Securing yourcryptocurrencymight seem like a daunting task.
For the uninitiated, the learning curve includes hot and cold wallets, online exchanges and private keys.
And cryptocurrency is hard, though not impossible, to trace.
Once in, the hackers ransacked Poly for$600 million, though the funds werelater recovered.
“We can’t afford to forget about the human element,” Gunn says.
Here’s some advice from the experts on how to protect your digital assets.
Both Pezet and Gunn say cold wallets are the safest option available.
The private keys to your cold wallet can be stored on a gear, like a USB drive.
you’ve got the option to also print them out on paper and file them away.
Either way, an attacker can’t get at your cryptocurrency without them.
The downside of this storage method is that the responsibility for securing it falls solely on you.
If you lose the USB drive or misplace your file, you’re able to’t get your cryptocurrency.
But he urges everyone to properly secure those accounts to make them more difficult to crack.
It’s also smart to keep as little cryptocurrency as possible in hot wallets.
If your funds get stolen, there isn’t much you might do to get them back.
Gunn advises using multiple cold and hot wallets, each protected by its own unique password.
That way, if the worst does occur, you’re limiting the fallout.
We’re talking at least 12 random characters.
It’ll go a long way toward keeping you safe if your password is compromised.
There’s no way to tell if they’re infected with malware.
Similarly, confirm to take care of your devices.
Keep your antivirus software and operating systems up to date.
Always use a secure internet connection, preferably bolstered by aVPN, Gunn says.
Do your homework.Larger, more regulated exchanges are generally safer.
Be wary of emails that look like they’re coming from the company that holds your cryptocurrency wallet.
It could be a phishing email looking to steal your credentials and, ultimately, your funds.
