Altcoins Talks - Cryptocurrency Forum

Learning & News => For Beginners => Basic Questions about Cryptos => Topic started by: CryptoBun on March 20, 2025, 10:45:32 AM

Title: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: CryptoBun on March 20, 2025, 10:45:32 AM
By now you should be aware of StilachiRAT malware that is targeting crypto wallets. I noticed there’s no discussion about it on the forum. So here are few tips to help avoid it.

1. You should avoid clicking on random links come across or downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected sources; it might be on your social media account or through emails.

2.  You should install and update the antivirus, you have on your PC.

3. I also heard VPN works but i haven’t tried it myself

4. You should turn off unnecessary remote access and also use a firewall to block fake connections.

5. Always check for emails that gives a sense of urgency to take a quick action.

6. Check if there isn’t an unsual activity in your PC

7. Also remember to scan for malware regularly on your computer

 This are some few tips that can help you to avoid this malware attack. If you also have any more to add, you can drop them.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: albon on March 20, 2025, 11:08:20 AM
In this crypto world, ensuring wallet security is essential for cryptocurrency users. Therefore, we should protect our private keys and use strong passwords. Also, 2FA, and following proper backup methods are very important. All the points you have raised are important but there are many more techniques that if followed will always keep your wallet safe. Personally I don't like to use vpb because using it requires giving device access which can be dangerous for you.

I used Kaspersky antivirus for my laptop in the past, but I lost quite a few important files. Besides, I use my personal gmail very seriously and always delete unnecessary gmail and do not enter the links there. I use extra disk to make my wallet more secure. The most secure way to use a hardware wallet is if you want.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Charles-Tim on March 20, 2025, 11:23:29 AM
If you know how to avoid malware, you will see the use of anti-virus as a waste of money. But that is if you learn how to avoid malware. Most people do not know how to avoid malware.

3. I also heard VPN works but i haven’t tried it myself
VPN can not be used to avoid malware. Only what you can mean is maybe malware is directed to specific IP. I mean specific countries. What if the VPN is set to the location the hackers targeted.

StilachiRAT is not yet used to target people en masse but it is good to avoid it. The recent Malware that people need to avoid right now is on Reddit which can be downloaded through a free version of TradingView (https://bitcointalk.org/index.phptopic=5535769.msg65187989#msg65187989) but which is from hackers and not TradingView.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: DYING_S0UL on March 20, 2025, 02:40:19 PM
If you know how to avoid malware, you will see the use of anti-virus as a waste of money. But that is if you learn how to avoid malware. Most people do not know how to avoid malware.

The recent Malware that people need to avoid right now is on Reddit which can be downloaded through a free version of TradingView (https://bitcointalk.org/index.phptopic=5535769.msg65187989#msg65187989) but which is from hackers and not TradingView.

That's why we should refrain from using cracked software if possible. And even if we do, we must separate our daily workspace from our financial workspaces, so that we don't suffer any economical damage.

If a person is not sure of it then he shouldn't install any unknown programs, even better don't think of downloading it. 99% of the times, whenever a person searches in google "cracked software_name year", they end up with viruses. We should only download things from the official sites or the sources we trust.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: CryptoBun on March 20, 2025, 02:45:41 PM
In this crypto world, ensuring wallet security is essential for cryptocurrency users. Therefore, we should protect our private keys and use strong passwords. Also, 2FA, and following proper backup methods are very important. All the points you have raised are important but there are many more techniques that if followed will always keep your wallet safe. Personally I don't like to use vpb because using it requires giving device access which can be dangerous for you.

I used Kaspersky antivirus for my laptop in the past, but I lost quite a few important files. Besides, I use my personal gmail very seriously and always delete unnecessary gmail and do not enter the links there. I use extra disk to make my wallet more secure. The most secure way to use a hardware wallet is if you want.

You are right..using strong passwords and 2FA is also important. So do you still use an antivirus ?
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: rdluffy on March 20, 2025, 03:18:16 PM
Most of us who have been dealing with cryptos for some time, who frequent the forum and make transactions regularly, end up paying more attention to security, even without using anti-virus or VPNs
But even so, I think it's worth using an antivirus or antimalware, even if it's free, it's extra protection
I always recommend using 2 extensions that help a lot for those who use DeFi a lot or who farm airdrops, which are wallet guard and revoke
https://www.walletguard.app/
https://revoke.cash/

Both warn you if you interact with a fake protocol or one that has a known exploit
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Sim_card on March 20, 2025, 06:14:22 PM
It's good not to put much funds on software wallet, because hackers can only taget online wallets theough malwares and many more. Cold storage wallets like hardware wallets and Electrum cold storage which you generate the private keys offline and never connect it to the internet is good. This will make you have rest of mind and only focus more on how to keep your private keys as save as possible.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: joniboini on March 20, 2025, 06:33:12 PM
5. Always check for emails that gives a sense of urgency to take a quick action.
Are you saying to check if some services report unauthorized access to your account? Based on my experience, the number of phishing e-mails I received saying I need to take urgent action is massive. Heck, I bet most of my spam e-mails are full of them. Instead of checking the tone of the e-mail, it's much better to verify the sender IMO. Some scammers managed to replicate official e-mail notices for some services that I used, some even went as far as tricking the e-mail provider with a similar sender name. If you're not careful you'll fall for their tricks.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Findingnemo on March 20, 2025, 09:15:41 PM
Some malware can be completely stealth so there's no way of finding them with the usual way and it can't even be removed when we found them because the only way is to flash the system. Use the official software and never ever download the pirated contents that obviously bundles some malware with it.

Along with it, you can also use Malwarebytes which is good compared to the usual anti virus.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Z-tight on March 20, 2025, 10:42:53 PM
Take note that anything online is prone to hacking, so the best way to avoid being a victim of malware and other online attacks is to store your BTC in cold storage, that way you know it is in a device that is not connected to the internet. It is very recommended to use an airgapped wallet if you have the knowledge to set it up in a safe environment.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Hatchy on March 20, 2025, 11:47:32 PM
To sum it up, I'll say the best way to avoid being a victim of these malware is to have a separate device for scrolling the internet and that for storing your crypto if you use a hot wallet. There a re so many things that gets into our devices daily without our consent. These unauthorized programs steals our data and send them to hackers. So it's better to just have a separate device and stay safe.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: ABCbits on March 21, 2025, 10:50:48 AM
Those 7 tips actually are tips to secure PC in general.

3. I also heard VPN works but i haven’t tried it myself
VPN can not be used to avoid malware. Only what you can mean is maybe malware is directed to specific IP. I mean specific countries. What if the VPN is set to the location the hackers targeted.

I think OP refer to either,
1. One of VPN feature which block known malware website/IP address.
2. VPN which include or bundled with antivirus/antimalware.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: albon on March 21, 2025, 11:20:21 AM
In this crypto world, ensuring wallet security is essential for cryptocurrency users. Therefore, we should protect our private keys and use strong passwords. Also, 2FA, and following proper backup methods are very important. All the points you have raised are important but there are many more techniques that if followed will always keep your wallet safe. Personally I don't like to use vpb because using it requires giving device access which can be dangerous for you.

I used Kaspersky antivirus for my laptop in the past, but I lost quite a few important files. Besides, I use my personal gmail very seriously and always delete unnecessary gmail and do not enter the links there. I use extra disk to make my wallet more secure. The most secure way to use a hardware wallet is if you want.

You are right..using strong passwords and 2FA is also important. So do you still use an antivirus ?
No, i don't use any kind of antivirus now because I lost many important documents due to an antivirus. In fact I use a separate device for my crypto wallet so that it is 100% secure. No one can scam you directly, so scammers use different lures and different strategies to get your information. If you only go with your own experience in crypto and don't trust anyone easily, then no one will be able to scam you.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Rruchi man on March 21, 2025, 09:20:42 PM
This are some few tips that can help you to avoid this malware attack. If you also have any more to add, you can drop them.
If you can afford to, and as an investor, the best place to store your bitcoin is not on any online wallet but on a cold wallet. It totally eliminates the chances of a malware or virus.

If you cannot afford it yet, plan and safe towards it.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Z-tight on March 22, 2025, 10:42:39 PM
So it's better to just have a separate device and stay safe.
Take note that it is not simply about having a separate wallet, the wallet has to be airgapped, because even if you have a separate wallet that you only use to store BTC and nothing else, but it is online, then it is still very risky. If the wallet is airgapped, then it is safe if you also have good opsec too.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Crypto Library on March 22, 2025, 10:48:45 PM
Take note that it is not simply about having a separate wallet, the wallet has to be airgapped, because even if you have a separate wallet that you only use to store BTC and nothing else, but it is online, then it is still very risky. If the wallet is airgapped, then it is safe if you also have good opsec too.
You are right it is always better to use air gapped devices I mean the hardware wallet for holding the big fund.  But if the user can't afford that or can't able to purchase hardware wallet for holding or get more security then I think there is no other way to use and separate wallet.
Like me in my country the crypto and it's all kinds of device are currently bann and for that I can't import any hard ware. So I used to choose an separate wallet for that. Like in the first I created and wallet then I remove from my all kinds of device that and store the private phrase in a secured place.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: SamReomo on March 22, 2025, 10:59:48 PM
You are right it is always better to use air gapped devices I mean the hardware wallet for holding the big fund.  But if the user can't afford that or can't able to purchase hardware wallet for holding or get more security then I think there is no other way to use and separate wallet.
Well, there's no need of hardware wallet when your intention is to store your Bitcoin and other crypto on an air gapped device. These days the used hardware are quite cheap in value and those can be used as air gapped device and their cost is low as compare to hardware wallets.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: taufik123 on March 23, 2025, 05:02:14 PM
I am more vigilant and careful about what I will open and install on the device I use as a digital wallet.
Because it all starts with the user and if the user is careless enough then the security of any wallet will be useless.

But it is better to use a hardware wallet and it is a recommendation for everyone to store their main assets offline and it is certainly more secure than a digital wallet on your mobile device or computer. Just need to store the seed phrase safely and make sure the storage medium is strong enough for all sorts of damage.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Z-tight on March 23, 2025, 05:04:38 PM
These days the used hardware are quite cheap in value and those can be used as air gapped device and their cost is low as compare to hardware wallets.
Hardware wallets are not expensive too, but with an airgapped wallet all you need is an old device and the skill to set it up. I always recommend to newbies that they should use hardware wallets, because they may not have the skill to set up their airgapped wallet in a safe environment.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: vegasus on March 23, 2025, 11:03:22 PM
1. Clearly no, because the phishing link works very fast and dangerous. And here, I personally am very preventive against all kinds of links in emails or other platforms. Prevention is better than cure, there have been many examples of experiences from others, and that's enough, without having to experience it yourself.

3. I'm using it, because I sometimes cannot access some certain platforms. but ensure that it's paid one, and stay to be careful, every V{N must have also the risks, so, be careful of using it, too.

 
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Alone055 on March 24, 2025, 12:28:57 AM
I am more vigilant and careful about what I will open and install on the device I use as a digital wallet.
Because it all starts with the user and if the user is careless enough then the security of any wallet will be useless.

Exactly, it's all about the user who isn't vigilant about the threats posed at them if they are storing their assets in the device that they use normally. I mean, if I know that I have large funds invested in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, and that I'm planning to hold them for long-term, I shouldn't store them in a device that I'm using for every normal thing such as playing games, using social media, or even downloading apps from the internet.

If someone wants to store their funds in a device using a non-custodial wallet such as Electrum instead of using a hardware wallet, they need to make sure that they are having a separate device for that purpose so that it stays clean from everything and the assets stay safe.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: TomPluz on March 24, 2025, 04:17:01 AM
StilachiRAT is not yet used to target people en masse but it is good to avoid it. The recent Malware that people need to avoid right now is on Reddit which can be downloaded through a free version of TradingView (https://bitcointalk.org/index.phptopic=5535769.msg65187989#msg65187989) but which is from hackers and not TradingView.

One thing for sure: hackers and scammers are using their genius, skills, technology, resources and ingenuity to make big money by attacking people 24/7 and they are really successful on what they do. Now, we should really be careful these days especially for people who are involved with cryptocurrency as they know that once they can break through then we are done. I used to be getting emails telling me that someone is about to transfer some Bitcoin to my account and I need to click a link to confirm the transaction...but since am already aware of this scheme I just blocked and delete them. It is so important that we avoid free cracked version of premium software or programs as they can be trojan horse out to destroy us and take away our digital assets.

Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: DYING_S0UL on March 24, 2025, 06:53:59 AM
StilachiRAT is not yet used to target people en masse but it is good to avoid it. The recent Malware that people need to avoid right now is on Reddit which can be downloaded through a free version of TradingView (https://bitcointalk.org/index.phptopic=5535769.msg65187989#msg65187989) but which is from hackers and not TradingView.

We should always refrain from using mod/cracked apps from unknown sources even thought I am using one, lol. That is why I have separated my devices for different works. One is for overall everything where I am using cracked software like the Adobe ones (it's expensive, I can't buy it), where no wallet or anything related crypto finance is being used. And the other one is for crypto only. This way I can slim out my chances of getting compromised and suffering loses. The funny thing is, I got compromised twice with the non financial device (ransomware malware), but since nothing was there I just erased my harddisk. My second device is an old one, and I don't install any apps there apart from my wallet and related stuff...

Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: bayu7adi on March 24, 2025, 07:54:14 AM
If all the problems mentioned by OP on the first page are related to PC, why don't we just keep our seed or private key away from PC.. we can write it manually, write it once for life... then store it in a safe place that is difficult for ordinary people to reach.... I think we don't need to be afraid of malware anymore...

If the purpose is only to check the balance, then we can use mempool or other blockchain explorers, and if the concern is when making transactions, then Trezor is the solution...

Trezor + storing private keys offline, is strong enough to make our assets safer than storing seeds/private keys on PC.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Charles-Tim on March 24, 2025, 08:28:48 AM
If all the problems mentioned by OP on the first page are related to PC, why don't we just keep our seed or private key away from PC.. we can write it manually, write it once for life... then store it in a safe place that is difficult for ordinary people to reach.... I think we don't need to be afraid of malware anymore...
I also like to extend my seed phrase with passphrase in case of offline attack.

Be afraid of malware and avoid it if that is only what you posted. Read more about how to avoid malware.

Not backup your seed phrase on your device is just one of what you should do but there are many more. Malware can still compromise your wallet even if the seed phrase is not on your device. Make sure you do not download malware. Prevention is better than cure.

and if the concern is when making transactions, then Trezor is the solution...
What do you mean by this?

There are safe wallets called cold wallets. Also hardware wallets are safe but if they are reputed. I prefer wallet on airgapped device and paper wallet generated on airgapped device than any other wallet.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Hatchy on March 24, 2025, 01:38:40 PM
Quote from: Crypto Library
   Like in the first I created and wallet then I remove from my all kinds of device that and store the private phrase in a secured place.
Some people might consider sneaking some hardware wallets into the country even if crypto is banned. Though I'm not advising on that. Since you can't use the hardwares wallet, it's better to either create an air gapped wallet and store your funds offline.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Forsyth Jones on March 24, 2025, 11:19:47 PM
I haven't used an antivirus on my Windows for 7 or 8 years, I only got a bitcoin stealer hijacking (https://www.halborn.com/blog/post/clipper-malware-how-hackers-steal-crypto-with-clipboard-hijacking) virus once, which resulted in the loss of some funds (an irrelevant amount at the time), after that, I researched web security and never gotten a virus or malware again, nor have I been robbed.

If you understand about security, technically you don't need an antivirus, you should be your antivirus, and I believe that Microsoft Defender, which is free, already does a great job.

What we can do is create a good firewall, does anyone have any tips on how to configure a good firewall?

Important reminder: keeping most of your funds on an air-gapped offline computer or in a hardware wallet like Trezoror Bitbox significantly reduces the chances of malware and any remote attack.

Thanks for this awesome warning thread.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Aanuoluwatofunmi on March 25, 2025, 06:21:57 PM
Many users don't know how to differentiate between the types of wallets and to also know about how the security of this wallets is expected to be practiced, this is as a matter of urgency the most important consideration which we can always determine to learn and be aware of right before making an investment, because such is our first security, we should know the security practice and also maintain privacy in using our desired wallet which should be mostly a non custodial wallet.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: taufik123 on March 25, 2025, 10:56:51 PM
If someone wants to store their funds in a device using a non-custodial wallet such as Electrum instead of using a hardware wallet, they need to make sure that they are having a separate device for that purpose so that it stays clean from everything and the assets stay safe.
The use of a hardware wallet will certainly provide security in all aspects as long as the hardware wallet is not hacked or uses the private key that you store, whoever owns the Private Key is the owner.
That's why before using a hardware wallet, store the 12-24 word Seed Phrase in the safest place and make sure it's resistant to all kinds of damage.

Any attack if using a hardware wallet is safe enough, hacking methods on other wallets will not work on hardware wallets.
I've been using a hardware wallet since 5 years ago, so I know how secure it is until now.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: ZAINmalik75 on March 26, 2025, 10:54:22 PM
By now you should be aware of StilachiRAT malware that is targeting crypto wallets. I noticed there’s no discussion about it on the forum. So here are few tips to help avoid it.

1. You should avoid clicking on random links come across or downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected sources; it might be on your social media account or through emails.

2.  You should install and update the antivirus, you have on your PC.

3. I also heard VPN works but i haven’t tried it myself

4. You should turn off unnecessary remote access and also use a firewall to block fake connections.

5. Always check for emails that gives a sense of urgency to take a quick action.

6. Check if there isn’t an unsual activity in your PC

7. Also remember to scan for malware regularly on your computer

 This are some few tips that can help you to avoid this malware attack. If you also have any more to add, you can drop them.
Never heard the word before but aware of the way of how hacking works, it all starts by clicking on a link or downloading some pdfs or attachments. Now a days people are using very old fashioned techniques to scam others, they create fake girl ids on social media and send you a pm and says, this link is my friend's profile, she is very introverted and did not want to directly connect with you so she asked me, can you give her a hi. This is how they start their message.

We all must have received such exciting messages, but we should never take them seriously. Normally the unusal behaviour of PC is when some windows opens and closes quickly when you power on your pc so keep an eye on that, and take proper actions.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: PX-Z on March 26, 2025, 11:44:53 PM
For someone who doesn't jave any anti-virus installed on PC aside from default Defender, and never get hacked on any of my wallets. I only suggest to avoid downloading files from unknown sources, and avoid clicking suspicious links especially those shortened url, some malicious urls are masked by these short urls.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Kemarit on March 27, 2025, 01:09:05 AM
For someone who doesn't jave any anti-virus installed on PC aside from default Defender, and never get hacked on any of my wallets. I only suggest to avoid downloading files from unknown sources, and avoid clicking suspicious links especially those shortened url, some malicious urls are masked by these short urls.

Much better to still invest on a good anti-virus + Windows defender. But I do agree that shortened url are also very dangerous as obviously they are masking the real url. So it could be a malicious site and before you know it, you are already trap.

So it's really our duty to be on the look out of any kind of attacks and we should be made self-aware of the modus of cyber criminals. As everything might look nothing, but inside of that file, there are malware to steal our crypto assets.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: joniboini on March 27, 2025, 01:22:17 AM
Normally the unusal behaviour of PC is when some windows opens and closes quickly when you power on your pc so keep an eye on that, and take proper actions.
From some malware news I've read in the past few weeks or so, I don't think I've seen a start-up window being present as a sign that a PC is infected. Most of them run in the background without any visible sign, except your computer feeling slow. I guess that shows how advanced the attack has become, and you'll probably find it easier to prevent yourself from opening one instead of cleaning it. That being said, I check my PC start-up schedule once in a while to see if some random apps have been added.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Crypto Library on March 27, 2025, 07:57:50 PM
Some people might consider sneaking some hardware wallets into the country even if crypto is banned. Though I'm not advising on that. Since you can't use the hardwares wallet, it's better to either create an air gapped wallet and store your funds offline.
I think the only way to import crypto-related hardware in countries like ours is to illegally import it from outside through someone you trust, which is very risky. And to be honest, I am a cryptocurrency guy and in this case, I never support third party hardware wallet imports.
Because people use hardware wallets only for holding large funds, and if third-party wallets are imported here and something is already systemized there, then I don't think there will be any benefit from using that type of hardware wallet.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: PX-Z on March 28, 2025, 12:45:55 AM
Much better to still invest on a good anti-virus + Windows defender. But I do agree that shortened url are also very dangerous as obviously they are masking the real url. So it could be a malicious site and before you know it, you are already trap.
I stopped using paid AV after those annoying pop up warnings that cannot be stopped for some reason even just accessing a site's page for their web protection. Also because of those false positive results.

Suspicious downloaded files is not an issue since i checked and tested them on sandbox environment before using them on my main envi.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: SamReomo on March 28, 2025, 12:50:47 AM
For someone who doesn't jave any anti-virus installed on PC aside from default Defender, and never get hacked on any of my wallets. I only suggest to avoid downloading files from unknown sources, and avoid clicking suspicious links especially those shortened url, some malicious urls are masked by these short urls.
That's a good suggestion, in reality only those people get hacked who download unknown applications and trust those applications without verifying their source. The ones who don't download such applications or don't click on suspicious links are always safe from such threats. One can also use Linux for more security. :)
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: PX-Z on March 28, 2025, 12:57:42 AM
One can also use Linux for more security. :)
Yeah, using linux would be pretty good and most recommended way to avoid such things to happen. But i never tried to install linux distro on any of my laptop, or to have dual boot with linux distro on my windows laptop yet, but i have experience using linux OS before, as well as i use ubunto on my VPS.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: bayu7adi on March 28, 2025, 04:58:54 AM
So it's really our duty to be on the look out of any kind of attacks and we should be made self-aware of the modus of cyber criminals. As everything might look nothing, but inside of that file, there are malware to steal our crypto assets.
What's worse, there are some viruses that are not even detected at all by antivirus, and the victims are very many.... some viruses that are often discussed in forums or on reddit, those are the ones that are detected, right?

After understanding that our computers are quite vulnerable to being used as a place to store something important like a private key or seed key, it's a good idea to consider storing it offline, such as writing manually with a marker on paper, then storing it in a safe place... do it once and it will be useful forever.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: zeeMN on March 28, 2025, 04:49:12 PM
Avoid using hot wallets on your main machine or computer that you use to get on the internet because any mistake of clicking some unknown link can get your pc infected with some Trojan or malware that will steal cookies or whatever it's mearnt to do and then someone will have authorized access and sweep all the coins and we lose out.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Sim_card on March 28, 2025, 05:27:23 PM
For someone who doesn't jave any anti-virus installed on PC aside from default Defender, and never get hacked on any of my wallets. I only suggest to avoid downloading files from unknown sources, and avoid clicking suspicious links especially those shortened url, some malicious urls are masked by these short urls.

Much better to still invest on a good anti-virus + Windows defender. But I do agree that shortened url are also very dangerous as obviously they are masking the real url. So it could be a malicious site and before you know it, you are already trap.

So it's really our duty to be on the look out of any kind of attacks and we should be made self-aware of the modus of cyber criminals. As everything might look nothing, but inside of that file, there are malware to steal our crypto assets.
I don't do much with my PC, apart from login to the forum to read and post. My electrum wallet on my PC is only used when I am transferring funds or uploading the lastest version of electrum. I don't do any other thing on my PC because I want to be as careful as possible to avoid having too many things to do with my PC. I don't open an email that I am not expecting.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: ZAINmalik75 on March 29, 2025, 06:29:16 PM
From some malware news I've read in the past few weeks or so, I don't think I've seen a start-up window being present as a sign that a PC is infected. Most of them run in the background without any visible sign, except your computer feeling slow. I guess that shows how advanced the attack has become, and you'll probably find it easier to prevent yourself from opening one instead of cleaning it. That being said, I check my PC start-up schedule once in a while to see if some random apps have been added.
These malware are old not new where we see pop up windows when we start our device and they pop up for sometime like they just blink for a less than a second and disappears. These pop up windows can be a sign that there is a virus on our computer and we have to deal with it until it is too late.

But first we have to find which virus it can be or we can just reset our computer, and it will take care of it. I think this method is good what do you think if this method is doable.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Royal Cap on March 29, 2025, 08:25:18 PM
First of all i want to tell something, virus can't directly attack on your computer. If you doesn't installed any suspicious software or application on your computer then you are safe. The antivirus can save you from old  viruses but day by day the hijackers/hackers are going to be very clever, so they create new viruses that the antivirus can't detected. So the ultimate tips is ' do not double click on any unknown software '   ;D
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Forsyth Jones on April 09, 2025, 03:28:52 AM
So it's really our duty to be on the look out of any kind of attacks and we should be made self-aware of the modus of cyber criminals. As everything might look nothing, but inside of that file, there are malware to steal our crypto assets.
What's worse, there are some viruses that are not even detected at all by antivirus, and the victims are very many.... some viruses that are often discussed in forums or on reddit, those are the ones that are detected, right?

After understanding that our computers are quite vulnerable to being used as a place to store something important like a private key or seed key, it's a good idea to consider storing it offline, such as writing manually with a marker on paper, then storing it in a safe place... do it once and it will be useful forever.
Even though I follow good security practices by avoiding installing unknown software and verifying GPG signatures, I always have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind when it comes to being infected by malware.

I've much more confidence using a hot wallet on a Linux system that's open source than on Windows.

Even though I own hardware wallets, I still like testing new features in hot wallets too, although most of them support integration with HWI
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: TomPluz on April 09, 2025, 04:37:40 AM
The antivirus can save you from old  viruses but day by day the hijackers/hackers are going to be very clever, so they create new viruses that the antivirus can't detected. So the ultimate tips is ' do not double click on any unknown software '   ;D

We should always be wary of any software we want to download and never ever click links which can be suspicious as we can be tricked into something we would soon regret. These evil people are into the business of victimizing people and since they got the resources and even the funds for their operation, the incentive to be of success (stealing from others) is quite high. And this is especially true to all of us in the cryptocurrency industry...we are always the target since they know we got assets they can snatch from us. In many cases, they are three steps ahead of us and the technology we are utilizing for protection and they are ready 24/7 to give us a punch we will never forget.

Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: joniboini on April 10, 2025, 12:24:36 AM
But first we have to find which virus it can be or we can just reset our computer, and it will take care of it. I think this method is good what do you think if this method is doable.
What do you mean by reset? Are you referring to the factory reset or reinstalling Windows whenever a virus is found? I do think that can be a solution if the virus is located in our OS drive, but I don't think it will prevent a virus from putting itself on another drive, and if we're reckless, we open it after we install a new Windows, which means we get infected again. Obviously, this is just a simplification and there are many ways to prevent this.

Checking the start-up list is a good thing to do once in a while; I agree with that. Especially if you regularly install or download new files.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: r_victory on April 10, 2025, 01:04:34 AM
I enable as many security features as possible, 2FA, email confirmation (if available), long password with a mix of characters, numbers, and letters. Nowadays, attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated, and we need to be prepared for this.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: kontroll on April 11, 2025, 04:17:20 AM
Usually a good idea to make ones thread model explicit in conversations like these. Are we only concerning ourselves with fund-loss incidents (obviously a primary concern either way) or also with privacy and for example not having our identity tracked and correlated with account addresses?

For privacy-conscious folks, I think it's a great idea to look into what your wallet is actually doing and what data it's sharing with whom. A lot of reputable wallets send out a lot more data than you'd think! This can also give you heads up when wallets are dynamically updating and loading code online outside of expected app updates (which is a what we call "supply-chain security risk" and relevant for your funds being SAFU).


For browser wallets

For any reasonable wallet

For unreasonable wallets

Would also recommend checking out Konkret Wallet, if you're on the lookout for a safe browser wallet for Ethereum/EVM/ERC tokens.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: ZAINmalik75 on April 11, 2025, 11:05:23 PM
What do you mean by reset? Are you referring to the factory reset or reinstalling Windows whenever a virus is found? I do think that can be a solution if the virus is located in our OS drive, but I don't think it will prevent a virus from putting itself on another drive, and if we're reckless, we open it after we install a new Windows, which means we get infected again. Obviously, this is just a simplification and there are many ways to prevent this.

Checking the start-up list is a good thing to do once in a while; I agree with that. Especially if you regularly install or download new files.
Most of the people involved in crypto watch or use pirated movies and softwares they somehow click on spam links and some windows just opens automatically and download some files that's not new and later a small bug like a clipboard virus that changes copy paste item in clipboard.

I thought viruses like these which are easy to kill can be dealt if we reinstall our window or reset it, both are same, only the softwares will be removed but the media files will remain safe. If virus is in those media files then it won't solve the problem.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Z-tight on April 12, 2025, 12:11:47 AM
I enable as many security features as possible, 2FA, email confirmation (if available), long password with a mix of characters, numbers, and letters. Nowadays, attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated, and we need to be prepared for this.
Your methods are not bad, but take note that a password only protects your wallet locally and not from online attacks, that is why the most recommended way to avoid attack is to store your funds in cold storage. By cold storage i mean off the internet, either in an airgapped wallet or a hardware wallet.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Faisal2202 on April 19, 2025, 08:41:00 AM
In this crypto world, ensuring wallet security is essential for cryptocurrency users. Therefore, we should protect our private keys and use strong passwords. Also, 2FA, and following proper backup methods are very important. All the points you have raised are important but there are many more techniques that if followed will always keep your wallet safe. Personally I don't like to use vpb because using it requires giving device access which can be dangerous for you.

I used Kaspersky antivirus for my laptop in the past, but I lost quite a few important files. Besides, I use my personal gmail very seriously and always delete unnecessary gmail and do not enter the links there. I use extra disk to make my wallet more secure. The most secure way to use a hardware wallet is if you want.
You are right, we should keep our keys and seed phrases save, the best way is to encrypt our keys and seed phrases using any encryption method and store it in safe place but all of the crypto bros suggests not to store keys on computer at all.

Which is a good approach but I think keys are more safer in devices then they are on paper because if we store it by encrypting on usb or memory card we can still recover data from it even it damages but if paper damages it will be hard to recover. Speaking of anti viruses, they are not good imo, I just use defender in my windows.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Forsyth Jones on April 19, 2025, 09:30:41 PM
You are right, we should keep our keys and seed phrases save, the best way is to encrypt our keys and seed phrases using any encryption method and store it in safe place but all of the crypto bros suggests not to store keys on computer at all.

Which is a good approach but I think keys are more safer in devices then they are on paper because if we store it by encrypting on usb or memory card we can still recover data from it even it damages but if paper damages it will be hard to recover. Speaking of anti viruses, they are not good imo, I just use defender in my windows.
I agree with what you said in part, it's known that removable media can be damaged in the same way as paper and either it becomes completely useless or the data saved on it becomes corrupted.

A good approach is to have both encrypted backups and paper backups (preferably also encrypted or with your funds stored in a hidden wallet with bip39-passphrase).

Bottom line: do both, any digital backup should be done in an environment, preferably offline to prevent potential malware from capturing sensitive information.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: bayu7adi on April 21, 2025, 01:01:23 PM
I enable as many security features as possible, 2FA, email confirmation (if available), long password with a mix of characters, numbers, and letters. Nowadays, attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated, and we need to be prepared for this.
but unfortunately, to hack your crypto wallet... the malware only needs a copy of the private key... as long as you store this private key in a careless place, even viruses that automatically copy paste data will easily hack your wallet without knowledge of your security layer....

the solution is, as little as possible do not involve the internet on the device you use to store the private key... the less internet you use, the less likely the hacking will occur through malware... because basically the way malware works remotely is because of the availability of an internet network...

If it is for data security cases from forum accounts, social media accounts or other accounts, the method above is the maximum security that I also apply.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Aanuoluwatofunmi on April 21, 2025, 07:51:36 PM
To avoid being under attack with the kind of wallet we are using in cryptocurrency, we must be able to follow on some safety tips for maximum security of our assets.

1. Avoid centralized exchange wallets.
2. Use a non custodial wallet.
3. Don't leave your private keys open to third parties.
4. Don't post your wallet address anyhow online.
5. Store your seeds in a private place only accessible to you.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: bayu7adi on April 22, 2025, 07:43:46 AM
1. Avoid centralized exchange wallets.
2. Use a non custodial wallet.
I know this is strange, but my security mechanism is actually very weak when storing assets in a non-custodial wallet, because maybe I'm the one who has a security problem here... I don't justify storing money in an exchange wallet, because there is also a risk of loss there... however, for someone who is not even confident in their ability to store private keys safely, maybe using an exchange wallet is not bad either... they also have a security system, right?

Or if you want to keep storing in a personal wallet, my recommendation is to use several wallets to store the crypto assets you have... this is to minimize the occurrence of hacking on one large bucket that contains the largest balance....

3. Don't leave your private keys open to third parties.
4. Don't post your wallet address anyhow online.
5. Store your seeds in a private place only accessible to you.
Keep the private key connected to your wallet away from the internet, it is a fairly effective practice... considering that all hacking via malware (which often happens) is sending data online... that way when any of our data has been leaked and there is an active internet network that can send the data to someone we don't know, that's the end of our story...
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Faisal2202 on April 22, 2025, 09:24:20 PM
I agree with what you said in part, it's known that removable media can be damaged in the same way as paper and either it becomes completely useless or the data saved on it becomes corrupted.

A good approach is to have both encrypted backups and paper backups (preferably also encrypted or with your funds stored in a hidden wallet with bip39-passphrase).

Bottom line: do both, any digital backup should be done in an environment, preferably offline to prevent potential malware from capturing sensitive information.
TBH I did stored my phrase on paper but don't know why even after storing it away in a locker safe, I felt unsafe, while I stored it in my phone, I only felt unsafe whenever I take it outside, or travel. But it is just the feeling the reality is storing on paper is better but if we don't want other to easily read the content we should do encryption, we should not use third party tools to do the encryption, because to mix the words we can use any simple encryption method, which we can do by using our mind, pencil and paper.

Because sometimes these third party tools also stores our data, so if we are giving our words to it, to encrypt, it is like giving away our words. Better to be on the safe side everytime, as we know usually people lost their funds by being more careful.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Cryptsafe on April 23, 2025, 12:06:36 AM
OP, I appreciate your efforts in putting this writing together, and I must commend your research insight as it is very educative but I would say that VPN has nothing to with crypto wallet safety, you can talk of VPN for location safety which I would agree but to say it prevents attack on your wallet, that is what I am yet to understand from your point because I am very sure of that.

I will say that the majority of the attacks on wallets are as a result of data breaches through links and apps downloaded from sites we have no idea and knowledge of. We just ought to limit the way we click links and ads sent to us, and discard unwanted and unsolicited messages in our inbox. Blocking websites and contacts that send us such messages would help minimize the rate at which we get exposed to these unwanted messages that are potential threats to our wallets and personal information.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Report on April 25, 2025, 01:11:47 PM
My experience when playing in airdrop is that there are a lot of wallet and platform application installations so that there is a possibility of malware in each airdrop project.
I have a trick that may be a bit complicated to do because it requires 2, 3 or even more devices to install the airdrop application.

The first device is for storing cryptocurrency assets.
The second device is for installing various airdrop applications.
The third device is for real work, etc.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: bitbit97 on April 25, 2025, 03:29:20 PM
I have a following question, what will be your actions if you suspect you were hacked, expect to be hacked, or you have already noticed that funds from one of your wallets are stolen ?

1. How to get passwords from password manager, if there is a chance that key stealer is installed? Once you login to import passwords, you become 100% vulnerable.
2. How to access wallet, if locked wallet was only thing that hold hacker from making a transaction? Once you unlock wallet, funds will be send instantly.
3. How to reinstall system without losing everything?
4. How to import information without importing third party software with it?
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Roseline492 on April 25, 2025, 09:42:34 PM
I enable as many security features as possible, 2FA, email confirmation (if available), long password with a mix of characters, numbers, and letters. Nowadays, attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated, and we need to be prepared for this.

2FA is one in a million security I don't joke with having because it gives a good security system that third party cannot in a anyway hacked the account of the user, except the person lost the smartphone that has the 2FA because having the smartphone is also applicable to having access to the 2FA so there is another security after the installation of the 2FA which is protection of the phone to avoid theft. Another security I usually use is the cellphone verification that requires the use of code before being authorized on the account.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: SamReomo on April 25, 2025, 10:45:03 PM
The best approach to avoid crypto wallet attacks is to save your crypto on offline and air gapped systems and go for cold wallets. That is the safest way to keep crypto currencies. However, If someone wants to keep crypto currencies in a system which gets online and needs those crypto for trading or for something else then that person should never ever install any software and that person should consider moving to open source operating system like Linux.
Title: Re: How you can avoid attacks on your crypto wallets.
Post by: Z-tight on April 25, 2025, 11:32:39 PM
4. Don't post your wallet address anyhow online.
You cannot lose your funds through your wallet address, it is a public address, something similar to a banks account number in the centralized world. However, you can only lose your privacy through your BTC wallet address, that is why for the sake of privacy, it is sometime recommended not to reuse addresses.