Most of the wallet drains you hear about are usually through compromization of the device, for example clipboard malware which changes the address you copy and tried to paste. Some of the malware attacks needs the hacker to compromise your device first and it’s the reason why hot wallets are definitely not advisable for large and long term holders
Surely, clipboard malware has become very common; however, there are other ways to hack Bitcoin wallets apart from this malware. For example, the stealing of funds from Bitcoin wallets can take place with the help of fake software applications, phishing sites, or even malicious browser extensions.
This is why simply keeping your seed phrase safe is not enough. Even if an attacker never learns your seed phrase, they may still be able to manipulate what you see on your screen or trick you into signing a malicious transaction.
4. Do Linux users actually gain a meaningful security advantage?
1) Hacker or malware creator mostly target Windows users. But the advantage these days is reduced, because AI for coding makes it's easier for them to also target Linux and Mac OS users.
2) Most Linux distro give you freedom to custom the OS, so more advance users could make it more secure.
3) Some linux distro install and enable mandatory access control (such as AppArmor) by default, which limit what application could do.
Obviously none of them are that meaningful or helpful if the user still download and install/run any file on internet.
@ABCbits Thank you for providing such information.
Many people spend a lot of time comparing wallets, hardware wallets, operating systems, and backup methods, but they often overlook the biggest security factor: user behavior.
Although in the past Windows was the prime victim of malware due to having higher market share, this should not be taken by Linux or Mac OS users as a guarantee of safety. With the rapid development of coding techniques assisted by AI technology, writing malware for several operating systems is easier and faster than ever.
Linux does provide some advantages. Many distributions include security features such as
AppArmor, SELinux, sandboxing, and stricter permission controls. Advanced users can further harden their systems by disabling unnecessary services, using separate user accounts, and keeping software updated.
However, the operating system is only one layer of security. If a user downloads a fake wallet, installs a malicious browser extension, runs an unknown script, or enters a seed phrase into a phishing website, neither Linux, macOS, nor Windows can fully protect them.
If they were more aware of these issues.•
Verifying wallet software signatures before installation.•
Keeping the operating system and applications updated.•
Avoiding browser extensions that are not absolutely necessary.•
Using hardware wallets for significant amounts.•
Treating every file, link, and website as potentially hostile until verified.Obviously none of them are that meaningful or helpful if the user still download and install/run any file on internet.
Most Bitcoin heists that have been carried out successfully today happen when people voluntarily give access to their accounts due to a form of deception rather than through any hacking of contemporary cryptography.
