Just a friendly reminder, cold wallet vs hardware wallet, Windows malware

[Lucius]

~snip~
A fairly simple and quite safe way is indeed to use hardware such as laptops that you have or old laptops that are rarely used.
But if you don't have any device, or only a phone is used, using the Mobile App is also okay if you can keep your wallet secure and stay alert to all kinds of viruses and malware that I can infect.

Hot wallets on smartphones are in the opinion of many much more risky than desktop hot wallets due to the large number of malicious apps available in mobile stores, and it should be added that many use smartphones that no longer receive critical/security patches for the OS. This way of storing private keys is an option only if there is no other option.

[Rikafip]

Practically, you don't need any hardware wallet, what you need to have is a secured device, open source wallet and a good practice of using such wallet and device.

. You don't need, but it's the best solution for like 99.99% of the users.

In order to properly secure your crypto without a hardware wallet, you need to be tech savvy, and unfortunately majority of people aren't. But even if you are, hardware wallet is still the most convenient way to secure your crypto.

[PX-Z]

In order to properly secure your crypto without a hardware wallet, you need to be tech savvy, and unfortunately majority of people aren't. But even if you are, hardware wallet is still the most convenient way to secure your crypto.

It's not necessary to become tech savvy, especially using electrum when it has lots of tutorials online on how to do it, documentations and communities (Electrum sub board) are there to help.
Also, HW wallet are not convenient, especially if you regularly make transactions, when you need other device to send and need signing, it takes time before you can send actually, just like an airgapped. But for long term holding it's the most convenient way to use.

[Rikafip]

It's not necessary to become tech savvy, especially using electrum when it has lots of tutorials online on how to do it, documentations and communities (Electrum sub board) are there to help.

Using electrum is not a problem, but instead securing a computer where Electrum is installed. That part is a problem for many people, and unfortunately they find it out only after they get rekt.

[PX-Z]

It's not necessary to become tech savvy, especially using electrum when it has lots of tutorials online on how to do it, documentations and communities (Electrum sub board) are there to help.

Using electrum is not a problem, but instead securing a computer where Electrum is installed. That part is a problem for many people, and unfortunately they find it out only after they get rekt.

Now, it's a problem anyone need to tackle when having a desktop wallet not just tech savvy but also normal user. Keeping a computer secure, avoiding malware, and protecting wallet files are responsibilities that apply to everyone, regardless of their technical knowledge.

[Rikafip]

Keeping a computer secure, avoiding malware, and protecting wallet files are responsibilities that apply to everyone, regardless of their technical knowledge.

Of course they apply to everyone, but you need to be tech savvy in order to keep your computer safe to such degree that you are comfortable keeping large amounts of money on software wallets.

[Lucius]

Keeping a computer secure, avoiding malware, and protecting wallet files are responsibilities that apply to everyone, regardless of their technical knowledge.

Of course they apply to everyone, but you need to be tech savvy in order to keep your computer safe to such degree that you are comfortable keeping large amounts of money on software wallets.

All of this makes sense if you don't use Windows OS, otherwise you have the biggest spyware you can imagine that you use every day and that collects and stores all possible information, including those related to cryptocurrencies. This (for now) is not about security, but about privacy and data, which can obviously cause a lot of problems for any individual.

[taufik123]

Hot wallets on smartphones are in the opinion of many much more risky than desktop hot wallets due to the large number of malicious apps available in mobile stores, and it should be added that many use smartphones that no longer receive critical/security patches for the OS. This way of storing private keys is an option only if there is no other option.

Yes, the fact is, it is very vulnerable to mobile applications and there are many loopholes that can be exploited to spread malware.
But security also depends on the user though not completely, because some people who are already skeptical can also fall into the trap of phishing, malware and the like.

And for the update of the mobile operating system, it depends on the vendor of the mobile phone, if the flagship phone is quite expensive the update is also quite long,
but cheap mobile phones usually appear a lot of advertising applications and minimal security and updates that are not guaranteed in the long term.

[OcTradism]

Yes, the fact is, it is very vulnerable to mobile applications and there are many loopholes that can be exploited to spread malware.
But security also depends on the user though not completely, because some people who are already skeptical can also fall into the trap of phishing, malware and the like.

And for the update of the mobile operating system, it depends on the vendor of the mobile phone, if the flagship phone is quite expensive the update is also quite long,
but cheap mobile phones usually appear a lot of advertising applications and minimal security and updates that are not guaranteed in the long term.

Mobile phones have more risks than desktop computers or laptops in my opinion. Because on phones, we can use it too more carelessly, with touching, and the other people can more easily access or steal our phones too.

While with desktop computers or laptops, there is less possibility of losing these cumbersome devices to the others. In addition, I think I have less possibility of making mistakes on phones, and more likely use computers, laptops more carefully.

Learning about security, and have better practice is very good for everyone.
Security and Privacy Encyclopedia.

[taufik123]

-snip-
While with desktop computers or laptops, there is less possibility of losing these cumbersome devices to the others. In addition, I think I have less possibility of making mistakes on phones, and more likely use computers, laptops more carefully.

Learning about security, and have better practice is very good for everyone.
Security and Privacy Encyclopedia.

But actually, depending on the user themselves if they are not aware of various kinds of dangers that can be caused by mobile phones or computers, they will still be very vulnerable.
Computers are also full of pirated applications, and those who don't care about the security of their computer or desktop devices,
they will use pirated applications that have been injected with malware and other harmful viruses.

Whether it's a mobile phone or a computer, you must be equally vigilant, Scammers can be anywhere and can take advantage of every loophole that exists,
especially with the use of social engineering methods which are also very vulnerable for those who do not understand technology.

However, those who have installed a cold wallet or have a hardware wallet, should be concerned about the security of each device used.

[Cookdata]

Mobile phones have more risks than desktop computers or laptops in my opinion. Because on phones, we can use it too more carelessly, with touching, and the other people can more easily access or steal our phones too.

While with desktop computers or laptops, there is less possibility of losing these cumbersome devices to the others. In addition, I think I have less possibility of making mistakes on phones, and more likely use computers, laptops more carefully.

Learning about security, and have better practice is very good for everyone.
Security and Privacy Encyclopedia.

I will rather say Android phones are vulnerable and risky than other phones with Ios, I can't remember the last time I used android phone, not that they are bad and not that Ios is better because I don't like close source clients and applications but when it comes to app control, App store do a lot of work but it's not a guarantee anymore because they are now lazy but the experience in term of security control with apps is very high compare with play store. I think payment by developers to keep things on Ios is one of the reason why we have less vulnerability and malware, can't say the same for android.

Pc are somehow safe too but I think everything comes down to end user and I will start from the operating system down to what app and things you keep on your pc. I have a windows pc but I don't use any wallet with it while I used the other one with Linux, I feel safe using the OS than using windows I know nothing about how it was crack, better safe than sorry.

[Emjay24]

Practically, you don't need any hardware wallet, what you need to have is a secured device, open source wallet and a good practice of using such wallet and device.

. You don't need, but it's the best solution for like 99.99% of the users.

In order to properly secure your crypto without a hardware wallet, you need to be tech savvy, and unfortunately majority of people aren't. But even if you are, hardware wallet is still the most convenient way to secure your crypto.

Most Convenient and still safe I agree. Nothing still beats using open source non-custodial wallet in an air-gapped device. As long as it doesn't go online and is kept away from third party interference and seeds backed up offline and securely, you're fine and safe from social engineering of any sort.

If people who are not tech savvy can learn how to use hardware wallet, such people can put in just a little extra efforts to master using cold storage devices and then have watch only wallets in their hot devices, it's not as difficult as it is always advertised.