If there’s one constant between bull and bear markets, it’s that people keep getting hacked. If you believe Twitter (word of advice: never believe Twitter), basically everyone is being hacked 3-4 times per day. Apes, Cool Cats, Goblins, you name it, they stole it…
So what exactly is happening? Are the stories real? What can I do to avoid being next?
Let’s talk about NFT security in 2022 and what you can do to keep yourself in the clear…
Rule #1: Get Hardened with Hardware
It’s been said 100 times before, but…get yourself a Ledger . Better yet, get 2 or 3, just to be safe…maybe 5 (not a sponsor).
Pro Tip: Secure your private key on a waterproof document, store it in a fireproof safe, and bury it where the dog poops to deter thieves. Also, don’t brag about it to your neighbor.
Unfortunately for us, having a Ledger isn’t a silver bullet for hackers. It can’t keep you from signing autographs with your private keys like you’re Bruce Campbell at Comicon.
That brings us to rule #2. Groovy.
Rule #2: Vault to Victory
It’s super simple, but most people seem to forget the basics:
Always split up your holdings into multiple addresses.
Here’s our recommended setup:
Step 1: Set up 3 addresses - An Art Vault, a Token Vault, and a Hot Wallet.
Step 2: Put your Apes and your Goblins in the Art Vault. Don’t touch them. Never sign from this address except to send from your Art Vault TO your Hot Wallet.
Step 3: Put your long-term token holdings in your Token Vault. Don’t touch them. Never sign from this account except to send from your Token Vault TO your Hot Wallet.
Step 4: Never sign for a mint or a sale or anything from your Vaults. ONLY sign for mints, sales and so on from your Hot Wallet. Want to sell something? Transfer it to your Hot Wallet, then list from your Hot Wallet. Want to buy something? Put funds in your Hot Wallet and, immediately after the purchase, move it to your Art Vault.
Signing a malicious message might compromise your Hot Wallet, but it won’t compromise your Vaults and can minimize the severity of a hack. That’s a victory in our book.
Rule #3: Distrust the Discord Monster
This shouldn’t have to be said in 2022…but seriously, stop clicking links in Discord DMs. No project has ever direct messaged users on Discord to give them free mints. It just doesn’t happen. Period. If someone is DM’ing you and it’s not your brother or your best friend or your mom, don’t click that shit. Ever. Don’t click it. Stop. Stop it.
Rule #4: Don’t Drink Alone
If you do find yourself the victim of a hack, it can feel like the end of the world. Life-changing money gone in an instant, and as the panic sets in, you might go to a dark place. Whatever happens, don’t go it alone. Reach out to friends, family, or your fellow Apes, Cool Cats, Lazy Lions, Doodles, or Goblins.
We’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff happen, but we’ve seen the NFT community rise up and do a lot of good for one another during the worst of times. We are all in this together, and the last thing any of us want to discover is that we lost another light in this world.
Be Safe Out There!
Well, that’s it…four simple tips to help you keep your jpegs safe and secure in 2022. We know it’s been a rough year for a lot of you in this market, and we don’t want to see it get any worse!
So what’s your favorite tip? Did we miss something? Let us know how you like to keep your crypto secure and make sure to share the love with everyone you know. Let’s try to do our best to keep our NFTs where they belong!
Comments 0