Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool
This guide will provide more information on what the Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool's goal is and how it works.
The software is developed to be used to both set up the backup for a customer's Wallet and to assist in recovering it. It provides security and proof of ownership when it comes to a user and a certain Wallet.
This Open Source Recovery Tool generates random complex passwords and secure RSA key pairs. It can also be used separately just for those purposes. The tool can be downloaded for Windows, Linux and MacOS from Crypto APIs official GitHub page here. For more information please read here.
The Open Source Recovery Tool basics
The tool will aid the process of backing up and later restoring your Crypto APIs Wallet. Creating the backup involves steps in the Crypto APIs Dashboard, as well. To start with the Open Source Recovery Tool:
1. Download the Open Source Recovery Tool. It will be available for download for Windows, Linux and MacOS.
2. Install the application on your machine and open it. Its primary menu to the left consists of four options:
2.1. Home - return to the Home screen which displays detailed information on how to use the Open Source Recovery Tool to complete a backup;
2.2. Generate Random Password - a functionality to assist users in coming up with random and complex passwords;
2.3. Generate RSA Key - by using a password of your choosing (or a randomly generated complex password from the previous option), you can generate an RSA key pair consisting of a public key and a private key encrypted with that initial password;
2.4. Recover Wallet - the option that will generate an xPriv key to help you recover your Wallet, only if the data provided is correct and matches the system information of what has been previously generated as passwords and files;
Use the Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool
To back up your Crypto APIs Wallet with the Open Source Recovery Tool you will need to go through the respective process in the Dashboard here. This would be to either create your Wallet and back it up then, or back up your already existing Wallet. Note that each Wallet can be backed up only once!
When you create a Wallet for the first time
When you create a new Wallet in Crypto APIs Dashboard for the first time, you will have the option to back it up on Step 2 (out of 3).
Note that backing up your new Wallet is not mandatory here. If you don't want to do that just yet, you can skip the "RSA Key" fields. The system will then just create the Wallet and give it the "Back up" option for you to complete later.
1. Log in to your Crypto APIs Dashboard, navigate to "My Master Wallets" and click to create a "New Master Wallet".
2. In the new window that opens up choose the type of Wallet you want.
3. When you reach Step 2, first set the name for the Wallet. The next two fields will require to fill in and repeat an RSA key. To generate it use the Open Source Recovery Tool:
4. Download and install the Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool. First, you will need a strong password. If you do not have such, you can generate one by navigating to "Generate Random Password".
5. When you select your password, you can go to the next step - to generate the RSA key pair. Enter the password in the available field and click to generate the RSA key pair.
You will need to keep that initial password safe as you will need it to be able to recover the Wallet later.
6. The Recovery tool will generate the RSA key pair - a public key and an encrypted private key. Use the public key back in the Dashboard to backup your new Wallet (Step 2 of 3 of creating your new Wallet).
You will need to keep the encrypted private key safe as you will need it to be able to recover the Wallet later.
7. Completing Step 2 leads to Step 3 and completing the process.
8. At that point the system will download a .ZIP containing two data files. One of them is a JSON with recovery data about the Wallet, the other one is a PDF file with instructions.
You will need to keep the JSON file safe as you will need it to be able to recover the Wallet later.
When you back up your already existing Wallet
If you have a Wallet already existing in your Crypto APIs Dashboard it will have a button to back it up next to it.
Note that each Wallet can be backed up only once!
1. Log in to your Crypto APIs Dashboard and navigate to "My Master Wallets".
2. Choose the Wallet you want to back up and click on the "Back up Wallet" button. At this step is where you need to generate and use an RSA key from the Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool.
3. Download and install the Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool. First, you will need a strong password. If you do not have such, you can generate one by navigating to "Generate Random Password".
4. When you have chosen your password, you can go to the next step - to generate the RSA key pair. Enter the password in the available field and click to generate the RSA key pair.
You will need to keep that initial password safe as you will need it to be able to recover the Wallet later.
6. The Recovery tool will generate the RSA key pair - a public key and an encrypted private key. Use the public key back in the Dashboard to backup your Wallet.
You will need to keep the encrypted private key safe as you will need it to be able to recover the Wallet later.
7. After you are done, you can complete the process.
8. At that point the system will download a .ZIP containing two data files. One of them is a JSON with recovery data about the Wallet, the other one is a PDF file with instructions.
Recover your Wallet with Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool
1. Make sure you have the Crypto APIs Open Source Recovery Tool installed on your machine from here.
2. Select the last option “Recover Wallet”.
3. You will need to use the data that was used during the initial backing up of the same Wallet you want to restore. You will need to provide the data recovery file (the JSON file), the RSA private key generated in the beginning in the RSA key pair, then the password used to generate the RSA key pair.
4. If all of the information is correct, the tool will display the Master Private key (xPriv) which can then be used to restore the Wallet.