Best Online Security Habits for Crypto Users
Cryptocurrency security doesn’t just start with choosing a secure wallet. Online safety is an entire process, which involves everything from your internet provider to the browser you choose to use.
To protect your cryptocurrency, always log into a private network and use a VPN. We also recommend using a browser that offers a wide range of privacy add-ons, like Firefox. Read on to learn more about the best online security habits for crypto users.
1. Only Utilize Private WIFI
It seems like every store and restaurant these days has a sign that says, “free Wi-Fi,” while this is great when you don’t have good service and need to read a digital menu, do not check any bank accounts or cryptocurrency accounts while on these open networks.
Unfortunately, the word free means easily hacked, and you never know when a malicious actor is also on the free network just waiting for someone to log in. Instead, only use the WIFI for the menu and don’t log into anything else until you are on a network you trust, which is password-protected.
2. Use a VPN
Even on a private network, like your home WIFI, there is still a chance a malicious actor could be attempting to intercept your communication or track your usage until they are able to do so. This is especially true for those who choose to use easy passwords for their home routers or keep the factory password instead of setting their own.
One of the only ways to ensure your internet usage is safe is by using a VPN, which adds an extra layer of protection to any queries your computer sends and keeps your online activity private.
3. Use a Private Browser
We aren’t just talking about opening your browser in private mode. Sadly, many internet browsers are built with trackers that mine data and send it back to investors. While this may not sound as dangerous as using a non-password-protected Wi-Fi, it can still give outsiders far too much information about your cryptocurrency holdings and more.
We recommend choosing your browser carefully. We recommend Firefox, which offers privacy add-ons like Privacy Badger and Ublock, which can help limit tracking. It also has a private mode, which we recommend anytime you are accessing bank accounts or cryptocurrency holdings.
4. Use 2FA
No matter what wallet or websites you choose to use, always enable 2FA. We live in a world where everything is connected. For example, you signed up with your crypto wallet using your email. Now, if you use 2FA for your wallet but not your email, there’s a chance someone could exploit that by logging into your email and using an email thread chain to log into your account.
Basically, crypto security is just good online security practices, but amplified. That means to protect your crypto security, you must work to protect your online presence as a whole, starting with something as simple as always using 2FA for all accounts.
5. Check Your Accounts Regularly/Set Alerts
Scammers almost always follow the same pattern, doing a small trial transaction before going for a larger one. This is due to account limits and alerts that many individuals have set for their accounts. We recommend always setting limits and alerts where possible, and setting them for the lowest amount possible, even if this means every transaction you process sends you an alert.
While this can sound annoying, this truly has saved us so many times from fraud and theft. This way, the moment there’s a transaction you don’t recognize; you can put a stop to it and lock down your accounts before it’s too late.
6. Never Click Email Links
This is another good habit to get into. Never click email links, no matter who they are from or where they appear to lead. Basically, if you get an email from your wallet that your account has been compromised, go to your browser and directly input the website you know and love, navigating as you always would to reach your account.
This protects you from most phishing and keylogger attacks, and again, is just a good habit to get into, even if you don’t own cryptocurrency yet.
7. Say Goodbye to Google
So many people have grown attached to Google, using their email service, search engine, and more. This was a calculated move on Google’s part, as now they have a massive data mine which can be leveraged by a variety of malicious actors at any given time.
We recommend using DuckDuckGo as a search engine, which will give you similar answers to Google without the tracking. We also recommend choosing private email and document storage options like Proton (which also has a VPN).
8. Lock Down Your Social Media
In recent years, the majority of cryptocurrency thefts have happened through social media, through social engineering scams. With these scams, someone may pretend to be someone you know, for the purpose of building trust or gathering enough information to hack your accounts.
For this reason, we recommend making it so you aren’t searchable on social media and ensuring you set all of your profiles to private. What’s more, is never give information like your passwords, social, or anything that could be an answer to a security question online. And if a friend you trust is asking you what your mother’s maiden name was, run.
Social criminals have become adept at overtaking accounts. This means if a friend messages you, asking for your phone number because they “forgot,” don’t give it to them, instead, call them and verify they actually forgot or got a new phone. Chances are, your friend didn’t lose their phone, just access to their social accounts.
Overall, online security for crypto users starts with general online security knowledge. Never use open WIFI, always use a VPN, and ensure 2FA is enabled. Choose a private browser, unique passwords, and never click on email links. Remember to also closely monitor your social accounts, and never overlook someone who starts acting suspicious, as they may have been hacked.
