<p>Electrum: pulldown menu "wallet", "Priv keys", --> export. </p>

<p>The idea to hide priv keys is linked to the security of the system. If the privkey is immedeatly "visible/accessible", the risk of unwanted access (be it malware, be it other people) is high, as the knowledge of the key allows for access to your funds. So the majority of wallets hide the priv key behind some access logic. There are passwords and seeds as most common layers, to be able to open the wallet, and then find the priv key behind a menu.</p>

<p>Yes, generally these wallets are save to use. On the opposite side there are so called "online wallets", offered by some providers. These wallets usually don't give you access to your priv key, and as such you have to trust these companies, that they have stored the priv key correctly (and safe) for you.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-04T18:47:13.990Z
Can you elaborate a bit more? OP asked more questions about the safety of private keys as well.
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-04T09:45:19.893Z
2017-09-05T04:56:34.443Z
2017-09-05T04:56:34.443Z
pebwindkraft
<p>Why don't some bitcoin wallets give the private keys to its users? 
Is it safe to use these wallets? Is there any way for the users to know their private keys without the need to contact the wallets companies? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-02T19:16:03.147Z
could you provide example of these wallets? Sometimes the priv keys are hidden behind some submenus (bitcoin core, electrum, ...)
pebwindkraft
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-02T19:46:26.813Z
Thanx for replying,  I was thinking in Electrum.
Gamal Thomas
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-03T07:56:26.503Z
Electrum can export the private keys. Most of the web wallets can't.
MCCCS
<wallet><private-key><safety>
How can wallets users know their private keys?
Gamal Thomas
# How can wallets users know their private keys?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-02)

Why don't some bitcoin wallets give the private keys to its users?
Is it safe to use these wallets? Is there any way for the users to know their private keys without the need to contact the wallets companies?

**Tags:** wallet, private-key, safety

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: could you provide example of these wallets? Sometimes the priv keys are hidden behind some submenus (bitcoin core, electrum, ...)  
> **username_0**: Thanx for replying,  I was thinking in Electrum.  
> **username_2**: Electrum can export the private keys. Most of the web wallets can't.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-09-04. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

Electrum: pulldown menu "wallet", "Priv keys", --> export.

The idea to hide priv keys is linked to the security of the system. If the privkey is immedeatly "visible/accessible", the risk of unwanted access (be it malware, be it other people) is high, as the knowledge of the key allows for access to your funds. So the majority of wallets hide the priv key behind some access logic. There are passwords and seeds as most common layers, to be able to open the wallet, and then find the priv key behind a menu.

Yes, generally these wallets are save to use. On the opposite side there are so called "online wallets", offered by some providers. These wallets usually don't give you access to your priv key, and as such you have to trust these companies, that they have stored the priv key correctly (and safe) for you.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Can you elaborate a bit more? OP asked more questions about the safety of private keys as well.  

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