Cryptocurrency Safety
Core Habits You Set Once (and Sleep Better)
8/18/20252 min read
My Cryptocurrency Safety: Core Habits You Set Once (and Sleep Better)
You don’t need to be “techy” to stay safe in crypto—you need a few once-and-done habits that protect you every day. Set these now, and future-you will thank you.
Core Safety Habits (Set These Once)
1) Account Security
Unique email just for exchanges and wallets.
Strong, unique password stored in a password manager.
2FA with an authenticator app (or a hardware key for extra protection).
Avoid SMS 2FA if possible—SIM swaps happen.
2) Device Hygiene
Update your phone/computer OS and apps regularly.
Install only from official app stores (no random APKs or browser plugins).
Lock screens and disable auto-fill of sensitive data on shared devices.
3) Link Discipline
Type URLs yourself and bookmark the correct sites.
Never click “support” links in DMs or comments.
If anyone asks for your seed phrase or to “remote into your device,” it’s a scam.
Seed Phrases: The Do’s and Don’ts
Do
Write on paper (legibly).
Store offline in two separate safe places (e.g., home + trusted offsite).
Consider a fire/water-resistant storage option.
Don’t
Don’t screenshot or photograph your seed phrase.
Don’t save to cloud drives or email.
Don’t share it—ever. Real support will never ask.
Pro tip: Do a tiny test restore with an empty wallet first. If you can restore it calmly, you’ll know what to do before moving real funds.
Seed Phrase & Self-Custody Guide
Step-by-step setup with photos.
Spotting Scams: The 12 Red Flags
Guaranteed returns or “no risk” language.
Fake airdrops asking you to connect and sign unknown transactions.
“Urgent” support DMs or unsolicited help.
Celebrity imposters or verified-looking fakes.
Copycat sites with nearly identical design/URL.
Too-good-to-be-true presales or mystery tokens.
“Verification” pages demanding seed phrase/private key.
QR-code scams or wallet-draining “approvals.”
Remote access requests (AnyDesk/TeamViewer).
“Send me 1, I’ll send 2 back” giveaways.
Fake recovery tools claiming they can unlock wallets.
Pressure & secrecy: “act now,” “don’t tell anyone.”
When in doubt: pause, breathe, and verify through official channels you typed yourself.
Phishing 101: A 4-Step Check
Sender — Is the email/domain exact (letter-for-letter)?
URL — Hover or long-press to preview; check for sneaky misspellings.
Spelling/format — Poor grammar, odd spacing, urgent tone = red flag.
Who benefits if I rush? If the answer is “not me,” close it.
If Something Goes Wrong
Act fast—minutes matter:
Revoke permissions (connected apps/sites) from your wallet/exchange settings.
Rotate API keys and change passwords (email, exchange, password manager).
Move remaining funds to a fresh wallet with a new seed phrase you just backed up.
Document everything (timestamps, addresses, screenshots of tx IDs).
Contact official support via links you typed yourself.
Hack Recovery Checklist (First 60 Minutes)
A printable, plain-English action plan.
Keep This Handy
Staying safe is mostly about habits and pauses: type URLs, verify, and never share your seed phrase. A calm moment now is cheaper than any fix later.
Stay two steps ahead.
Educational only. Not financial advice.