Fortifying the Perimeter: How to Secure Your Computer for Crypto

Buying a hardware wallet is great, but if the computer you plug it into is infected with malware, you are still walking through a minefield. Crypto security starts with digital hygiene. You don't need to be a hacker, just a tidy user.

1. Separate Your Activities
Don't use the same browser for DeFi that you use for downloading torrents, watching sketchy streams, or casual browsing.

• Pro Tip: Create a dedicated browser profile (e.g., in Brave or Chrome) strictly for crypto. Install only necessary extensions (like your wallet) and nothing else.

2. The 2FA Rule (SMS is Broken)
Two-Factor Authentication is mandatory, but SMS 2FA is dangerous. Hackers can perform "SIM Swapping" to intercept your text messages and break into your exchange accounts.

• Solution: Always use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) or, better yet, a hardware key (YubiKey). Disable SMS verification wherever possible.

3. Clipboard Hijackers
This is a common malware that detects when you copy a crypto address and silently replaces it with the hacker's address when you paste it.

• Defense: Always check the first 4 and last 4 characters of the address after pasting it. Never blindly trust Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V.

Summary:
Treat your computer like a workspace, not a playground. A clean, dedicated environment is the cheapest insurance policy you can buy.