Master DeFi security best practices. Learn to protect your wallet from phishing, manage token approvals, detect scams, and secure your assets against exploits and hacks.
Combine these practices into a systematic approach:
Act immediately: (1) Transfer remaining funds to a NEW wallet with a NEW seed phrase. (2) Revoke all approvals on the compromised address. (3) Do NOT use the compromised wallet again, even after revoking—the seed is compromised forever.
MetaMask itself is secure, but it's a hot wallet—your keys are on your computer. For significant amounts, always use MetaMask connected to a hardware wallet. This gives you MetaMask's convenience with hardware wallet security.
On Etherscan, verified contracts show readable source code. Unverified contracts only show bytecode. Unverified = major red flag. Also check that the displayed code matches what was audited (compare commit hashes).
VPNs don't protect your crypto (blockchain transactions aren't location-dependent), but they protect your privacy. Some protocols block certain regions—VPNs can bypass this. Choose reputable VPNs; free VPNs often sell your data.
Multi-sig with geographic distribution. For example, a 2-of-3 Safe with keys in different locations/devices. This protects against single points of failure (theft, loss, coercion). For very large amounts, consider institutional custody.
In DeFi, security isn't optional—it's the foundation of everything. The most profitable strategies mean nothing if your funds get drained by a phishing attack or exploit. The traders who thrive long-term are those who make security a habit, not an afterthought.
Start with the basics: hardware wallet, careful approval management, and verified URLs only. Build from there with simulation extensions, multi-sig setups, and regular audits of your security posture. The time invested in security is the highest-ROI activity in crypto.
Remember: there's no "undo" in blockchain. One mistake can cost everything. Stay vigilant, stay paranoid, stay secure.