@ -200,24 +200,33 @@ Mobile wallet:: A mobile wallet is the most common type of Bitcoin
wallet. Running on smart-phone operating systems such as Apple iOS and
wallet. Running on smart-phone operating systems such as Apple iOS and
Android, these wallets are often a great choice for new users. Many are
Android, these wallets are often a great choice for new users. Many are
designed for simplicity and ease-of-use, but there are also fully
designed for simplicity and ease-of-use, but there are also fully
featured mobile wallets for power users.
featured mobile wallets for power users. To avoid downloading and
storing large amounts of data, most mobile wallets retrieve information
from remote servers, reducing your privacy by disclosing information
about your Bitcoin addresses and balances to third parties.
Web wallet:: Web wallets are accessed through a web browser and store
Web wallet:: Web wallets are accessed through a web browser and store
the user's wallet on a server owned by a third party. This is similar to
the user's wallet on a server owned by a third party. This is similar to
webmail in that it relies entirely on a third-party server. Some of
webmail in that it relies entirely on a third-party server. Some of
these services operate using client-side code running in the user's
these services operate using client-side code running in the user's
browser, which keeps control of the Bitcoin keys in the hands of the
browser, which keeps control of the Bitcoin keys in the hands of the
user. Most, however, present a compromise by taking control of the
user, although the user's dependence on the server still compromises
Bitcoin keys from users in exchange for ease-of-use. It is inadvisable
their privacy. Most, however, take control of the Bitcoin keys from
users in exchange for ease-of-use. It is inadvisable
to store large amounts of bitcoin on third-party systems.
to store large amounts of bitcoin on third-party systems.
Hardware wallet:: Hardware wallets are devices that operate a secure
Hardware signing devices:: Hardware signing devices are devices that can
self-contained Bitcoin wallet on special-purpose hardware. They usually
store keys and sign transactions using a special-purpose hardware and
connect to a desktop or mobile device via USB cable or
software. They usually
near-field-communication (NFC), and are operated with a web browser or
connect to a desktop, mobile, or web wallet via USB cable,
accompanying software. By handling all Bitcoin-related operations on the
near-field-communication (NFC), or a camera with QR codes. By handling
specialized hardware, these wallets are considered very secure and
all Bitcoin-related operations on the specialized hardware, these
suitable for storing large amounts of bitcoin.
wallets are less vulnerable to many types of attacks. Hardware signing
devices are sometimes called "hardware wallets", but they need to be
paired with a full-featured wallet to send and receive transactions, and
the security and privacy offered by that paired wallet plays a critical
role in how much security and privacy the user obtains when using the
hardware signing device.
===== Full-node vs. Lightweight
===== Full-node vs. Lightweight
Another way to categorize bitcoin wallets is by their degree of autonomy and how they interact with the Bitcoin network:
Another way to categorize bitcoin wallets is by their degree of autonomy and how they interact with the Bitcoin network: