🔐 Cryptocurrency & Digital Asset Security

DIY Security Assessment & Protection Guide for Web3, Crypto, and Digital Assets

⚠️ 2025 Threat Landscape

$3.1 billion in crypto lost in the first 6 months of 2025 alone. Phishing attacks account for 31% of all scams, AI-powered deepfake scams have doubled, and malicious NFTs increased by 92%. This tool will help you protect yourself.

$3.1B

Lost to crypto crime in H1 2025

+1,633%

Increase in deepfake voice phishing

31%

Of scams are phishing attacks

92%

Rise in malicious NFTs

🔑 Wallet Security Assessment

Hardware Wallet - Your First Line of Defense

Hardware wallets store your private keys offline on a physical device, making them significantly less vulnerable to hacks and cyber-attacks. They are recommended for long-term storage and larger amounts of cryptocurrency.

Critical Security Checklist

Private Key Management Best Practices

✅ DO:

  • Store private keys offline using hardware wallets or paper backups
  • Use metal backup tools for added durability against fire/water damage
  • Keep multiple copies in geographically separate secure locations
  • Consider splitting seed phrase storage (first half in one location, second half in another)
  • Test recovery process with small amounts first

❌ NEVER:

  • Share your private key or seed phrase with ANYONE (including "support")
  • Store keys in email, cloud storage, or notes apps
  • Take photos or screenshots of your seed phrase
  • Enter your seed phrase on any website
  • Store keys on a computer connected to the internet

🚨 2025 Scams & Cyber Threats

🎭 AI-Powered Deepfake Scams (NEW in 2025)

Threat Level: CRITICAL - Deepfake-based scams nearly doubled in 2025, with voice phishing up 1,633% in Q1 2025.

  • How it works: Scammers use AI to clone voices and faces of project founders, influencers, or your contacts
  • Common tactics: Fake video calls requesting urgent transfers, cloned voice messages from "CEOs", AI-generated celebrity endorsements
  • Protection: Always verify through multiple channels, use code words with team members, never act on urgent transfer requests without verification

🎣 Phishing Attacks (31% of all scams)

Threat Level: CRITICAL - Phishing caused over $1.6 billion in losses in 2024-2025.

  • Email/Message phishing: Fake support messages on Telegram, Discord, or email pretending to be from exchanges or wallets
  • Website phishing: Clone sites with URLs like "metam4sk.com" instead of "metamask.com"
  • Wallet drainers: Malicious dApps that trick you into signing transactions that empty your wallet
  • Protection: Double-check ALL URLs, bookmark official sites, never click links in unsolicited messages, verify transaction details before signing

💀 Malicious Browser Extensions

Threat Level: CRITICAL - Crypto drainer malware specifically targets MetaMask and other browser wallets.

  • How it works: Fake extensions that look legitimate but contain malicious code to steal keys or modify transactions
  • Common names: Extensions impersonating MetaMask, Phantom, or other popular wallets
  • Protection: Only install extensions from official sources, verify publisher, check reviews and install date, audit installed extensions regularly

💔 Romance & Social Engineering Scams

Threat Level: HIGH - Reports surged in early 2025 of romance scams pivoting to crypto phishing.

  • How it works: Build trust over time, then introduce crypto "investment opportunities" or send phishing links
  • Red flags: New online relationship quickly discussing crypto, requests for investment help, urgency to act on opportunities
  • Protection: Never mix romance and finance, be skeptical of crypto advice from online relationships, independently verify any platform

🎪 Rug Pulls & Fake Projects

Threat Level: HIGH - Average rug pull now steals $300,000, with elaborate marketing campaigns using AI.

  • How it works: Launch a token/project, build hype with fake partnerships and AI-generated celebrity endorsements, then developers disappear with funds
  • Warning signs: Anonymous team, no locked liquidity, unrealistic promises, heavy marketing focus over product
  • Protection: Research team extensively, check for liquidity locks, review smart contract audit, start with small amounts

Phishing Detection Checklist

📜 Smart Contract Security

2025 Smart Contract Vulnerability Stats

$2.17 billion stolen YTD 2025 from smart contract exploits. Top vulnerabilities: Access Control ($953.2M), Logic Errors ($63.8M), Reentrancy ($35.7M), Flash Loan Attacks ($33.8M).

OWASP Smart Contract Top 10 (2025)

1. Access Control Vulnerabilities - $953.2M in losses

What it is: Improper restrictions on who can call sensitive contract functions.

Examples: Missing owner checks, public functions that should be private, privilege escalation

Prevention:

  • Use OpenZeppelin's Ownable or AccessControl patterns
  • Minimize access to contract functions
  • Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
  • Regular audit of function visibility modifiers
2. Logic Errors - $63.8M in losses

What it is: Flaws in business logic or mathematical operations.

Examples: Integer overflow/underflow, incorrect calculations, flawed conditional logic

Prevention:

  • Use SafeMath libraries or Solidity 0.8+ with built-in overflow protection
  • Extensive unit testing with edge cases
  • Formal verification for critical calculations
  • Multiple peer reviews of business logic
3. Reentrancy Attacks - $35.7M in losses

What it is: Malicious contract calls back into your contract before first execution finishes.

Examples: The infamous DAO hack, functions that transfer ETH before updating state

Prevention:

  • Use Checks-Effects-Interactions pattern
  • Implement ReentrancyGuard from OpenZeppelin
  • Update state before external calls
  • Use pull over push for payments
4. Flash Loan Attacks - $33.8M in losses

What it is: Attackers borrow massive amounts without collateral to manipulate prices or exploit logic.

Examples: Oracle manipulation, price manipulation, economic exploits

Prevention:

  • Use time-weighted average price (TWAP) oracles
  • Implement manipulation-resistant pricing mechanisms
  • Add deposit/withdrawal delays for large transactions
  • Use multiple price oracle sources
5. Lack of Input Validation - $14.6M in losses

What it is: Failing to validate user inputs or external data.

Examples: Missing zero-address checks, unbounded loops, invalid parameter ranges

Prevention:

  • Validate all inputs with require() statements
  • Check for zero addresses
  • Validate array lengths and loop bounds
  • Ensure sane parameter ranges

Smart Contract Audit Checklist

Recommended Audit Tools

MythX

Automated security analysis detecting ~92% of known vulnerabilities in test environments.

Slither

Static analysis framework that runs in seconds and finds vulnerabilities with high precision.

Echidna

Fuzzing tool for Ethereum smart contracts to find edge cases and vulnerabilities.

Manticore

Symbolic execution tool for analyzing smart contracts and binary programs.

🏦 DeFi Platform Safety

DeFi Risk Warning

DeFi protocols are complex and carry significant risks. Even audited protocols can have vulnerabilities. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

DeFi Platform Security Checklist

Common DeFi Attack Vectors (2025)

Price Oracle Manipulation

Attackers manipulate price feeds to exploit lending protocols or AMMs.

  • Protection: Use protocols with TWAP oracles or multiple price sources
  • Red flag: Protocol relies on single DEX price feed

Front-Running

~20% of DeFi protocols impacted. Attackers see your pending transaction and submit higher gas to execute first.

  • Protection: Use private mempools, set slippage limits, consider Flashbots
  • Red flag: Frequent failed transactions or worse-than-expected prices

Liquidation Cascades

In lending protocols, price drops can trigger mass liquidations.

  • Protection: Maintain high collateralization ratio, set price alerts, use stop-losses
  • Red flag: High protocol utilization rate during volatile markets

Impermanent Loss

Not a hack, but a significant risk when providing liquidity to AMMs.

  • Protection: Understand IL calculators, provide liquidity to correlated pairs, consider single-sided staking
  • Red flag: High volatility pairs with low trading fees

DeFi Best Practices

Risk Management

  • Diversify: Never put all funds in one protocol
  • Start small: Test with small amounts first
  • Monitor actively: Set up alerts for price changes and health factors
  • Understand fully: Never invest in products you don't completely understand
  • Limit approvals: Only approve exact amounts needed, not unlimited
  • Regular revokes: Revoke unused approvals monthly

DeFi Due Diligence Resources

DeFi Llama

Track TVL, yields, and protocol metrics across all chains.

Revoke.cash

View and revoke token approvals to protect against malicious contracts.

DeFi Safety

Independent security ratings for DeFi protocols.

Nexus Mutual

Decentralized insurance for smart contract failures.

🖼️ NFT Security

2025 NFT Threat Landscape

Malicious NFTs increased 92% in 2025. In August 2025, one major phishing attack stole $1 million worth of crypto and NFTs. Free NFT airdrops can drain wallets when touched.

Major NFT Scams & Threats

Malicious NFT Airdrops (92% Increase)

Threat Level: CRITICAL

  • How it works: Scammers send free NFTs to your wallet containing malicious smart contracts that drain funds when you interact with them
  • Warning signs: Unexpected NFT in wallet, too-good-to-be-true free drops, unknown collection
  • Protection: Never interact with unsolicited NFTs, hide them in wallet settings, use NFT spam filters

Fake Minting Sites

Threat Level: CRITICAL

  • How it works: Clone sites that look identical to legitimate NFT projects, drain wallet when you try to mint
  • Common tactics: Typosquatting domains, fake Discord announcements, sponsored ads on Google
  • Protection: Only use links from official verified accounts, bookmark mint sites, verify smart contract address

NFT Phishing via Social Media

Threat Level: HIGH

  • How it works: Fake accounts impersonating NFT projects announce "surprise mints" or "exclusive drops"
  • Warning signs: New account, slightly different handle, urgency/scarcity tactics
  • Protection: Verify account checkmarks, cross-reference official website/Discord, be suspicious of urgency

Rug Pulls & Fake Projects

Threat Level: HIGH - Average rug pull: $300K with AI-generated marketing

  • How it works: Launch NFT collection with AI-generated art and fake celebrity endorsements, disappear after mint
  • Warning signs: Anonymous team, no roadmap substance, stolen art, unrealistic promises
  • Protection: Research team thoroughly, reverse image search art, check community sentiment, start small

Bidding Scams on Marketplaces

Threat Level: MEDIUM

  • How it works: Scammer makes high bid, then switches to low-value token before you accept
  • Warning signs: Bid currency changes, unusually high offers
  • Protection: Always verify bid currency (ETH vs WETH vs others), check current floor price

NFT Security Checklist

NFT Platform Safety Tips

Safe NFT Trading Practices

  • Use established marketplaces: OpenSea, Blur, LooksRare (verify URLs!)
  • Hot wallet for trading only: Keep valuable NFTs in cold storage
  • Verify collection authenticity: Check blue checkmark, trading volume, holder count
  • Check metadata and IPFS: Ensure NFT metadata is properly decentralized
  • Beware of royalty bypassing: Some marketplaces don't enforce creator royalties
  • Transaction simulation: Use tools like Tenderly to simulate transactions before executing

NFT Security Tools

Wallet Guard

Browser extension that warns you about malicious NFT transactions and sites.

NFT Tracker Apps

Rainbow, Zerion - help manage and hide spam NFTs safely.

Revoke.cash

Essential for revoking NFT marketplace approvals you're not using.

Etherscan NFT Checker

Verify smart contract source code and deployment date before minting.

🔍 Comprehensive Security Assessment

Complete this comprehensive assessment to evaluate your current security posture. Your progress is automatically tracked.

0% Complete

1. Wallet Security (10 items)

See "Wallet Security" tab above

2. Exchange & Custody Security

3. Transaction Security

4. Operational Security (OpSec)

5. Backup & Recovery

6. Corporate/Treasury Security (if applicable)

🛠️ Security Tools & Resources

Essential Security Tools

🔐 Hardware Wallets

  • Ledger Nano X/S Plus: Most popular, supports 5,500+ coins
  • Trezor Model T: Open-source, touchscreen interface
  • GridPlus Lattice1: Advanced features, large screen

🔍 Transaction Security

  • Revoke.cash: Manage and revoke token approvals
  • Tenderly: Simulate transactions before execution
  • Etherscan: Verify contracts and transactions

🛡️ Browser Protection

  • Wallet Guard: Detect malicious transactions
  • Fire: Wallet security alerts
  • Pocket Universe: Transaction simulation warnings

📊 Portfolio & Monitoring

  • Zapper: Track DeFi positions
  • DeBank: Portfolio management across chains
  • Zerion: Wallet tracking and alerts

🔐 Multi-Sig Wallets

  • Gnosis Safe: Most popular multi-sig
  • Fireblocks: Institutional grade
  • Coinbase Custody: For corporate treasuries

📝 Smart Contract Audit

  • MythX: Automated analysis
  • Slither: Static analysis
  • Echidna: Fuzzing tool

🏦 DeFi Safety

  • DeFi Llama: TVL and protocol analytics
  • DeFi Safety: Protocol security ratings
  • Nexus Mutual: Smart contract insurance

🔑 Password & 2FA

  • 1Password/Bitwarden: Password managers
  • Authy/Google Authenticator: 2FA apps
  • YubiKey: Hardware 2FA

Educational Resources

Security Learning

  • CertiK Security Leaderboard: Track ongoing exploits and hacks
  • Rekt News: Learn from DeFi failures and exploits
  • Smart Contract Security Field Guide: Comprehensive security guide
  • Trail of Bits Publications: In-depth security research
  • OpenZeppelin Docs: Secure smart contract patterns

Emergency Response

If You've Been Compromised

  • Immediately: Transfer remaining assets to a new, secure wallet
  • Revoke approvals: Use Revoke.cash to revoke all token approvals
  • Document everything: Transaction hashes, timestamps, amounts
  • Report: File reports with relevant exchanges, blockchain explorers, and authorities
  • Alert community: Warn others if it's a widespread attack
  • Learn: Understand what happened to prevent future attacks

Compliance & Regulatory

Tax Reporting

  • CoinTracker: Crypto tax software
  • Koinly: Multi-exchange tracking
  • TaxBit: Enterprise solutions

Compliance Tools

  • Chainalysis: Blockchain analytics
  • Elliptic: AML/compliance
  • TRM Labs: Risk management

Stay Informed

Follow Security Updates

  • Twitter/X: @tayvano_, @officer_cia, @samczsun, @bantg
  • Newsletters: Week in Ethereum, Bankless, The Defiant
  • Discord/Telegram: Official project channels only
  • GitHub: Watch repositories for security advisories

🤝 Part of the CISO Marketplace Ecosystem

Explore our comprehensive suite of privacy and security assessment tools

MyPrivacy.blog

Main CISO Marketplace Platform

CryptoImpactHub

Blockchain & Web3 Impact Analysis

Digital Wealth Shield

High Net Worth Individual Protection

Social Media Security

Social Platform Privacy Assessment

Identity Risk Assessment

Personal Identity Protection

Personal Privacy Tool

Individual Privacy Evaluation

Influencer Security

Content Creator Protection

IoT Security Assessment

Smart Home & IoT Evaluation

IoT Risk Analysis

Connected Device Risk Management

Lifestyle Security

Personal Lifestyle Risk Assessment

ScamWatch HQ

Scam Detection & Fraud Monitoring