Let's talk about cryptocurrency hackers. It is a very interesting and current topic. Did you know that hackers have stolen more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency since 2014²? I'm going to tell you some ways they do it and how you can protect yourself.
Ransomware: This is perhaps the most popular method because of how easy and profitable it is. It consists of infecting the victim's device with malicious software that encrypts their files and demands a ransom in cryptocurrency to recover them¹.
Phishing: This is basically blatant deception. Hackers send fake emails or messages that imitate legitimate entities, such as exchanges or digital wallets, and try to convince the victim to enter their credentials or private keys on fraudulent websites¹.
Keyloggers: These are programs that record everything the victim types on their keyboard, including their passwords or access codes to their cryptocurrency accounts. Hackers can install them via malicious attachments or downloads¹.
Rats (Remote Access Trojans): These are programs that allow hackers to take remote control of the victim's device and access their files, camera, microphone and, of course, their cryptocurrency funds¹.
Exchanges and markets: These are the places where cryptocurrencies are bought and sold, and they are also frequent targets of hackers. Some recent examples are the theft of US$610 million from Poly Network³ or the theft of US$150 million from KuCoin².
Telephone authentication: This method involves tricking the victim's telephone company into transferring their phone number to a SIM card controlled by the hacker. In this way, the hacker can receive the verification codes that are sent by SMS to access the cryptocurrency accounts¹.
Bugs in smart contracts: Smart contracts are programs that run on the blockchain and allow complex operations to be carried out with cryptocurrencies, such as loans or investments. However, these contracts may have errors or vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to steal the funds involved¹.
To avoid being a victim of these attacks, it is important to follow some security measures, such as:
Use an antivirus and keep it updated.
Do not open suspicious emails or messages or messages from unknown senders.
Do not enter your personal or financial data on websites that are not secure or trustworthy.
Use a digital wallet that allows you to have control of your private keys and store them in a safe place.
Enable two-factor authentication on your cryptocurrency accounts and prefer phone-agnostic methods, such as apps or physical devices.
Research smart contracts well before participating in them and verify their source code and reputation.
I hope this information has been useful to you. If you have any questions or want to know more about anything related to cryptocurrencies, don't hesitate to ask me. 😊
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE
(1) . https://bing.com/search?q=hablemos+de+los+hacker+de+criptomonedas.
(2) 7 Ways Hackers Can Steal Your Cryptocurrencies - CriptoNoticias. https://www.criptonoticias.com/seguro-bitcoin/7-formas-hackers-trabajon-robar-criptomonedas/.
(3) Poly Network: the hackers who returned almost half of the.... https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-58186888.
(4) "Cazabitcoins": hackers in search of billions of.... https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-60313143.
(5) The hacker who stole 600 million in cryptocurrencies did it 'for fun.... https://computerhoy.com/noticias/tecnologia/hacker-robo-600-millones-criptomonedas-cobra-recompensa-915405.
(6) Cryptocurrency thefts are on the rise. This is what you should know. https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2021/12/13/robos-criptomonedas-mayores-esto-debe-saber-trax/.
(7) undefined. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-58344057.
