What is a Keystore/JSON file? Can I Change my Password? (2024)

Keystore/JSON files are not a recommended way of accessing MyEtherWallet (MEW). For more information on other methods of access, check out our article on how to access a wallet.

Your Keystore/JSON file holds an encrypted version of your private key, which is simply your private key encoded into a cool, secret string of characters. Take, for example, the word ‘apple’. If you encrypted this word with a 4-character difference down the alphabet, it would look something like ‘dssoh’. At face value, you’d have no idea what ‘dssoh’ meant. However, if you gave someone this word and told them the way you encrypted it, they could then decode it back to the world ‘apple’! This is a very simplified version of how encryption works, but it gets the point across.

When you enter your password upon generation of your wallet, it takes your password and uses it to encrypt your Private Key into a Keystore/JSON file. The result is a file that looks a lot like gibberish if you open it, (which there is no reason to do, do not open your JSON file!). This file simply holds your encrypted private key within it, which is why you have to use your chosen password to unlock your wallet via this method. You cannot change your password without generating an entirely new Keystore/JSON file.

It’s important to note that the strength of your password is directly related to the integrity of your Keystore/JSON file. If you choose a weak password, and a hacker gets hold of your encrypted key, they can brute-force it until they discover what password you used. Pick a strong password for strong encryption!

To change your Keystore/JSON file + password:

As mentioned above, you cannot change your password without generating a completely new JSON file.

Step 1. Download and install our MEW Chrome Extension.

Step 2. In the extension, add a ‘new wallet’ by entering your private key.

  • This does not mean generating an entirely new wallet. It means to add your existing wallet as a ‘new wallet’ into the extension.

Step 3. Enter a strong password, and save the wallet.

  • This will be the new password for your JSON file, so choose wisely.

Step 4. Head to the ‘My Wallets’ area of the extension and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of your wallet, then click ‘View’.

Step 5. Enter in the password you just made.

Step 6. You will be taken to an area that shows your wallet’s information. You can download a new Keystore/JSON file from this area, and use that for future access.

After downloading the new Keystore/JSON file, you can choose to continue using our Chrome Extension, or go back to using regular MEW. However, since you’re using a Keystore/JSON file, we highly suggest learning how to use MEW offline, for the security of your information.

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What is a Keystore/JSON file? Can I Change my Password? (2024)

FAQs

Why is keystore file not recommended? ›

Keystore files can have their passwords brute-forced relatively easily, and Mnemonic phrases can be used directly in wallet interfaces to move assets. This is why we do not recommend using these types of wallets, but instead, use a wallet that keeps your key separate from the online world of peering eyes.

What is keystore JSON in trust wallet? ›

The Keystore is an encrypted version of your private key in JSON format. It is a fancy version of your private key that is protected by a password of your choosing.

How do I access a keystore file? ›

Accessing your Wallet

Open the MyCrypto desktop application. The "View & Send" tab will appear, click "Keystore File". Click "SELECT WALLET FILE" and navigate to your keystore file. Enter the password used to encrypt the file when the wallet was made.

Is keystore file safe? ›

You should definitely not give away your keystore file as it contains your encrypted private key. The only thing that can decrypt your private key is your password. However, one could perform a brute force algorithm on your keystore file in an attempt to crack your password and gain access to all your funds.

What is the default keystore password? ›

The default password for keystore is "changeit", from Java in general - applicable for both Oracle and AIX Java.

What is keystore file used for? ›

Keystores and truststores are repositories that contain cryptographic artifacts like certificates and private keys that are used for cryptographic protocols such as TLS. A keystore contains personal certificates, plus the corresponding private keys that are used to identify the owner of the certificate.

How to change a password on a JSON file? ›

You cannot change your password without generating an entirely new Keystore/JSON file.
...
To change your Keystore/JSON file + password:
  1. Download and install our MEW Chrome Extension.
  2. In the extension, add a 'new wallet' by entering your private key. ...
  3. Enter a strong password, and save the wallet.

What is JSON password? ›

JSON Password Manager is provided on an "as-is" basis and makes no warranties regarding the security of user data, and disclaims liability for damages resulting from using JSON Password Manager. If you are concerned about password security, it's always best to consult with a security professional.

What is keystore and password? ›

Keystore is a binary file that contains a set of private keys. Private key represents the entity to be identified with the app, such as a person or a company. So Keystore password is used to open a keystore and simple password is password of private entity stored in keystore file..!!

Can we get the password of keystore? ›

bin file in android studio itself. Search for ". storePassword" .. That's it you got your keystore password.

How do I find my keystore password? ›

From the logs: If you have your logs intact, then you can find the password in the Android Studio log files: Go to ~/Library/Logs -> AndroidStudio ->idea. log. 1 and search for "Pandroid. injected.

How do I change my keystore password? ›

Changing passwords for the server KeyStore
  1. Stop the server.
  2. Open a command-line window, and go to the app_data /conf directory.
  3. Change the server KeyStore password by using this command: keytool -storepasswd -new newpassword -keystore server.keystore -storepass changeit.

Does keystore have private key? ›

The SSL keystore contains a private key that is used to prove the authenticity of this SSL side to the other side of an SSL connection. The SSL truststore contains public key certificates of trusted parties.

What is inside a keystore file? ›

A keystore file contains one or more pairs of a private key and signed certificate for its corresponding public key. The keystore should be strongly protected with a password, and stored (either on the file system or elsewhere) so that it is accessible only to administrators.

When should I use keystore? ›

Keystore is used to store private key and identity certificates that a specific program should present to both parties (server or client) for verification. Truststore is used to store certificates from Certified Authorities (CA) that verify the certificate presented by the server in SSL connection.

Is keystore password important? ›

The JKS keystores are binary stores and its contents are encrypted using the password as a key. No one can access the contents without the password. The password is for protecting the contents of the store from illegitimate accesses and manipulation.

How to get keystore password from keystore file? ›

On the search box top right, type your Android app name or part of the app name. You will see the result line, if you had saved the password. Double click on it, check the show password checkbox, give your system password when asked, and it will show your keystore password.

Where are keystore files created? ›

To answer the question in the title, you create a keystore with the Java Keytool utility that comes with any standard JDK distribution and can be located at %JAVA_HOME%\bin . On Windows this would usually be C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin .

How do I unlock a JSON file? ›

Below is a list of tools that can open a JSON file on the Windows platform:
  1. Notepad.
  2. Notepad++
  3. Microsoft Notepad.
  4. Microsoft WordPad.
  5. Mozilla Firefox.
  6. File Viewer Plus.
  7. Altova XMLSpy.

Can you edit a JSON file? ›

You can use any text/code editor such as Notepad, Sublime Text, and others to open and edit JSON files. Alternatively, use an online editor to edit your JSON files.

Can we modify JSON file? ›

You can use the JSON text editor to easily modify, format, and validate your JSON files.

How do I find my JSON username and password? ›

Here you go : if(jsonString. indexOf('username') && jsonString. indexOf('password')) gives you -1 if it is not present, greater than -1 if present.

What is the purpose of a JSON? ›

JSON is perfect for storing temporary data. For example, temporary data can be user-generated data, such as a submitted form on a website. JSON can also be used as a data format for any programming language to provide a high level of interoperability.

What is JSON and why would I use it? ›

JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a standard text-based format for representing structured data based on JavaScript object syntax. It is commonly used for transmitting data in web applications (e.g., sending some data from the server to the client, so it can be displayed on a web page, or vice versa).

Is keystore password and key password the same? ›

The "keystore" and "key" passwords do not match, so it will throw an 'UnrecoverableKeyException' error.

How do I trust a certificate in keystore? ›

Installing a Certificate as a Trusted Certificate in the Java...
  1. Create a Java Trust Store File for the Server and Add a Server Certificate to the Java Trust Store File.
  2. Create a Java Trust Store File for the Client and Add a Client Certificate to the Java Trust Store File.

Is sharing keystore safe? ›

NO, never share your keystore in any way or form. You keystore does not need, nor should it be inside your apps assets. It is just for you to sign your release builds.

Should I use JKS or PKCS12? ›

The biggest difference between JKS and PKCS12 is that JKS is a format specific to Java, while PKCS12 is a standardized and language-neutral way of storing encrypted private keys and certificates.

What is the difference between keystore password and key password? ›

Keystore is a binary file that contains a set of private keys. Private key represents the entity to be identified with the app, such as a person or a company. So Keystore password is used to open a keystore and simple password is password of private entity stored in keystore file..!!

What is the difference between keystore key password and store password? ›

The -keypass option is used for "the password for the key" and the -storepass option is used for "a password for the keystore". Keypass is a password used to protect the private key of the generated key pair (except for RACF keystores). If password is not provided, the user is prompted for it.

How do I know if a certificate is installed in keystore? ›

To view the Java keystore, use the keytool command with the -list option, for example:
  1. On a Windows system, at the prompt, type: keytool -list -keystore "c:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre<version>\lib\security\cacerts.
  2. On a Linux system, at the prompt, type: keytool -list -keystore $JAVA_HOME/jre/lib/security/cacerts.

How do I update a certificate in keystore? ›

Following are the high level steps you need to follow to renew an expired certificate in a keystore.
  1. Step 1: Check the validity period of the certificate.
  2. Step 2: Generate a certificate signing request.
  3. Step 3: Import the new certificate to a keystore.
Mar 13, 2019

How do I know if my certificate is secure? ›

To check an SSL certificate on any website, all you need to do is follow two simple steps.
  1. First, check if the URL of the website begins with HTTPS, where S indicates it has an SSL certificate.
  2. Second, click on the padlock icon on the address bar to check all the detailed information related to the certificate.

How do I protect my keystore password? ›

To encrypt your keystore password with AES, perform the following steps.
  1. Set the JAVA_HOME variable. export JAVA_HOME= <install_dir> /jre/jre. set JAVA_HOME= <install_dir> \jre\jre.
  2. Run the following command. <install_dir> /wlp/bin/securityUtility encode --encoding=aes.

How do I create a keystore password? ›

Use the standard JDK keytool utility to generate and load a new key and a self-signed certificate.
  1. To create the key, type the following command: keytool -genkey -keystore keystore_file -keyalg RSA –alias machinename.
  2. When prompted, supply the certificate and password information.

Does JKS require password? ›

When importing CA (trusted root) certificates from the Java Key Store (JKS) that is shipped with the JVM, a password is required. This password appears as a prepopulated default in the user interface.

What is the default keystore password in Java? ›

Any Java developer knows that the default password for Java keystores is “changeit”.

What is the default keystore type? ›

jks file, the default keystore type is PKCS12. The following example shows a minimal SSL configuration. The default PKCS12 keystore is created in the resources/security directory as the key.

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