A User&#x27;s Guide to the Different Steem Keys or Passwords

pfunk (72) · 7 years ago

It's come to my attention that this post is being misused by @dineroconopcion to justify asking for people's private posting key.

I encourage all users to treat their accounts' permissions and keys with care. This goes for any third party you may provide your posting key to. If their key list is compromised:

your posts may be edited, defaced, or replaced with spam
someone could post or comment with spam, scams, or resteem anything
your vote power may be drained voting on things you don't want to vote on
your account may follow people you don't want to follow

Though it limits potential economic damage to your account, the private posting key is still a key that should be kept private.

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thegoldenphoenix (61) · 7 years ago

thank for the advice @pfunk a have seen a lot of third parties asking for the private posting key

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cryptomaniac28 (35) · 7 years ago

So is STEEM different in its block chain implementation as compared to bitcoin? In the sense that I thought once something is on the blockchain it cannot be changed. My question being how is it possible to edit previous posts once they are already a part of the blockchain?

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pfunk (72) · 7 years ago (edited)

It's true once data is into a blockchain, it's near impossible to change it. Edits are done in Steem by adding new posts or comments to the blockchain that use the same permalink title as the previous post. The edits contain the changes and some special characters that tell the Steem front end how the post is edited by the new edit transaction.

I edited this comment after posting the above paragraph to illustrate. I will edit it again to show you what the edit transaction looks like.

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7 votes

owayneforrest (22) · 6 years ago

Okay i understand now

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eirik (69) · 8 years ago

Hello pfunk sorry for disturb you on a post that is one year old.

Please I want to ask something.

If I change my password does that change private keys too? I would't really care about them that much, but I have seen that proctologic lost a lot by getting...hacked..probably.

I think a good way is to not risk it.

Thank you.

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5 votes

pfunk (72) · 8 years ago

Yes, changing your password via Steemit will change your account's permission keys essentially. The keys are derived from a combination of your password and your account name.

If you believe your keys or password may be compromised, it is a very good idea to change the password, so long as you back it up and put the backups in secure and safe places, just like your original password.

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6 votes

andybets (62) · 8 years ago

I think that answers my question too then. There's no way to change the posting key (for example) without changing the password. Thanks.

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago (edited)

You can do this with Steem accounts if you're a power-user type and aren't shy of a command line interface. With the steemit.com GUI, it's no longer possible.

Changing one key will make your original master password not function for that particular use, so if you used something other than Steemit to change just your posting key, the password would no longer allow you to post/comment/vote.

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andybets (62) · 8 years ago

Oh thanks... that's interesting. I'll get into more of the details of the CLI and APIs soon I hope.

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eirik (69) · 8 years ago

Thank you very much!

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darkpurplelight (39) · 7 years ago

Is it okay to use my owner key to access dlive through steemconnect...I get this message when trying to login dlive.io........"This operation requires your owner, active key or master password."

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pfunk (72) · 7 years ago

It's not a good idea to use your owner key anywhere, unless you need to. The active key should be used for anything else if its required. If you verify it's really Steemconnect, the active key should be used if you have it. A lot of people will use their master password but it's pretty insecure because that includes the owner key.

Only the owner key can change the owner key, so if the password were compromised, your account is essentially owned by someone else. This makes getting your account back harder and not guaranteed, as you have to rely on your account's recovery account. Which will be @steem, owned by Steemit, if you used the Steemit faucet to create your account).

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darkpurplelight (39) · 7 years ago

Thank you so much, that's what I thought, but everyone seems to use d-live to post videos since dlive has the steem features. So do I just create a dlive account and somehow associate it with my steemit account?
Sorry to be so lame, just being overly careful with my steem credentials, I kinda like steemit and don't want to compromise it.

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pfunk (72) · 7 years ago

I haven't used it but it appears the way it works is you use your active key with Steemconnect, which then adds the @dlive.app account to your posting authority. This would in effect make you a Dlive account, and you can use the service using your account through their website.

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ashwinrajt (59) · 8 years ago

Hello pfunk - First of all thank you for the post. I am new to Steemit , I dont see an option to see the owner private key. I can I see the owner private key so that I can backup the same. Thank you.

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago

Backup your master password which is used to derive your owner key.

steemit.com no longer shows the owner key.

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aitssam (42) · 8 years ago

Which WIF key in permissions used for steem mining ? owner, active which one ??

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago

PoW mining in Steem is no longer possible.

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aitssam (42) · 8 years ago

Ohh! Thank you :)

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will-zewe (61) · 9 years ago

We need to be able to pin posts to the top or create a topic of general user tools and options with only the best mmost straight forward organized posts, so people don't constantly ask about this stuff requiring new posts or to constantly be linking to old ones. Just my thoughts for the record I think this is great for new users and much needed.

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pfunk (72) · 9 years ago

So far I've put these into the #steemit-guides tag. There's also #steemhelp.

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srunix88 (31) · 7 years ago

I generally go to the FAQ section first. It would be great if there was an FAQ section on keys, with links to all the great posts like this one for answering those questions. It seems simple once you know where to look, but at first, it is not so clear. I had to search for "How to create new keys" to find this post. It may be somewhere else, but the FAQ seems like a great place. If it is already there, maybe it should be more obvious - because I was looking for it and missed it.

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https://steemit.com/faq.html#How_can_I_keep_my_Steem_account_secure

srunix88 (31) · 7 years ago (edited)

For instance, here is a link to the FAQ section where I would be great to have an article on how to create them and all the fun bits about changing them, the effect of changing them, etc.

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zinovi (50) · 7 years ago (edited)

On a side note, it is better to use a password manager like LastPass, then using the default browser solution (remember password) or not using anything at all.

There, you could set on which urls, which keys could be used.

Never enter your password/key manually, only through the manager.

If there comes a place, where that the password manager don't give you the option to input your keys, look carefully why. Is it phishing ? Be skeptical.

And don't forget to backup your password manager's data store (or as it is called for LastPass - Vault), preferably in an encrypted, password protected form, at multiple places, at least one of which is cold storage.

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blackjincrypto (58) · 9 years ago

yeah this is very good for beginners, this information is very important that all users can navigate well with the functions of the features on their steemit account

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4 votes

jchch (60) · 9 years ago

@pfunk, Hi pfunk, can we change the password logging in from Facebook or Reddit? Maybe going through some verification for identity. I am worried what if I forget my password? Then I will lost my money here? Thank you.

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pfunk (72) · 9 years ago (edited)

Bottom line is, back up your password well. I just wrote a guide going a little more into changing your owner key, and I have an older one about changing and using the posting key. See the bottom of this post for those links.

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hannixx42 (59) · 9 years ago

Nice @pfunk. We've got lots of new users who need the 411 on Steem keys.

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corganmusic (53) · 7 years ago

Have you heard about the Kareo Key?

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dking7334 (55) · 9 years ago

Good post I had no idea about the keys good information!

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karnal (63) · 9 years ago

This is really good info, thanks for posting.

It should be mandatory reading for any new users!

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karnal (63) · 9 years ago

karnal update account data (show details) 4 minutes ago
69a765ff Karnal karnal update account data (show details) 5 minutes ago
f78d3d7b Karnal karnal update account data (show details) 6 minutes ago
36a1157f Karnal karnal replied to @pfunk/a-user-s-guide-to-the-different-ste… 9 minutes ago

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sharingtheworld (46) · 9 years ago

@pfunk Thanks for all this info, I FINALLY understood what all those keys were for :) (I already had a secure password, I'm not that bad :D) Following you!

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sheskates926 (59) · 7 years ago

Thanks!

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redahktobr (25) · 7 years ago

dtube is telling me my private posting key is wrong. what do i do?

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ensyth-maddy (39) · 8 years ago

I'm totally new, I just got into my account now. Thanks for explaining the keys - who woulda thought we get five for one? I'll go get the other four and store them securely, and log in with the Posting key. Much appreciated.

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cruzs (27) · 8 years ago

I dont get it... Where do I find my PRIVATE OWNER KEY? There is just a normal (public??) owner key.

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago

This guide is outdated and the Steemit GUI has changed since I made it. Your account's master password contains your owner key, so be careful with it!

For advanced users who want to get their individual keys to use them individually, use @xeroc's paper wallet generator.

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chhabiz (35) · 9 years ago

Thank you for informative article.

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stuntworksinc (56) · 8 years ago

So....know this is old, but still has folks discussing.

I want to transfer SBD from bittrex to my steem account. Not sure which key to use, as it seems I can use several. Then....do I use the standard key on my permissions page or the private key???

Don't wanna send stuff to the wrong place and lose it forever. Any help would be very appreciated fellow steemians.

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago

Enter your Steem account namestuntworksinc into the Address field in a withdrawal from Bittrex or Poloniex or any other exchange. Simple as that :)

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stuntworksinc (56) · 8 years ago

Thanks @pfunk (allstars) for the smoking fast reply.

Been looking around and finally found another guide. It mentions using the public memo key in the memo section on bittrex. Is that needed, or at least okay?

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago

I'm not sure where they got that idea. No memo is needed for exchange -> account.

Account -> exchange uses an exchange provided memo key generally.

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stuntworksinc (56) · 8 years ago

Thanks again @pfunk. I went ahead and used the memo, just in case. All worked fine.

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sk8music (46) · 8 years ago

Hello Pfunk, I'm trying to verify my Steemit account with Streemian so I can use Curie. Is my active private key (wif), the big long password that Steemit generated for me when I first opened my Steemit account? Or is Streemian wanting something else? How do I verify my Steemit account with Streemian so I may use Curie? Thanks!

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lysaa (37) · 9 years ago

It create what are the key and password ? Sorry I am new in here

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tablet (36) · 9 years ago (edited)

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alkemix (48) · 9 years ago

My keys are still not working, has anybody found a solution to this?
https://steemit.com/steem/@alkemix/steemit-password-and-private-key-mystery-share-your-how-to-now

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prakashghai (63) · 8 years ago

This is the most confusing explanation ever.
Tell me - before proceeding, all the key are available by default.
Do I first need to change all the keys, before using or saving them?

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago (edited)

I've replied here: https://steemit.com/steem/@prakashghai/how-many-keys-and-how-many-paaswords-do-i-need-to-change-and-remember-on-steemit

Why downvote this post?

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pulpworx (57) · 8 years ago

This explanation has clearly explained the issue for me. I was also led to this article from a discussion on #teamaustralia Discord channel. Loving the fast response community on Steemit.

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imperialaussie (51) · 7 years ago

Excellent explanation of the keys. I was having trouble understanding the use of each key. Thank you

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system-sengine (45) · 8 years ago

Well, that made a light shine. Thanks for the explanation.

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pfunk (72) · 8 years ago

You are welcome

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zahid0406 (36) · 7 years ago

I want to example.

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dimitra (48) · 7 years ago

Thank you for advice ! ! It' s very useful ! ! :) :) :)

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cavesson (48) · 7 years ago

Thanks for the clarification. It’s day one for me so all those keys were mystifying me.

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basquejohn (34) · 7 years ago

thanks for your info. I'm learning every day. Steemit is really kool . I do have a lot to offer but first I got a lot to learn. Im an old fart figuring shit out.

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pfunk (72) · 7 years ago

You're welcome. Welcome to Steem, @basquejohn!

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terminalblue (52) · 7 years ago

really useful! thanks for sharing!

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aiyumi (59) · 7 years ago

Great information, both in the post and in the comments, too!

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holar (25) · 7 years ago

I have go through this post ant it's awesome. The only thing that got me confused is that I couldn't find all other keys except the generated key. Please where can I find it in my account and how do I go about it.
Thanks

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eporada (25) · 7 years ago

@pfunk, thank you very much for the explanation.

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wakeupkitty (76) · 7 years ago

Interesting but I still do not know how to get these different keys. The posting key to start with. How come steemit is not telling this?

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stellabelle (75) · 9 years ago

hey, should i take a screenshot of my keys, print it out then destroy the digital file?
I don't know what to do about this new information...

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robertgenito (59) · 7 years ago

thanks pfunk :)

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jiuoneone (25) · 6 years ago (edited)

crying for not reading your post 3 months ago. lost my keys and then a newbie back here again.

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fr3eze (68) · 6 years ago

I lost my master key thinking the it is just the owner key in the other name. I still holds my owner, posting, active and memo key and I wonder if this posting any potential risk on my Steem day? Is losing the Master key hinder my motivation to run a witness node in the future?

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pfunk (72) · 6 years ago

With your owner key, you own your account fully. You can use it to create a new randomly generated "master key", the one that starts with P5J or P5K. Or you can continue with the keys you have without issue.

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upstripes (35) · 6 years ago

Thx m8, already getting a glimpse on how to use this new social network. Greetings from Mexico!

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