- Sim swapping: A type of identity theft in which a hacker tricked a cellular service provider into transferring a victim's phone number to a new SIM card under the hacker's control. This allows you to intercept two-factor authentication codes and gain access to a Bitcoin wallet.
- Keylogging: Installing software that records and saves all keyboard inputs, including passwords, passphrases, and private keys.
- Phishing: Phishing is the practice of tricking a user into clicking a malicious link or entering sensitive information on a fake website that appears to be legitimate.
- Malware: Software that infects a computer or device, allowing hackers to access and control it remotely, potentially gaining access to a Bitcoin wallet.
- Social engineering: Tricking a user into disclosing sensitive information or taking actions that jeopardize the security of a Bitcoin wallet, such as revealing a password, passphrase, or private key.
- Password cracking: Using software or manual methods to guess or determine a Bitcoin wallet's password or passphrase, potentially gaining access to the Bitcoin stored there.
- Data Breach: Bitcoin wallet companies or exchanges are experiencing data breaches, which may result in the loss of personal and financial information.
- Cross-site Scripting (XSS) attacks: A type of web application vulnerability in which an attacker can inject and execute malicious scripts on a website, potentially gaining access to a Bitcoin wallet.
- Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks: The attacker sends a request to the user's wallet to perform a transfer without their permission.
- Wallet: The vulnerabilities of your Bitcoin wallet are not limited to "outside" factors; they could be your own wallet. A bad wallet has vulnerabilities or security flaws that hackers or attackers can use. These vulnerabilities could be weak encryption, design flaws, or other issues that allow attackers to gain access to your private keys or other sensitive information.
How to avoid them:
- Create strong, unique passwords for all of your wallet and exchange accounts.
- Secure your wallet with two-factor authentication, such as a one-time password or fingerprint scan.
- Use antivirus and anti-malware software on all of your devices to safeguard against cyber attacks.
- Exercise caution when clicking links and downloading files from unknown sources.
- Be wary of phishing attempts and avoid clicking on any suspicious links or disclosing personal information to unknown people or organizations.
- Choose a reputable and secure wallet and exchange.
- Backup your wallet and private keys on a regular basis to ensure recovery in the event that your devices are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Maintain good OpSec (Operational Security) by not disclosing any sensitive information about your Bitcoin holdings, such as the number of Bitcoins you own or the balance in your wallet.
- Stay informed about the latest developments in the Bitcoin industry.