Safety and security are key factors in the cryptocurrency space. It is essential to take cautious steps to protect yourself and your assets, especially with several hackers and cyber thieves looking over your shoulders. Here are five effective security tips that can help you achieve safe cryptocurrency transactions without falling victim to various scams and cyberattacks and prevent unauthorized access to your assets.
1. Use Strong Passwords
Your first step to having a secured cryptocurrency transaction is creating a secured password. Your crypto password must be unique, lengthy, hard to guess, and complex. The best passwords usually have a mix of upper case, lower case, figures, alphabets, and symbols. And if you cannot memorize these passwords, you should consider using a secured password manager. Also, it is best to avoid using the same or similar password across multiple sites.
2. Activate Two-Factor Security (2FA)
Activating two-factor security adds an extra layer of security to your cryptocurrency transactions. Therefore, it is vital to enable 2FA authentication anywhere and everywhere available. Using the two-factor security means you would be sent a unique one time password (OTP) each time you need to complete a transaction. Do not share this OTP with any third party or a stranger, regardless of why they request it.
3. Keep Your Seed Phrase Private
Crypto wallets usually have seed phrases that contain a unique combination of words. This seed phrase allows you to import your wallet and digital assets to a new device and recover your crypto coins in case you forget or lose your password. It is essential to keep this phrase safe because anyone who can access this phrase can easily import your asset to a new device, change the password, and even complete transactions. One way to keep your seed phrase is to memorize it or write it securely where no one can have access to it.
4. Avoid Ponzi Schemes
Ponzi schemes are common ways cybercriminals swindle unsuspecting crypto users of their assets. Many people float fake schemes that would require users to pay a certain amount to a central wallet for a speculated time with the hope of getting a significant return on the deposited amount. Most of these schemes are unsustainable and eventually collapse, with many members losing their assets. Also, some of these scheme owners hack users’ wallets and other online details by sending them vulnerable links and addresses.
5. Only Use Reliable Wallets and Exchange
Some scammers create fake but genuine-looking wallets and exchanges that are used to hack, gain unauthorized access to steal funds, and steal personal information. You will sometimes find ads on various popular search engines and social media platforms. Avoid clicking such links, filling in your personal information, and don’t fall for shady giveaways.
Conclusion
The responsibility of cybersecurity and securing your digital assets rests massively on you and how you handle your wallets and transactions. It is important to be vigilant, diligent with security measures, and careful with sensitive information. Hackers and scammers are going more on rampage especially in the crypto space. However, the security tips above will save you from becoming a victim.