Photo Source: “reklamo: Bitcoin | bitkoin | битко�” (CC BY 2.0) by komersreal
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general have now reached a point where they are well known to the general population, even if the specifics are well over most people’s heads. This greater understanding and the corresponding rate of adoption means that Bitcoin continues to grow and extend as a viable currency, but this spread also comes with a caveat. It used to be that only the very technologically minded got in on the cryptocurrency game, and these were people who already had a strong basis of knowledge when it came to device security.
The lower barrier to entry today means that there are many newcomers who might not be entirely sure about what they can do to protect their investment, so in this article, we’re going to point out a few helpful tips to get you started.
Stick to the Trusted
Just as with any type of online or in person trading, it is best to first verify that the person or business which you are using is trustworthy. While this may be difficult for the individual user, groups and websites have already done a lot of the footwork in reviewing and detailing which bitcoin retailers and sellers can be trusted. Reviews and established names in the cryptocurrency game have spent years weeding out the problems, so these should be the first port for beginners, and this extends to useful technology like Bitcoin wallets. Remember the basic rules you have learned for online trading, like if something seems too good to be true it probably is, and you’ll be ready to make a strong start.
Protect Your Device
Computer and mobile device security has been a major concern even before the advent of the internet. Add ease of access to that equation, alongside potential financial rewards, and it becomes easy to see why less than savory individuals look at computers as a prime means of making dirty money. Our first step here should be to ensure that any device which intends to interface or deal with cryptocurrency is up to date with its basic protection software.
This comes in three main means which you need to cover – official updates, malware protection, and virus protection. Official updates are those which involve your operating system and important programs. These cover the security holes which are constantly being discovered and patched within computers in this never-ending battle. This is also the easiest to fix, as operating systems and programs offer free security patches and updates as part of their official support strategies. Just keep these up to date, don’t ignore them even when they’re annoying, and you’re off to a good start.
Malware and virus protection is often interchangeable in this day and age, as programs which protect against one will often protect against the other. Just to be safe, it can be best to have two programs with each specializing in one area to cover your bases. While there are many paid options out there, even free programs like Malwarebytes and AVG do an amazing job with little fuss.
Don’t rush, be careful, and ensure any devices you have which use Bitcoin are as safe as possible, and your chances of having a successful foray into cryptocurrency jump significantly.
