The New Crypto Wallet Standard

Generating a secure key requires an “as random as possible” source of data. One way to do this is by using the AirGap Vault device’s secure random generator with extra entropy. You can seed it, for example, with microphone and webcam data. Another way, which involves less technology (and thus feels more secure) is by using a dice. Once you have your hex key (on a piece of paper), you can use tools like the mnemonic code converter to convert it (only type in the secret into your air gapped machine for converting) in a more practical format.

The only technology your secret gets in touch with is the device with the AirGap Vault app, all the rest is public data. If the AirGap Vault device is compromised it could transmit the secret to the “outside world” (you wouldn’t believe how esotheric attacks for air gapped devices can get.. MALWARE LETS A DRONE STEAL DATA BY WATCHING A COMPUTER’S BLINKING LED).

No, not all the code. The only part you need to review is the part that is dealing with the secret, thus the AirGap Vault app. Every other bit deals only with public data and cannot harm you. We kept the AirGap Vault code as clean and as simple as possible to make reviewing easy. Furthermore, we have put a lot of effort into this project, and a breach of trust would mean the end of it. Our incentive is to be as transparent as possible.

This air gapped solution consists of 2 components:

1. The AirGap Wallet app, which is connected to the blockchain and deals only with public data
2. The AirGap Vault app, which is air gapped and deals with the secret bits

The AirGap Wallet app retrieves the required network information for a given address (nonce and gas price). This information is typed into the AirGap Vault app, which can create and sign the transaction. The signed transaction is later transferred (through QR code) to the AirGap Wallet app, which will broadcast the transaction.

AirGap is free and Open Source and will stay so. We currently rely on your generosity in form of donations to finance this initiative. Furthermore we will offer a AirGap Business version in the future.

We love crypto favorite Our ultimate goal is to make this amazing technology as usable and accessible for everyone without neglecting security. We truly believe this is the only way it can become mainstream but still remain distributed.

Between usability and security, there is always a trade-off. With this solution, we aim to be on the optimal line of that trade-off. In the future, we also plan to do the less secure approach of allowing both the AirGap Vault and the AirGap Wallet app to be installed on the same device, which is still more secure than only using one app. This solution is aimed to handle smaller amounts of crypto, usually the amount you’re ready to lose without any hassle.