Steemit Wallet: Passwords & Private Keys

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·@therealwolf·
0.000 HBD
Steemit Wallet: Passwords & Private Keys
![steemit_key.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXRtvq4kfAFXsTXDGUprb2hhzHeyHpEoT97GT149QtXgk/steemit_key.png)

<h2>What happened?</h2>

So, as you probably already know, Steemit.com went ahead with their ["condenser split"](https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitblog/social-condenser-is-live), where the social and financial parts were put in separate applications, with the goal of being able to more easily improve the social application.

[Steemit.com](https://steemit.com) can now only be used to interact with the Steem blockchain in terms of social capabilities - posting, commenting, voting etc.

[Steemitwallet.com](https://steemitwallet.com) on the other hand is for accessing the financial aspects of an account, in addition with witness-voting, updating profile-information & everything else where the private active-key is required.

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<h2>Private Keys</h2>

And what is pretty clear after looking into the comment section of the announcement [post](https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitblog/social-condenser-is-live), is that many people are having problems with their password AND/OR understanding what exactly those different private keys are.

In terms of explaining the private keys, the **Keys & Permissions** section on steemitwallet.com is pretty good, but if you're not yet logged in, you can check this post out: [Steem Basics: Understanding Private Keys - Part 1](https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitblog/steem-basics-understanding-private-keys-part-1)

Now, if you're thinking that you don't really care about the different kind of private-keys and simply want to keep using your password, then let me tell you that this is a **very bad idea**.

<h2>Password</h2>

Essentially, your password gives someone *complete* access over your account (incl. the ability to change your password & recovery account), which isn't just a Facebook account, where "only" your data could be compromised, instead you could lose a hefty sum of money.

All 4 private keys can be generated/created through the password, which means that even if you "lose" your private active-key, you can simply "re-generate" it. (which is what happens behind-the-scenes if you click on *reveal* under keys & permissions)

That's why the password should be treated *very cautiously*. Best practice is to save the password in multiple offline locations (print it out) and *never* use it unless it is absolutely necessary. The last place you should ever want your password to be is inside the browser cache or in a simple text file on your computer.

So while I can fully understand the frustration some of you must feel of having to deal with learning about private keys & permissions, this is a crucial step in securing your account. You might "just" have 500 STEEM in your account right now, but what if STEEM were to reach 10$ again? Would you like to lose 5000$? I wouldn't.

<h2>Steemit.com & Steemitwallet.com Improvements</h2>

I do think that improvements can/should be made. And the best way for you to express what you'd like to see & where your problems are is to write a post about it. For example https://steemit.com/steemit/@deanliu/suggestions-to-the-new-steemit-com

<h2>Don't like the changes at all?</h2>

Last but not least, if you absolutely dislike the new changes and don't think you're able to adept, then you can use another frontend interface (like steempeak, busy, esteem, etc.): https://steemapps.com/type/interface

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All right, I know that changes usually feel weird at first, simply due to the fact that we as humans prefer habits & familiar things.

 But over time, these habits are going to there again. So keep your heads up!

*Wolf*

PS: For a more detailed explanation of the new changes & how to navigate the websites, check [this post](https://steemit.com/steem/@llfarms/normie-talk-new-steemit-wallet-change-or-how-does-it-work-now) out from @llfarms.
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