Not Your Keys, Not Your Crypto

How to stay safe online and in crypto&hellip August 18, 2021 [UNSUBSCRIBE]( | [WEBSITE](Put_Website_Link_Here) [Altucher Confidential] [Warning] Do you enjoy receiving Altucher Confidential? Please [Click Here Now]( so we know to continue sending you Altucher Confidential for free! “Here’s how to protect every aspect of your digital life -- whether it’s cryptocurrencies or every single account you use online.” [Email Masthead] [Editor’s Note: We’re going to do something a little different today. I’d like to start featuring content from a writer that I admire. His name is Chris Campbell. If you don’t know Chris, he’s one of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. He’s visited over 30 countries on the hunt for ways to live a freer, healthier, more abundant, and satisfying life. He’s been on the bleeding edge of bitcoin, medical tourism, decentralization, Big Brother, and much more. He lived as a digital nomad with no possessions (sound familiar??)… He’s even tried his hand as a farmer in the Midwest. I hope you enjoy his ideas as much as I do!] Not Your Keys, Not Your Crypto By Chris Campbell [Incoming message from James Altucher]( Hey, I just recorded [this short briefing]( for you. It’s pretty urgent. [Click here now]( or on the play button to view it… [(The contents of this video may shock you)]( [Video]( “Not your keys, not your coins.” This is a phrase often used in the cryptosphere to encourage newcomers to use wallets, instead of exchanges. Keep in mind: Even if you don’t own any cryptocurrencies, if you’re online this phrase -- “Not your keys” -- applies. Fact is, you rely on cryptography every single day to protect your private information from those who might use it for nefarious purposes. Today, with this in mind, we’re going to show you how to protect every aspect of your digital life -- including cryptocurrencies and every single account you use online. Let’s start with the basics of cryptocurrencies. The Wallet The first thing you need to understand is wallets. Simplified, a “wallet” is any software or hardware capable of holding cryptocurrencies. Most people start with an exchange wallet like Coinbase or Binance, then move to a hot wallet (usually a mobile app), and eventually to a cold/hardware wallet, as the need for security increases. If you hold any meaningful amount of any crypto, it is highly recommended that you consider a hardware wallet for maximum security. Hardware wallets are also known as “cold wallets” because they’re not connected to the Internet (or “hot”). Even when connected to your computer, hardware wallets are standalone -- meaning, even if your computer is compromised, they’re still difficult to compromise. Cold wallets, therefore, protect your coins against viruses, malware, phishers, and even key loggers that may or may not be hiding on your computer. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Recommended Article] [2013: Bitcoin Then and Now | Laissez Faire Today]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Best Hardware Wallets Today, there are several hardware wallets to choose from. If you’re new, this can get a bit overwhelming. Satochip… Tangem… Secux… Safepal… Cobo Vault… OPOL Cosmos… BitBox… OpenDime… Coldcard… and on. The most popular and trusted hardware wallets are Trezor and Ledger. Forced to choose between the two, I’d choose Trezor. Trezor is simple to use, it supports most cryptocurrencies (over 1,500 of them) -- and all Ethereum tokens -- and integrates easily with the Exodus Wallet. Whatever hard wallet you choose, however, the principles are the same. When setting up your hardware wallet, there are 3 items to keep in mind: Public Address - think of this as the public username for your wallet, or the public address you or others send crypto to. Private Keys - this is similar to a password to access your wallet. The private key is held and encrypted safely inside your hardware wallet. Seed Phrase - 12 to 24 words to recover your wallet in case you lose your device. If there’s one thing you want to keep safe, it’s the seed phrase. [Seed Phrase] If you lose your hardware device, for example, it will still be protected by a pin of your choosing. [Trezor PIN] And you can still access your funds with the seed phrase. (And then, ideally, move them to a new device.) A Message from Your Publisher been preparing for our can’t-miss [Turning Point 2021]( event for nearly three months now. And you won’t believe the action-packed lineup my colleague Keith and I have in store for you! During the event… - Keith will reveal the #1 most common mistake that KILLS investors’ portfolios. - We’ll discuss the secret behind increasing your gains up to 3-fold on George Gilder, James Altucher and Graham Summers’ great stock recommendations. - We’ll unveil a special signal that Keith uses to pinpoint bull and bear markets. - I’ll ask Keith about how to pinpoint exactly how much to invest in every single recommendation we make. - PLUS – Keith will reveal how you can beat even Warren Buffett’s performance, thanks to his secret! To make sure you don’t miss out, simply [go here now]( reserve your spot today. Conversely, if someone finds your seed phrase, they have access to everything. Trezor provides two small booklets to write down your seed phrase. [Trezor list] But there’s also a way to beef up this security. “Brain” and “Steel” Wallets A “brain wallet” is when someone remembers their 24-word (or in some cases 12- or 48-word) seed phrase. I’m not that confident in my memory… and you probably shouldn’t be either. The more secure, weatherproof option is a steel wallet. Most people don’t go to this extreme, but if you’re looking for max security, consider it. In short, you engrave your 24-word seed into a piece of steel and lock it closed. Note: You only need the first four letters of each word. Wherever you enter your seed phrase to recover your coins, it will autofill the rest. [Etched seed phrase] Some brands offer steel wallets with letters included, no engraving is required. [Four letters required] (You can find these on Amazon or through a simple search on any search engine.) --------------------------------------------------------------- [Recommended Article] [Is an Inflationary Crash Waiting in the Wings? | Money & Crisis]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Yubikey Beyond cryptocurrencies, there’s one more layer of security to consider for all of your online accounts. You’ve probably noticed that most services now require you to use 2-Factor Authenticator, whether it’s a text code, email, or Google Authenticator. All three of these are imperfect. They are insecure and prone to attacks by savvy hackers because, again, you aren’t holding the private keys that unlock your accounts. For that, there’s Yubikey. Yubikeys are physical keys that you hold (or keep plugged into your computer). With Yubikey, even if hackers know all of your passwords, without this key, they can’t access your accounts or move any of your crypto. Yubikeys can be used for almost all of the major cryptocurrency exchanges and you can use them in tandem with any major password managers (like LastPass). [Here, you can find out which Yubikeys are right for you.]( These keys work with everything from Brave browser to Coinbase to your operating system. [YubiKeys] The upside is the added security, especially if you use a password manager like Lastpass. The downside is the loss of convenience -- especially if you use multiple devices -- you’ll always need the physical key to log in to your accounts. (This also, it should be noted, doesn’t prevent hacks on exchanges, websites, or any third-party accounts.) Many sites will allow you to keep extra keys on file for redundancy, in case you lose one. Some, like Binance, won’t. So, no matter what you’re doing, keep your keys safe. Not your keys, not your crypto. Until tomorrow, [Chris Campbell] Chris Campbell For Altucher Confidential Federal Ruling does WHAT? Federal Government just passed an obscure new ruling. It could change your life in ways you’ve never thought possible. And help some Americans make a small fortune in the process. 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