Security 101

Why Crypto Security Matters More Than Bank Security

In traditional banking, if someone steals your credit card or hacks your account, the bank can reverse the transaction and restore your funds. In crypto, there is no bank, no customer service, and no chargebacks. If someone gains access to your private key or seed phrase, your funds are gone permanently — no institution can reverse a blockchain transaction. This is why personal security is the single most important skill in crypto.

Essential Security Steps for Everyone

1. Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) on every crypto account — use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy, never SMS-based 2FA (vulnerable to SIM swapping)
2. Write your seed phrase on paper and store it in a secure physical location — never take a photo, screenshot, or store it digitally
3. Use a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) for any holdings worth more than a few hundred dollars
4. Bookmark the official URLs of exchanges and dApps — phishing sites with nearly identical URLs are the most common attack
5. Never click links in crypto-related emails, DMs, or social media messages

Common Scams to Watch For

• Phishing websites — fake exchange or wallet sites that steal your login credentials
• Fake customer support — scammers posing as exchange support staff in Telegram, Discord, or Twitter DMs
• Too-good-to-be-true yields — any project promising 100%+ APY is almost certainly a scam or Ponzi scheme
• Airdrop scams — fake free token claims that ask you to connect your wallet and approve a malicious contract
• Romance/pig butchering scams — long-running social engineering where scammers build trust before directing victims to fake investment platforms