# Costs & Warnings

Operating a Bitcoin full node incurs certain expenses and potential risks. This section delineates those factors to aid your decision on whether you can contribute to the network.

**Special Situations**

Specific groups including miners, businesses, and privacy-focused users depend on unique behaviors from the full nodes they employ. Consequently, they often operate their own full nodes with added safety measures. This document does not discuss those safety measures. It exclusively details the operation of a full node for the general support of the Bitcoin network.

If you require help configuring your full node for high-value and sensitive privacy tasks, seek assistance within the community. Conduct thorough research to ensure that those assisting you are ethical, reputable, and competent.

**Secure Your Wallet**

Running a full node to support the network and using its wallet to store your bitcoins is feasible and safe, provided you adopt necessary precautions, like with any Bitcoin wallet. For more information, refer to the wallet security page.

**Minimum Requirements**

To operate a Bitcoin Core full node, certain requirements must be met. Running a node on insufficient hardware may function, but likely with frequent issues. The following requirements ensure a functional, user-friendly node:

* Desktop or laptop with recent versions of Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux.
* 7 GB of free disk space with a minimum read/write speed of 100 MB/s.
* 2 GB of memory (RAM).
* A broadband internet connection with upload speeds of at least 400 kilobits (50 kilobytes) per second.
* An unmetered or high-upload limit connection, or a monitored connection to avoid exceeding upload limits. Full nodes on high-speed connections often use over 200 GB upload monthly. Download usage is around 20 GB a month, plus approximately an additional 340 GB the first time you start your node.
* Your full node should run for at least 6 hours a day for optimal performance. Continuous operation is ideal.

Ensure your operating system does not enter a low-power mode that could disrupt network traffic, often a default setting on laptops and Mac OS X devices.

**Potential Issues**

* **Legal Issues:** In some regions, Bitcoin use is either restricted or prohibited.
* **Bandwidth Limits:** Be wary of excess upload charges or connection termination due to overuse from certain Internet plans.
* **Anti-virus Interference:** Some anti-virus software may quarantine blockchain data, hindering Bitcoin Core operation. This issue primarily affects Windows computers.
* **Attack Vulnerability:** Bitcoin Core users may be targeted in attacks aimed at disrupting the Bitcoin network, potentially affecting other computer operations, including limiting available download bandwidth.
