How To Protect Your Crypto Wallet From Malware
The popularity of cryptocurrencies has propelled crypto wallets and exchanges into the limelight. Unfortunately, the high valuations for digital currencies have caused hackers and scammers to target crypto wallets and their owners regularly.
From social engineering to outright hack attacks, the risks faced by crypto enthusiasts are growing exponentially day by day. To make sure you are using one of the safest crypto wallets here are some things you need to know to avoid malware.
6 Ways to Stay Safe From Malware
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Use a cold wallet
Investing in a cold wallet is one of the most effective ways of protecting your holdings from malware. Cold wallets store your tokens offline, providing an added security element from malware and hackers.
But keep in mind that a cold wallet connected to an infected computer can still be compromised by malware. This is why you should only use your cold wallet with a computer that is 100% safe from viruses.
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Ensure that 2FA authentication is enabled
2FA or two-factor authentication is a security measure that requires you to furnish additional security credentials to log in to your device.
If a hacker manages to use malware to steal your login details, they still cannot gain access to your crypto wallet without your mobile phone. Most reputable hot wallets nowadays come with 2FA authentication, so be sure to have it enabled.
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Never use public wifi
Although public wifi sounds like a great deal, you should never use it. This is because public wifi is the favorite hunting ground for hackers looking to infect unsuspecting victims with malware.
From there, these malicious applications can be used to steal sensitive information, spy on you, or even compromise any of your crypto wallets. Besides that, hackers can use public wifi to perform man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept any data being streamed.
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Avoid questionable websites
Another easy way to protect your crypto wallet from malware is by avoiding any questionable websites. Oftentimes, sites that offer torrents or adult content tend to be loaded with malware and nasty viruses.
This is why I highly recommend that you never visit these sites. If you do, keep to more reputable sites where possible and don’t access your crypto wallet on said machine. And finally, don’t download any strange files from said websites because the chances are good that it’s probably infected with something that can harm your PC.
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Install antivirus software
Good antivirus software can warn you if malware has compromised your PC. It also allows you to scan attachments, emails, and directories on your PC for malicious software. This provides you with a measure of added protection from hackers looking to get their hands on your cryptocurrencies.
Besides that, you should also regularly perform virus and malware scans on your PC once a month. So that way, you can rest easy knowing that your device is free from harmful software.
Other measures to protect yourself include installing dedicated spy- and malware scanning software on your PC. These run automatically in the background and will alert you if any malware is detected.
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Don’t get scammed or phished
The easiest way to avoid compromising your crypto wallet’s security is by avoiding scams and phishing schemes entirely.
Hackers often rely on the greed and loneliness of their victims to cheat them successfully. So, always ignore emails from open sources and avoid “get rich quick” schemes at all costs. As a rule of thumb, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
And remember: banks or crypto wallets will never ask you for your login details, nor will they ever ask you to transfer your funds to them.
To conclude, the crypto ecosystem is a volatile one with its fair share of risks. However, you can avoid most of them if you follow the above-mentioned steps.
