A 12-word seed phrase acts as a key to unlock access to a crypto wallet and is also the ultimate recovery tool for wallets on the blockchain. The words that comprise the 12-word seed phrase are randomly picked from a published list of 2,048 words by an algorithm when a wallet is created, and given to the user at the moment of the account opening. Since it is the master key, if the seed phrase gets lost, forgotten, or mixed up, the user permanently loses access to their crypto wallet. The seed phrase is intrinsically connected to the user’s blockchain private key and public key. A private key is a cryptographically secure 256-bit number that "unlocks" access to a public key, and it is generated at the time of the wallet creation. The public key is an address in the blockchain that allows a user to receive crypto funds and it is derived from the private key. Since it is not easily manageable for a user to enter a 256-bit private key every time they want to perform a transaction, a 12 or 24 words seed phrase is automatically generated by the wallet and is derived from the private key so that when a user enters their seed phrase into their wallet app, it is as if they input their private key to access funds. From the computer's point of view, a public key is equivalent to a username or the address where the crypto lives within that wallet. The private key is equivalent to a secret password (in the traditional sense) that allows users to buy, trade, and sell items, and the seed phrase is a simplified and more humanly manageable version of the 256-bit private key. A private key can be accessed at the wallet that generates it, but also, accessed in other wallet apps. People are terrible at creating passwords. There are tales on TikTok about people trying to guess their significant others' passwords, then finding out it's just "password1" or their name. That's why websites put “strong” password requirements into place: to force people to make better passwords. A computer algorithm in the wallet app creates the 12-word seed phrase assigned to the user. That algorithm has 2,048 possible words to choose from. In mathematical terms, that's 2048 to the 12th power, which comes out to a mind-boggling large number: "5,444,517,870,735,015,415,413,993,718,908,291,383,296." There aren't words for how large that number is, other than 5.4445179e+39. Since there are so many possible word combinations, it's next to impossible for a hacker to crack. They could create a program to work through all the options (a brute force search approach), but the chances of getting the right combination are 1 out of the big number above.Why 12 Random Words?
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BIP39: The 12 Recovery Words Blockchain Origin Language
There are 2,048 different word options for the 12-word phrase. Those words come from the published BIP39 specification or Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 39.
One cool thing about crypto (or Bitcoin, in this case) is that the entire community strives to improve the blockchain process. One of these improvement projects (BIP39) suggested that different crypto wallets and sites use an agreed-upon category of words for mnemonic phrases (seed phrases). That's how those 2,048 phrases were born.
When Would One Use a 12-Word Seed Phrase?
Most of the time, a 12-word seed phrase should live on a piece of paper in a safe, in a filing cabinet, and in one more secure location. That phrase can live in those locations full-time until it needs to be consulted. When would that happen?
First, a 12-word phrase is needed any time someone accesses a wallet on a new device, like if someone got a new phone or laptop. The user should only be signing into their crypto wallet on a secure network such as at their home, so this shouldn't happen often. Broken devices, new devices, and upgrades are all reasons to use the 12-word phrase.
On a more morbid note, a user’s 12 word seed phrase should be integrated into their will or estate documents. That way, if something happens to the user, their trustees will be able to access any crypto assets. Adding this information into a will or trust prevents situations like the one with Gerald Cotten from happening again.
The Do's and Don'ts of 12-Word Seed Phrases
Just like the Instagram recovery keys, a 12-word phrase will only be issued once. That's the time to write it down, store it, and or memorize it for future use.
The worst thing someone could do is store this phrase key online, where hackers could access it.
Online Storage: Better than Forgetting, But Unsafe
If someone did have to store their seed phrase online, they should make sure it's in a protected password storage app/service. These are not as safe as keeping passwords locked away in a vault, but it's better than having them float around in easy-to-hack platforms.
Instead of listing every word out, in order, in that protected platform, try using a shorthand key.
For example, writing down only the first two letters and the last letter of a word. The word which would become wi**h. Bread would become br**d, and so on. A hacker could still quickly figure this out if they got into that password storage app, but it will present somewhat of a challenge.
Best Practices for Your 12 Word Phrase
Everyone should have their 12-word seed phrase written down in at least two places—one as their primary source and one as a backup. The backups should also be stored in multiple locations, to keep their money safe.
As discussed above, anyone with active Crypto-assets should have their 12-word seed phrase listed in their will or trust. That counts as one storage option.
The second place should be where the user knows to look, like in the back of a journal or written on a bookmarked page in their favorite book. Never store/tape/or write passwords on or around the computer. That's not Crypto specific. That's cybersecurity 101.
Relying on wallet apps to reset a seed phrase if it's lost
Unfortunately, if a 12-word seed phrase gets lost, there's no way to "reset" it. The person who lost their phrase will have no way to access their account or their assets, even if they appeal to the platform administrators.
Keeping the recovery phrase safe is the only way to ensure consistent access to Crypto assets. It's the ultimate test of cybersecurity.
All wallet apps rely mostly on the seed phrase for fraud prevention. This has its pros and cons. Learn more about it in the latest Mobile App Friction Report - Crypto Edition - Authentication.
As an enthusiast and expert in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency security, I'd like to delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article to offer a comprehensive understanding of the crucial components involved.
Seed Phrase and Its Significance: The 12-word seed phrase is a vital element in cryptocurrency wallets, serving as both the key to access the wallet and the ultimate recovery tool. This phrase is randomly generated from a list of 2,048 words when a wallet is created. The randomness and uniqueness of this phrase are crucial for the security of the crypto wallet. Losing or forgetting the seed phrase means permanent loss of access to the wallet.
Connection to Keys: The seed phrase is intrinsically connected to the user's blockchain private key and public key. The private key, a cryptographically secure 256-bit number, unlocks access to the public key, which is the user's blockchain address for receiving crypto funds. The seed phrase acts as a more humanly manageable version of the private key, facilitating user-friendly transactions.
Why 12 Random Words? People's inadequacy in creating strong passwords led to the adoption of a 12-word seed phrase. The computer algorithm responsible for generating the seed phrase has 2,048 possible words to choose from, resulting in an astronomically large number of combinations (5.4445179e+39). This complexity makes it nearly impossible for hackers to crack the seed phrase through brute force.
BIP39: The Blockchain Origin Language: The 2,048 words used in the 12-word phrase are derived from the BIP39 specification, which stands for Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 39. This proposal aimed to standardize the use of words for mnemonic phrases across different crypto wallets and sites, enhancing the overall blockchain process.
When to Use a 12-Word Seed Phrase: The 12-word seed phrase is crucial when accessing a wallet on a new device, such as a new phone or laptop. It is also recommended to integrate the seed phrase into one's will or estate documents to ensure access for trustees in case of unforeseen events.
Do's and Don'ts: The 12-word seed phrase should be treated with utmost care. It should be written down, stored securely, and never shared online where hackers could potentially access it. If online storage is necessary, it should be done in a protected password storage app. Shorthand keys, like using the first and last letters of words, can add an extra layer of security.
Best Practices: Best practices include having the seed phrase written down in at least two secure locations, one as the primary source and one as a backup. Both should be stored in multiple physical locations for added security. It's emphasized that relying on wallet apps to reset a lost seed phrase is not an option, making safeguarding the recovery phrase the ultimate test of cybersecurity.
In conclusion, the 12-word seed phrase plays a pivotal role in securing cryptocurrency assets, and understanding its generation, significance, and best practices is crucial for anyone involved in the crypto space.