NEWBIES INITIATIVE TASK 3: HIVE KEYS AND SECURITY

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The Newbies Initiative had a tutorial on Hive Security where they explained the Hive keys and recovery account. It was highly informative, and I learnt a lot. So I’ll be sharing what I learnt.

HIVE KEYS

When a person creates an account on the Hive blockchain, they are given a set of keys to operate their account. Now, these keys are complex, a mix of numbers and letters in upper case and lower case, adding up to about fifty characters, with the exception of one of the keys which has less numbers of characters. This is to heavily guarded the account.

These keys are five in number and they serve different functions.

POSTING KEY: It is required for activities like posting, editing, reblogging, upvoting, commenting, following, and even muting— activities related to blogging.

MEMO KEY: It is the least important key and is used for viewing and sending private messages.

ACTIVE KEY: This is used for performing financial functions on the blockchain. Functions like powering up and powering down, conversion of HBD and Hive, transferring tokens, and voting for witnesses.

OWNER KEY: This is the most powerful key of all. It can be used to generate other keys, so it is required when recovering a lost account or changing keys.

MASTER KEY: This is also called “password”. Like the owner key, it is used to recover the other keys.

HOW AND WHERE TO FIND THE KEYS

On the Hive Blog

1. Open up the blog and go to your profile.
2. Click “wallet”.
3. Click “Keys &Permissions

On PeakD

1. Open up your blog.
2. Click the box with the three dots.
3. Click “Keys & Permissions”.

In your opinion, what are the best ways of keeping your keys safe?

The blockchain does not have the option of “forgot password?” that some other platforms have. If you lose your keys, you lose your account. Therefore, our keys need to be stored safely. How do we do this?

1. Storing the keys offline is necessary. I know the characters are a lot, but it can be done. It can be written down.
2. The keys can be copied onto the notes app on a mobile phone and locked with a password.
3. Storing the keys in the cloud (like iCloud or Google Drive) is also a good way.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR RECOVERY ACCOUNT

There is something called a “Trustee” or recovery account. It is basically an account that is linked to yours to enable you recover your account.

It’s quite easy to check it. To do so, simply click https://hiveblocks.com/@username and fill in your username.

You can also change your Trustee to another user who you’re familiar with and who is more accessible. However, it should be a trustworthy person.

HOW TO RECOVER AN ACCOUNT

This is more complex, although not difficult. You can do it at https://reazuliqbal.com/HiveAccountRecovery/. Click “Recovery Account” and follow the instructions. You will need to generate a new password in order to be given a new Public Owner Key. The next step is to send the key to the Trustee. Finally, fill in the required details. What is left is simply to click “Recover Account”. It’s that easy.

CONCLUSION

Guard your keys. Make sure you store them in places that are accessible and with people that are accessible as well. Lastly, be mindful of the links you click.