Disclaimer: I am no crypto safety expert and this post is aimed at people newer to crypto who may not know this.
- Use a hardware wallet. A hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your cryptocurrency offline. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to steal your funds. Some popular hardware wallets include the Ledger Nano S and Trezor.
- Beware of phishing attempts. Phishing attacks are a common way for hackers to steal your cryptocurrency. They will send you emails or text messages that look like they are from a legitimate source, such as an exchange or wallet provider. These emails or text messages will often contain a link that, when clicked, will take you to a fake website that looks like the real website. Once you enter your login credentials on the fake website, the hackers will steal them. To avoid phishing attacks, never click on links in emails or text messages from senders you don't know. Instead, go directly to the website of the exchange or wallet provider in question and log in from there.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Strong passwords are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all of your cryptocurrency accounts. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when you log in.
- Keep your software up to date. Exchanges and wallet providers regularly release software updates to patch security vulnerabilities. To protect your cryptocurrency, you should always keep your software up to date.
- Never share your private keys. Your private keys are the keys to your cryptocurrency. They should never be shared with anyone, not even customer support. If you lose your private keys, you will lose access to your cryptocurrency.
- Store your cryptocurrency offline. If you are not planning on using your cryptocurrency on a regular basis, you should store it offline. This means storing it on a hardware wallet or in a paper wallet. Hardware wallets and paper wallets are not connected to the internet, which makes them much more secure than storing your cryptocurrency on an exchange or in a hot wallet.
