Topic: Protect Your Earned cryptocurrency : Tips on Security (Read 221 times)

With the rise of hacking, these tips on security could prove to be most valuable. Thank you!!!!

Nice documented, always follow these rules to protect yore hard earned cryptocurrency.
Because small mistake will loose your cryptocurrency.

I am using kaspersky and can i use windows defender both because when i add external device like pen drive it will require third party virus guard

Personally I did this with my old laptop. Works great, just takes a bit more time to execute a transaction but its perfect for long term hold: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.28990059

Cпacибo зa coвeты. Я пoкa тoлькo дoдyмaлacь дo нa USB-нaкoпитeля, нo тeпepь пpиcлyшaюcь к Baшим coвeтaм и пocлeдyю им.

Thank you for your great insights. I prefer hardware wallets mostly because the ease of use. Of course Encrypted offline usb drive or a computer provide the same functionality but many people find the encryption process difficult. Have a good day!

Great list!  Newbies should understand the different types of wallets and their security.  I’m a relative newbie myself and was initially confused about different types of wallets.  Now I understand a bit more and store my coins in a desktop wallet instead of online wallets.  Down the road I will also get a hardware wallet.  You need to own your private keys to really control your coins. 

That's a pretty good list, with a couple exceptions.


What makes a hardware wallet more secure than an offline USB drive or PC? I think you'll be hard-pressed to find experts that agree with that. Encrypted offline wallet.dat files are about as secure as it gets. I've been using Bitcoin since 2013, but I don't plan on using hardware wallets for a couple more years until I feel they're more hardened.


Agreed there. Third party antivirus brings more bad than good. Defender (Security Essentials on older Windows OS) and basic avoidance of social engineering is usually good enough to avoid malware.

Never knew about this. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge. Cheers mate.

All in all, good list. However:


I'd actually recommend simply using the out-of-the-box Windows Defender software instead of third party anti virus software.

Most actually open up more attack vectors than they close:
http://robert.ocallahan.org/2017/01/disable-your-antivirus-software-except.html

Many anti virus solutions basically MitM your https connection in a misguided effort to protect you:
https://www.securityweek.com/antivirus-software-has-negative-impact-https-security-researcher

Making sure to keep your operating system up-to-date is key. Luckily by default Windows pretty much forces its user to update on a regular basis. Good malware usually doesn't get caught by anti virus software anyway.

You have yourself a pretty nice guide. Now if people would just implement these the could save them self stress later.

I know these things have been said over and over in this forum as well. But still many people loose their hard earned assets to hackers and thieves. So here are some of the tips on Securing your wallets, accounts & passwords and private keys.

To-Do : Always do the following things if you want to be protected

1. Always use 2-factor authentication.
 Always use a hardware bound authentication app like Google authenticator. This is available on both Google Playstore     and Apple Appstore.
2.Use a good Anti-virus software.
 Use a reputed anti virus software such as Avira, Kaspersky etc and keep it updated to the latest update available. This can prevent viruses, trojans, keyloggers infecting your computer.
3. Use a complex an secure passwords or passphrase
 Most recommended way is to create a passphrase, since this is mandatory for all the accounts or wallets, create a passphrase that is secure and not easy to guess, and change it according to the account you are using.
4. Keep wallet files on multiple offline locations
 Always try to use a hardware wallet. It is the most secured way. If it is not an option you can use USB drive or Computer, but make sure not to connect the computer to internet.
5. Always keep original links to online wallets, exchange accounts Bookmarked
 Always keep them bookmarked and Always double check if its the correct site before logging your passwords. There are many phishing sites in the internet which are trying to steal your data.

Never-Do : Don't to the following if you want to be protected

1. Never send your private key, Passwords over the internet.
 Never, ever send your passwords or private keys on the internet. Don't email, upload to cloud storage services like dropboxor google drive, send via online messengers etc. These services can be hackable and it is a huge risk.
2. Never use the same password/passphrase on multiple accounts.
Always use a set string for the password/passphrase and change a part of that according to the site.
3. Never click the links that don't reveal their destination.
Don't click on the links that are shortened using link shorteners. (ex: goo.gl,bit.ly)
4. Never install or run executable (.exe) files from an untrusted source.
 Always check for lots of online reviews when installing or running such files and always do a virus scan on that first.
5. Never keep you passwords/privatekeys on computers without encryption.
 Always encrypt the passwords/privatekeys using a good encryptions software if you are keeping them in your computer.

I hope the above tips will be some help to you. Thanks and Have  a good day