How do you normally log into your steemit account? I know that most newbie including myself will answer “Keying in that complicated 52 characters master password” that was generated to you when you first register your steem account.
If you’ve been logging into your steemit account using the Master Password, I’m sorry to tell you that you are actually doing it wrong!! As a newbie, I myself have been using the Master Password until yesterday morning. Nobody have told me that every steemian actually have other passwords.. yes you read it right, PASSWORDS and these passwords have their own functions. Thanks to @maverickfoo for highlighting about Steemit Keys/Passwords management during our first day of Steemit Masterclass in KK.
Every Steemit user is given 4 types of keys and you can find them in these few steps:
From the Wallet Section, you will find three sub-sections that includes; Balances, Permissions and Password.
Click on sub-section "Permissions" and you should be able to see QR codes and the public keys. These are the keys that I am talking about.
Types of keys and when to use them:
Posting Key:
Use this key to do all basic actions such as submitting posts, upvoting and downvoting other posts, commenting and replying posts, following and unfollow users, and claiming rewards. You should always use this key to log in to your steemit account.
It is highly recommended that you sign in to your steemit account with your posting “private” key. Click on the “Show Private Key” Button and the private key normally starts with 5Kxxxx (52 characters).
Click on the buttons as shown in red box to show the "private" key
See the instant changes on the characters
Active Key:
Use this key ONLY when you need to confirm financial transaction or trades and to change user settings such as; transferring steem or sbd out of your account and into your savings, changing your profile picture and powering up and down steem.
Owner Key:
This is your master key (that you got when you first signed up), the most important and highest privileged key as it literally gives full control over your account. It is meant to be used only if necessary or otherwise it should be kept somewhere that nobody knows and safeguarded against loss.
Memo Key:
Use this key to handle private messages and encrypted transaction memos. Based on my reading from other sources, this key doesn’t really do anything just yet so it can be ignored for the time being.
Securing your passwords
Keeping and securing your steemit keys/password is very important. Secure all your password especially the owner key somewhere no one will find it.
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The easiest way to secure your keys/passwords is to remove it from all electronic devices. Write the passwords on a piece of paper, laminate it and put them into your safe box.
You may also use LASTPASS password management service to secure your passwords in private account.
LastPass is a freemium password management service that stores encrypted passwords in private accounts. LastPass is standard with a web interface, but also includes plugins for many web browsers and apps for many smartphones.
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Important Notes:
Treat your Steemit Keys just like your ATM Pin or Credit Card Pin. Do not share your keys/passwords with others and do not send your password through email.
If you have accidentally revealed or disclosed any of your keys, go to your "password" page and change your owner key as soon as possible. This action will automatically change all other 3 keys and you need to record these new keys/passwords from the "permission page"
Most importantly, Do Not Lose Your Owner Key! Your steemit account involves money, so the last thing you want is losing this Key/Password to hackers and give them full control of your account, change everything in your account & restrict you from accessing your funds.
If you have yet to use your posting key to log into your steemit account, please do so immediately and again, DO NOT LOSE YOUR OWNER KEY!
Xoxo,
@connie1018
