Free Crypto Security Checklist: Don't Let Your Passwords Be Like 'password123'!

Secure your digital assets forever in this 20-minute guide. Explore the best practices for DeFi, wallet security, and backup strategies for your crypto.

Security Glossary Summary

• Seed Phrase: A 12-24 word sequence generated by a crypto wallet for recovering cryptocurrency, requiring secure storage.
• Private Key: A unique, randomly generated code to access and control ownership of cryptocurrencies within a blockchain network.
• Public Key: A user's public-facing address for receiving funds, paired with a private key for security.
• Cryptography: A method of securing information by converting it into indecipherable codes, requiring keys for decryption.
• Encryption: The process of converting digital information into a secure form to prevent unauthorized access.
• Decryption: The reversal of encryption to make previously encrypted information accessible.
• Custody: The holding of assets by an institution on behalf of clients to mitigate security risks.
• Yubikey: A physical device used for two-factor authentication and secure logins.
• Stealth Addresses: A method for obscuring public blockchain transactions by generating one-time addresses.
• Phishing Attack: A fraudulent practice of impersonating trustworthy entities to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information.
• Air Gapped: A device without internet capabilities to prevent data corruption.
• Ransomware: Malicious software that encrypts files or locks computers, demanding a ransom for access.
• Non-Custodial: A service where users retain control and ownership of their funds, managing private keys themselves.
• Custodial: A service that holds and manages users' funds, typically managing private keys.
• MetaMask: A popular crypto wallet for managing, depositing, and transferring tokens across blockchains.
• dApp (Decentralized Application): An app distributed on a blockchain, allowing direct user interaction without intermediaries.
• AML (anti-money laundering): Laws and regulations aimed at preventing financial crimes on legitimate platforms.
• Cold Wallet: Cryptocurrency wallets disconnected from the internet when not in use for security.
• Cold Storage: Wallets not connected to the internet, such as hardware wallets, USBs, or paper wallets.
• Paper Wallet: A physical storage method for cryptocurrency private keys, printed on paper.
• Hardware Wallet: A non-custodial wallet typically in the form of a USB drive for secure cryptocurrency storage.
• Honest Geppetto Attack: Running a large number of nodes in a blockchain network to gain trust before disrupting it.
• Closed Source: Proprietary software not available to the general public.
• Open Source: Software with freely available source code for viewing, modifying, and distributing.
• FinCEN: The U.S. Treasury's federal regulatory agency for financial intelligence.
• Smart Contract: Self-executing digital contracts automatically enforcing terms and conditions written in code.
• Hot Wallet: A software wallet stored on a user's desktop or accessed through a web interface.