to people who think that they do take security seriously, please it is time to do some revision, I am reading around and I see a shocking amount of hacks and fraud going on for the last couple of days.
so you may consider:
1- check if you have all security features that your exchange offers already activated.
2- make sure that you use one of the best antivirus programs on the computer you use to browse around and make sure it is up to date.
3- don't leave funds on exchanges, if you daily trade and you have leave any funds there, then make sure to use e-mail confirmations and that your e-mail also has 2FA.
4- make sure that you use only one phone/device which is not rooted, and do not install garbage bitcoin apps or any other app games/garbage.
5- use paper wallets for your long term investment and save them in a safe place.
6- keep the for-daily use coins on an offline computer, use Armory, sign offline transaction and broadcast them on an online pc.
7- use different passwords on all sites, make them complicated and long (capital letters small letters, numbers and special characters)
8- don't keep any track of your passwords, keys or anything else on your computer, do it the old fashion way, write on a paper and save it somewhere safe.
9- encrypt about anything, I would recommend you to encrypt your entire dist as well, if you use linux this option is offered when installing the system, if you use windows then try PGP whole disk encryption, I use it and I recommend it.
10- use avg anti virus on your phone/device, activate the relocation option, there is also an option to wipe-out the device by sending a SMS to your phone if lost or stolen.
11- never trust anyone with your BTC, if you cant control the address then you don't own the BTC, any non reputable, non regulated online service can go offline, and you will lose all your funds (the new term is Goxed)
12- dont click on links without being sure where they direct, you can simply put the mouse cursor on it without clicking and check the address bar if it is a legit link, deactivate automatic redirection in your browser so you cant be tricked.
13- don't open e-mails from unknown sources, especially don't open spam e-mail, if you have to do so, then make sure to not open any executable attachment or any .pif extension, judge any site asking you to install "java plugin" or a "flash player" if YouTube works for you than you don't need any flash player or additional extensions, you are being a victim of a phishing attempt.
14- don't install any opensource software if you don't know what the code does, if can review the code your self then don't install without verifying the signature, especially don't install wallets of the daily created scam coins, some might be created just to steal your coins.
these are just some of the safety practices I can think about now, any user is welcome to add anything I might have forgotten to this list.
One of these should be made for exchanges as well so that they know how to secure the btc in their care.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=492776.0;topicseen#11- never trust anyone with your BTC, if you cant control the address then you don't own the BTC, any non reputable, non regulated online service can go offline, and you will lose all your funds (the new term is Goxed)The part in red is a growing and pervasive fallacy.
When you place your coins in the care of another, particularly for any specific purpose set forth by either of you and acknowledged by the other, you don't lose ownership to the coins. You don't need an account, or terms of service, to make a donation.
When you place your money in the care of an exchange, they have a responsibility for the care of those funds, the responsibility is actually higher than what they have for their own funds, nevertheless you don't lose ownership, just like you don't lose parental rights when you take your kids to school.
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