-22T12:18:20.603Z
MCCCS
<p>For example, our PC or Mac might have 3rd party apps installed, such as Pixelmator, GIMP, or VLC player.  They are usually considered to be safe apps.</p>
<p>However, is it true that when using a hardware wallet, we need to use the PC or Mac, and if the PC or Mac is hacked or is affected by any 3rd party software, then our private key can still be stolen? How do we prevent it from being stolen?</p>
<p>Having said that, I heard that if we did not install the app as an admin on the Mac, that is, if we installed the app only by dragging the app into the Applications folder, then we can reboot the Mac and not run any 3rd party app, and at this stage, no 3rd party app should be able to do anything bad. If we installed the 3rd party app as admin (root), then it is a different story because now the app can be running itself or a small component in the background even after a reboot.</p>

<security><wallet-security><hardware-wallet>
Is our hardware wallet safe if the PC or Mac has 3rd party apps?
nonopolarity
# Is our hardware wallet safe if the PC or Mac has 3rd party apps?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-02-22)

For example, our PC or Mac might have 3rd party apps installed, such as Pixelmator, GIMP, or VLC player. They are usually considered to be safe apps.

However, is it true that when using a hardware wallet, we need to use the PC or Mac, and if the PC or Mac is hacked or is affected by any 3rd party software, then our private key can still be stolen? How do we prevent it from being stolen?

Having said that, I heard that if we did not install the app as an admin on the Mac, that is, if we installed the app only by dragging the app into the Applications folder, then we can reboot the Mac and not run any 3rd party app, and at this stage, no 3rd party app should be able to do anything bad. If we installed the 3rd party app as admin (root), then it is a different story because now the app can be running itself or a small component in the background even after a reboot.

**Tags:** security, wallet-security, hardware-wallet


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-02-22. Score: 1

Typically, the signing is done on the device and the private keys never reach the computer. This means that the computer can never generate and sign transactions on its own

A wallet like Trezor (T) shows the destination address from its screen so that you press one of the buttons on the device itself. This makes it impossible for the computer to make the device sign a stealing transaction, because you would see that the destination address is not your intended recipient.

I would use Trezor T with any online computer.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: is it true that to prevent the bitcoin lost when the hardware wallet goes out of order, we can back up the private key online (on Trezor's website) and encrypt it using 24 English words? If so, is the private key transferred online, or is the 24 English word transferred online?  
> **username_1**: Sorry I don't own a hardware wallet. I can't help your more than it is on this page https://wiki.trezor.io/Passphrase but you can ask a new question  

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