Understanding Offline Storage
Offline storage involves storing the private keys of an account and the associated funds on a device that is not constantly connected to the internet.
The purpose of offline storage is to prevent unauthorized or malicious access to the device, which could lead to theft or misuse of user funds.
Keeping the private keys offline significantly reduces the risk of attackers gaining access to critical financial information.
Comparing Offline Storage
In contrast, online storage refers to keeping data on devices with an active internet connection.
Despite implementing encryption and other security measures, bad actors can still bypass or break through these security measures to access the private keys stored in online storage.
This is because online storage devices are constantly accessible and can be targeted by attackers at any time.
Enhancing Security
On the other hand, offline storage devices have limited or no internet connectivity.
They may come online for a short period when a transaction needs to be sent to the network, but they quickly go offline again.
Even if a cyber thief manages to intercept a transaction during this brief online window, they cannot view the private key used for the transaction.
This makes it extremely difficult, if not nearly impossible, for attackers to compromise the device within this narrow time frame.