Seeking Real-Life Experiences on Bitcoin Security Measures

[Assiduous]

Recently, besides phishing attacks, scammers are probably trying to come up with new types of scams, or perhaps they have already developed new methods. This makes security even more important than ever.

I am very eager to learn about Bitcoin, and I have a question for the experienced members here.

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

I am interested in hearing practical advice and lessons based on your real-life experience.

I would greatly benefit if you could share your valuable experience with me. Thank you in advance for helping me.

[Cookdata]

Your post isn't technical, you have to move it to beginners and help board

Recently, besides phishing attacks, scammers are probably trying to come up with new types of scams, or perhaps they have already developed new methods. This makes security even more important than ever.

If you are trying to avoid scams and any form of phishing, you have to avoid anything that lead to them. First, don't keep valuable and sensitive information online like your private keys and seed phrase, they should be kept offline where nobody is going to have access, don't download anything you see online, your computer can get penetrated with a malware that can steal your private keys or seed phrase if you have software wallets.

Make sure you don't keep passwords online.

I am very eager to learn about Bitcoin, and I have a question for the experienced members here.

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

I am interested in hearing practical advice and lessons based on your real-life experience.

I would greatly benefit if you could share your valuable experience with me. Thank you in advance for helping me.

If you are ready to learn how Bitcoin work, there are many threads to begin with in Beginners and help discussion board, Learnmeabitcoin^[1]. You can also start some baby steps in running Bitcoin core node, it helps you understand how Bitcoin works, how transaction are sent and received by node and how they are relay to miners before they are included in the blocks, you get to understand more basic of Bitcoin if you also send and receive some transaction practically like you wanted.

1. https://learnmeabitcoin.com/

[TravelMug]

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

I am interested in hearing practical advice and lessons based on your real-life experience.

I would greatly benefit if you could share your valuable experience with me. Thank you in advance for helping me.

Air-gapped could be one of the best way to secure our BTC.

You can read it here: [Guide] Secure air-gapped crypto wallet storage method.

Or this following threads:

• [General] Bitcoin Wallets - Which, what, why? .
• Beginners & Help Encyclopedia .

[Rustam Meraj]

If you really want to stay safe with Bitcoin hardware wallet is best option for storing most of your money because you can save your private keys offline and safe from hackers.For daily use you can use software wallet on your phone but only store small amount on it.You can also use more advanced multisignature wallet which requires multiple keys to access your funds adding extra layer of security.Most important rule is to never share your private keys or seed phrase with anyone.You should also always be careful to avoid scams like phishing emails and fake websites.Ultimately since you are your own bank with Bitcoin smart thing is to use combination of these methods to keep your money secure.

[Lucius]

~snip~
How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?

The first thing (perhaps the most important), don't tell anyone that you invest in cryptocurrencies, because that way you will avoid the big risk of becoming a target - today thieves do not hesitate to kidnap people and force them to hand over their private keys.

Another thing, research which hardware wallet would suit you best and buy it, if possible for cash if you have a store that sells it, or order it at a PO Box to avoid giving out personal information.

Furthermore, always be careful when sending/receiving coins, check everything several times before confirming the transaction. If, in addition to all of the above, you store your backup/s securely, then you are pretty sure that you have minimized the risks to the minimum possible extent.

[rbynxx]

Recently, besides phishing attacks, scammers are probably trying to come up with new types of scams, or perhaps they have already developed new methods. This makes security even more important than ever.

I am very eager to learn about Bitcoin, and I have a question for the experienced members here.

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

I am interested in hearing practical advice and lessons based on your real-life experience.

I would greatly benefit if you could share your valuable experience with me. Thank you in advance for helping me.

Base on experience, using hardware wallets is the best option been attacked before by offering me a job and they requested to try their software, just hour ago they drained my wallet because the keys were scraped on my device as it was just lurking there, good thing not my main web or Metamask wallet. Ever since I really stick to using hardware wallets especially to assets I wanna hold long term.

It's definitely a wild west in here so be sure to stay vigilant, avoid links if you're not sure, verify everything before clicking, secure your keys offline, be low-key online. Just a couple of things I want to share to keep you safe, and there are other things but imo this are the major things to do.

[Helena Yu]

You have to separate between personal usage for your real life, personal usage for Bitcoin and business usage. If you mix personal usage for your real life and Bitcoin, you will get many emails related to cryptocurrency.

You also have to separate between social media for real life and Bitcoin, if you follow any account related to cryptocurrencies e.g. Bitcoin, CEX, news etc, you would received personal messages from strangers.

If you want to avoid phishing, my advice is to separate your real life and Bitcoin instead of mix it.

[xandry]

Recently, besides phishing attacks, scammers are probably trying to come up with new types of scams, or perhaps they have already developed new methods. This makes security even more important than ever.

I am very eager to learn about Bitcoin, and I have a question for the experienced members here.

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

I am interested in hearing practical advice and lessons based on your real-life experience.

I would greatly benefit if you could share your valuable experience with me. Thank you in advance for helping me.

Just like many years ago, I believe that the main vulnerability lies between the computer and the chair, meaning it all depends on the person themselves. Rather, the problem is widespread information security illiteracy and user laziness.

You have to separate between personal usage for your real life, personal usage for Bitcoin and business usage. If you mix personal usage for your real life and Bitcoin, you will get many emails related to cryptocurrency.

It's not a big deal to receive phishing emails if you have basic knowledge of how to distinguish them from the original, or at least be able to verify their authenticity.
For example, I regularly receive emails offering to receive a refund from the Celsius Network, despite the fact that I have already received it. It's not that difficult to click on the mouse button a couple of times and complain about phishing.

[PrivacyG]

Common sense is your best bet.

Use a Linux operating system.  Separate the device you are using cryptocurrencies on from the one you are doing the daily stuff on.  Do not log in to websites you do not know.  Do not download random files.  Do not trust what sounds way too good to be true.  Use an open source Hardware Wallet or preferably set up an airgapped wallet for the larger chunk of your holdings.

You do not want to have a wallpaper containing your credit card number and security code the same way you should not want your cryptocurrencies to be stored on a computer that may at some point become compromised and vulnerable.

[Hewlet]

I would greatly benefit if you could share your valuable experience with me. Thank you in advance for helping me.

Even if you are using an hardware wallet, there will come a time when you will make use of the normal exchanges and so while you learn how to secure your hardware wallet, also learn how to deal with the scams that have grown with the use of exchanges so you can help protect yourself from them when you are targeted.

The general attack that comes is either in the form of phishing attack or the ones where scammers try to get you into doubling your coin when you send then a certain quantity of that coin. such things do not exist and it is rare before you just get either bitcoin or an altcoin when you have not worked for it. just avoid every and anything that looks too good to be true, that way, you know that you are at least 70% safe from most of the common security threat in the space.

[dzungmobile]

Recently, besides phishing attacks, scammers are probably trying to come up with new types of scams, or perhaps they have already developed new methods. This makes security even more important than ever.

Security and privacy are biggest concerns with many people but if they want to have good security and privacy, they must learn first in order to have good knowledge then practice.
Bitcoin security resources.
Bitcoin privacy resources.
Cryptocurrency scambook.
Security checklist.

I am very eager to learn about Bitcoin, and I have a question for the experienced members here.

It's hard to believe you after seeing you got accusations of AI plagiarism.

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

Find resources to learn there
[Mega resources for newbies] Check here, find most of your need, before asking.

[Obim34]

Just like many years ago, I believe that the main vulnerability lies between the computer and the chair, meaning it all depends on the person themselves. Rather, the problem is widespread information security illiteracy and user laziness.

I agree with you, it lies between us and the way we ensure top-notch security measures, i consider ourselves to be the first authenticator of our wallet.

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

Use of hardware wallets or air-gapped devices as some users already listed doesn't make us invulnerable to attacks, if you fall for scam and your security is breached, you stand the chance of losing your Bitcoin.

My suggestion is always use a system that is basic to your understanding, like open source wallet and always store your phrase offline, if you are technical with wallet setups then you can extend to hardware wallets.

[Patikno]

Recently, besides phishing attacks, scammers are probably trying to come up with new types of scams, or perhaps they have already developed new methods. This makes security even more important than ever.

I am very eager to learn about Bitcoin, and I have a question for the experienced members here.

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

I am interested in hearing practical advice and lessons based on your real-life experience.

I would greatly benefit if you could share your valuable experience with me. Thank you in advance for helping me.

It is best to differentiate between the wallet you will use for frequent transactions and the wallet you will use for Bitcoin storage or perhaps compounding. This is to avoid unwanted incidents, such as hacking or phishing attacks. I personally do this, but I try to keep the wallet I use for Bitcoin storage rarely connected to the internet, and I also back it up offline. Well this may be still carries risks, but I believe it can minimize them, and the wallet I use for transactions is different, and I generally exercise caution when using it, for example, avoiding suspicious websites or anything that seems "Too Good to Be True", as scammers often use bait to lure potential victims. Therefore, you should also follow my method and some of the advice I provide to stay safe while using Bitcoin.

[AVE5]

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?
I mean, do you use multisig wallets, hardware wallets, or something more advanced?

1) Don't trust anyone with your seed phrase or wallet access keys. Optionally consider what happens to your bitcoin if you're no more via inevitability of life. Family or beneficiary could come in. The risk of trusting a third party with your security keys is always a threat nomatter the bonds.
2) Store your seed phrase offline in about 3 different secret locations that isn't linked to the internet nor reachable by anyone.
3) Self custodian hardware wallets for an advanced private security storage system is highly recommended to keep funds safe from online scammers and internet hackers.
4) Install cybersecurity software to enhance your safety from malicious softwares attacks. Also do well to avoid clicking links from unknown or suspecious sources.
5) And lastly, try as much to stay anonymous with your bitcoin from the public because you can be physically attacked and forced to reveal your private keys if informed your portfolio to the wrong people and they'll steal your funds.

[dzungmobile]

Or this following threads:

• Beginners & Help Encyclopedia .

You bookmarked this thread but forgot to check it and the drama of Ratimov.

Rather than his empty OP now, you can bookmark another one and use it for guiding newbies in the future.
[Mega resources for newbies] Check here, find most of your need, before asking.

Newbies can find many things for learning there but they can need to search for more resources, then they will need
[Guide] Searching effectively.

[Awaklara]

How can one stay the safest while using Bitcoin?

For the use of Bitcoin as a routine transaction, such as deposits to exchanges or gambling platforms, I use a wallet on my smartphone. The amounts are not large. But to hold Bitcoin in larger quantities for investment purposes, a hardware wallet is the best option.
I separate the two for security purposes. The less frequently you connect your wallet to online devices, I think it will be better. Scammers today adopt many ways to find victims. What we can do is to be careful and consistently keep updating information for our knowledge.

[Alone055]

I've personally never used any hardware wallet in my life for storing my Bitcoin, and honestly, I've never had any problems. I mostly use Electrum, and it works very well, even though I have never stored extremely large funds in it. If someone thinks they have a large amount, they should probably go with a safe hardware wallet, but security is not only about buying a hardware wallet and storing your Bitcoin in it; security is about keeping things as discreet as possible so that no one ever knows anything about these things, and then you will most probably be safe. No one needs to know about your Bitcoin, how much you have, when you started investing, etc. Discussing these things in a decentralized or anonymous forum like this is okay, but I'm talking about real life.

When you have your wallet set up, make sure you keep your seed phrase in a place where you know only you can access it, and that it will never go anywhere from there, no matter what happens. Now it's up to you to find such a place, whether online or a physical place, but a physical place will probably be better because online things usually don't last long, and they will most probably give access to someone else out there that you don't know about.

Lastly, don't use a device to store your Bitcoin or make transactions that you use for your daily activities.

[Sim_card]

In addition to what others have said above, you should not keep your bitcoin in an exchangel because they're vulnerable to hack. Have more than one wallet and split your funds so that if one of your wallet is compromised, you will not lose all your asset. Beware of dust transaction and freeze it before sending out coins from your wallet.

[khaled0111]

For long-term storage, use a hardware wallet or keep your coins in an offline wallet. There are many topics that explain how to properly set up one and how to keep it safe.
For day-to-day usage, better use a hardware wallet. But if you can’t afford to buy one, then just use one of the reputable wallet apps and keep on it only the coins you intend to spend. The most important thing is to back up your wallet seed and keep it secure. If you lose your wallet seed, you lose access to your coins. There are also many topics that explain how to do this. Just use the forum’s search engine to find those topics.

[Potato Chips]

For the most part, just a hardware wallet and trying to err on the side of caution as much as possible because a lot of times, you just need to asses the risk to know your next move.

You can certainly attempt a more advanced setup, but make sure you fully know what you're doing, otherwise it could backfire real bad—I believe your setup should be in-line with your understanding. Try to do with a test wallet first if you wanna attempt anything else.