AI文章摘要
As the world transitions from Web2 to Web3, the promise of decentralization comes with a new set of responsibilities for users. In Web2, we relied heavily on centralized platforms like banks and social networks. But in Web3, control shifts into your hands. You hold the keys to your assets, your identity, and your financial future. This freedom is exciting, but it also demands a new level of awareness and vigilance.
At ATLETA Network, we prioritize security, especially as blockchain technology remodels the sports industry. In this regard, we want to share with you practical tips to protect your assets. Join in crypto athletes!
Common Threats in Web3
Private Key Theft
A private key is the cryptographic key that proves you own your wallet, your funds, and even your NFTs. If anyone else gets hold of your private key, they own your digital assets.
**Why is this a problem?**The CertiK Report says that In Q3 2024, malicious actors stole $753 million — an increase of approximately 9.5% compared to the previous quarter. So far in 2024, cybercriminals have collectively stolen close to $2 billion. This threat is omnipresent: keyloggers, phishing attacks, and malicious software can all quietly steal your key before you even realize it’s gone.
How to mitigate the risk?
- Use hardware wallets 💾
They store private keys offline, away from the reach of malware or online attacks. Devices like Ledger or Trezor protect your keys from remote hackers, requiring physical interaction to authorize any transaction.
- Use multi-signature wallets 👥
You can set up a requirement where multiple private keys are needed to authorize a transaction. This way, even if one key is compromised, hackers can’t access your funds without the other keys.
- Employ cold storage 🥶 (offline wallets not connected to the internet)
Keep your assets in cold storage for long-term holding, only transferring to online “hot” wallets when necessary for transactions.
Phishing and Social Engineering
In Web3, phishing often targets users by impersonating legitimate DApps, wallets, or exchanges. Social engineering attacks can convince even experienced users to sign fraudulent transactions or hand over sensitive information.
**Why is this a problem?**Cybercriminals have become adept at creating nearly perfect replicas of popular decentralized applications, tricking users into interacting with fake smart contracts or inputting their private keys. The above-mentioned CertiK Report mentions that ‘phishing was the most costly attack vector this quarter, with $343,099,650 stolen across 65 incidents.’
How to mitigate the risk?
- Bookmark the legitimate URLs of all platforms you interact with ✅
Never trust a random link in your email or a direct message, even if it seems urgent or from someone you know.
- Avoid signing unknown contracts 🙅
Signing a transaction or interacting with a smart contract can trigger unintended actions, such as granting access to your funds or even transferring them to another account.
- Enable phishing protection 🛡️
For example, MetaMask and Ledger Live have built-in security alerts that warn you when interacting with known phishing sites.
Smart Contract Exploits
Smart contracts are self-executing agreements written into code, running without intermediaries. But as powerful as they are, they’re not immune to bugs and exploits. If a hacker finds a vulnerability in a smart contract, they can drain millions of dollars from the system.
**Why is this a problem?**According to DefiLlama data, hackers have stolen $735 million in Q1-Q2 2023. These types of attacks aren’t rare — smart contract bugs or poorly written code can be exploited within minutes of their discovery, leaving users who trusted the DApp defenseless.
How to mitigate the risk?
Ensure the smart contracts you interact with have been professionally audited 🔐 by a trusted third-party security firm, like Cybersope. In September 2024, ATLETA passed the Cyberscope audit.
Never use contracts posted by unknown sources 🙅 in chats or social media.
Only grant the minimum permissions 🤏 required when interacting with a smart contract. Many wallets allow you to set custom limits to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack occurs when a hacker intercepts communication between two parties. In Web3, MITM attacks can target wallet applications or DApps, hijacking sensitive data during transactions.
**Why is this a problem?**In Web3, where transactions happen peer-to-peer without intermediaries, the points of weakness are often the bridges — such as wallet apps or network connections. If an attacker successfully intercepts this communication, they can modify transaction details or steal sensitive information.
How to mitigate the risk?
- Use VPNs ✅
when connecting to Web3 platforms to encrypt your internet connection. Thus, you make it harder for hackers to intercept data.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi 🙅
when interacting with Web3 platforms. Public networks can be vulnerable to MITM attacks, giving hackers easy access to intercept your connection.
- Always double-check the transaction details ☝️ in your wallet before confirming. Hackers can manipulate what you see on the interface.
Dusting Attacks
Dusting attacks involve sending tiny amounts of cryptocurrency (dust) to your wallet. While this dust itself is harmless, the goal is to track and deanonymize wallet activity over time, gradually deanonymizing the identity by linking the wallet address to their real-world persona. While each individual dust transaction might seem insignificant, the collective data can reveal valuable patterns over time.
Why is this a problem?
Blockchain transactions, although pseudonymous, are publicly visible. Dusting attacks exploit this transparency to gain insights into user behavior, often for the purpose of identifying high-value targets for phishing attacks, blackmail, or identity theft.
How to mitigate the risk?
- Use privacy features 🔏
Some wallets offer privacy modes that help conceal your transaction history.
- Ignore the dust 🙈
By interacting with these tiny transfers, you could inadvertently reveal more information about your wallet’s activity.
More Security Best Practices for Web3 Users
Managing Private Keys
A private key is the ultimate proof of ownership in Web3, and losing control of it means losing control of the associated assets. How to manage your private keys:
- Keep backup seed phrases in secure locations 🔐
Never store it on a digital device or online platform; instead, keep it written down in multiple secure, physical locations — ideally, in tamper-proof containers or fireproof safes.
- Avoid sharing and screenshotting keys 🙅
Screenshots, notes on cloud platforms, and messages containing private keys or seed phrases can be accessed by hackers. Keep these details offline and treat them with the same care as high-value assets.
Protecting Wallet
Adding additional authentication steps can prevent unauthorized access, even if someone gains access to one of your devices or passwords:
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA) 🔐
Apps like Google Authenticator or Authy generate time-sensitive codes that must be entered each time you access your wallet or approve a transaction.
- Enable biometric locks 👁️
For users who access their wallets on mobile, biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition) adds a layer of identity verification.
Updating Security Setup
Security patches, updates, and new best practices emerge frequently, and it’s essential to adapt along with the technology:
- Ensure that your wallet software, hardware wallet firmware, and any other security tools you use are up-to-date ❗
Updates often address newly discovered vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit if left unpatched.
- Every few months, review your security setup 🔧
Check that 2FA is enabled, verify that your seed phrases are safely stored, and confirm that only the necessary permissions are active on smart contracts you’ve interacted with.
- Revoke unused permissions on smart contracts ☠️
Many DApps and smart contracts require wallet permissions to interact. Over time, it’s easy to forget about these permissions, which can leave you exposed. Review and revoke any unnecessary or outdated permissions.
Concealing On-Chain Activity
By minimizing and concealing your on-chain activity, you make it more difficult for attackers to track your transactions or profile your wallet behavior:
- Use privacy-focused wallets or mixers 😶🌫️
They help obscure transaction trails. By blending your transactions with others, these tools make it challenging for observers to link transactions directly to your wallet.
- Limit wallet connections to verified platforms ❗
Regularly connecting to new or unverified platforms increases the risk of interacting with malicious contracts that could compromise your assets.
- Diversify your wallets ⚖️
Use one for frequent transactions, one for holdings, and one for privacy-focused interactions. This segmentation protects your assets and also makes it harder for attackers to associate your identity with any single wallet.
Continuous Education
In Web3, security isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” process. Threats in the decentralized space evolve rapidly, and new scams, malware, and vulnerabilities emerge as quickly as solutions to counteract them. Continuous education is essential for anyone navigating the Web3 space.
There’s a wealth of resources available for those who want to stay current on Web3 security:
- Blogs and News Platforms 🌐
CoinDesk and Cointelegraph cover a wide range of topics, including security. We, in ATLETA Blog, also always keep you updated on the latest news in blockchain security.
- Social Media 🔗
Twitter and LinkedIn are hubs for crypto news, and many projects share updates and educational content there. Follow official channels (like those from major exchanges, security researchers, and blockchain companies).
- Security-Focused Newsletters 🗞️
For example, CipherTrace’s newsletter offer weekly summaries of the latest security developments and research findings.
- Web3 Security Communities 🫂
GitHub, Discord, and forums such as Ethereum Stack Exchange host communities focused on Web3 security. ATLETA’s community in Discord and Telegram can also be a valuable resource, particularly for sports-industry-focused Web3 insights.
Those who want to go beyond the basics, there are structured courses, workshops, and certification programs that offer deep dives into Web3 security:
- Blockchain Security Courses 🎓
https://www.coursera.org/learn/blockchain-security
https://www.coursera.org/learn/blockchain-security-foundational-concepts
https://www.coursera.org/learn/blockchain-security-intermediate-practices
- Certifications in Blockchain Security 🔐
https://cryptoconsortium.org/certifications/cep/
- Security Webinars and Conferences 💼
At the end of the day, continuous education in Web3 is as much about cultivating a security mindset as it is about technical know-how. Security isn’t just about reacting to threats; it’s about maintaining a proactive, cautious approach to all Web3 activities. Develop the habit of questioning before clicking, verifying before connecting, and researching before transacting.
This approach aligns with ATLETA’s own security ethos. Our platform is designed to evolve and incorporate the best, most up-to-date security practices, ensuring that users feel confident as they explore the potential of Web3 in the sports industry.
Follow us to keep up with cutting-edge trends and innovations!
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