If you're a part of the JPEG craze, it's important to protect your assets. As simple as it is to buy NFTs, it's just as easy to lose them.
Let's look at some simple ways to protect your crypto assets.
Unlink your NFT Wallets!
Before buying any NFTs from a marketplace or website, the website will usually ask you to link your NFT wallet.
This is where investors must be careful. It can be dangerous to leave your wallet signed into an exchange or website.
It may be convenient to keep it up, so you don’t miss the next drop, but it opens the door for hackers to have easy access.
When you are finished buying your JPEGs, unlink your wallet from the exchange or site.
It only takes a matter of seconds to re-link it if you ever need to access it again.
Keep your NFT Wallet Separate
Most people buy NFTs with the same computers or phones they shop or stream Netflix with. However, that may not be the safest practice.
Someone sends a link on Discord, Telegram, or Twitter, and you may have an immediate urge to click it.
Social media apps, text messages, emails and more all have the potential to carry malware from random links. These links could cause you to lose your assets.
The easiest way to avoid this is to use a separate computer or phone just for NFT and crypto.
On your crypto-only device, avoid using social media and browsing any other websites not related to NFTs.
Read Your Emails
Marketplaces like OpenSea usually send emails when you receive an offer. Hackers and scammers like to trick investors that don't pay attention by sending fake links.
It's a good idea to double-check all links and emails before clicking them. Check the sender of the address; noob scammers might send the email from a @gmail.com or Yahoo! address.
Scammers will also create identical copies of an NFT to trick investors who aren't paying attention.
Before clicking on the email, log into your wallet or exchange in a separate tab and see if the notification is legit.
Don't click, use your own link. Scammers like to embed buttons with fake links.
NEVER Share Your Recovery Phrase
This is an obvious one, but it's worth repeating. Hackers like to catch investors in a rush; people often overlook instructions when money is involved.
Sharing your secret recovery phrase is like giving out your credit card info. Never share it with anyone, not even customer support.
Some investors like to store their recovery phrases in emails or notepads on their computers. The best practice is to write them down on paper or memorize it.
But if you do prefer to keep everything digital, keeping your own crypto-only focused device becomes even more important.
Keep an Eye Out for Discord
Discord is the hub for the NFT community. All major and minor projects have a very active Discord presence.
You can access basic tips about how to purchase tokens and get updates on future projects.
But it's important to look out for fake Discord channels and messages. If you join a legit community, your mentions will be flooded with requests from scammers.
Like with emails, don't click on direct links you do not trust. Official Discord links can always be found on the developer's website or Twitter page.
Wrapping Up
Be sure to log out of your wallet, and log out of sites that your wallet is connected to after dealing with your NFTs.
Take care of all your crypto-related business on a dedicated device, separate from your everyday browsing.
NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR RECOVERY PHRASE.
Stay active on Discord, email, and social media, but be wary of scammers and fake links.
It may be a good practice to store any long-term assets offline completely. And keep your VPN handy when investing so your IP address is hidden and your internet traffic is encrypted.
