Introduction
Security is Binance's top priority. We do our best to keep your account secure, but you can also enhance the security of your Binance account.
In this article, we will talk about simple steps and regular actions that will help you make your account more secure. We are as interested in his safety as you are. The blockchain industry is growing very quickly, so creating a secure environment will benefit us all.
Here's what you can do to improve the security of your Binance account.
1. Use a strong password and change it regularly
Yes, this is an obvious and mandatory step to protect your Binance account. Use only strong and unique passwords for all your online accounts. Especially those that are valuable, such as your cryptocurrency exchange account. Ideally, your passwords should be more than eight characters long and contain uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Password managers are one of the best ways to create, manage and store passwords. They allow you to conveniently and securely store and manage all your passwords in one program. Most password managers use complex encryption mechanisms, providing an additional layer of protection. Only use a password manager you can trust, and of course, create a strong master password.
A strong password is great, but it alone does not guarantee complete security. We recommend changing your passwords regularly, as attackers may somehow find a way to get your passwords. This applies not only to your Binance account, but also to the email associated with it.
While we're on the topic of email security, here's another recommendation: use different email addresses for different accounts. This way you can reduce the potential negative consequences of data leaks. If you've been using your email account for a long time, there's a high chance that your data has been stolen in one of the breaches in the past. By using different email addresses for each service, you reduce the risk of multiple accounts being affected in the event of a data breach. Visit Have I Been Pwned to see if any of your accounts have been affected by a data breach.
Remember: if you change your Binance account password, withdrawals will not be available for 24 hours. This measure helps prevent situations where potential attackers block access to your account and try to withdraw funds.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
We recommend enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) immediately after creating your Binance account. Binance supports two types of two-factor authentication: SMS and Google. Of these two methods, Google Authenticator is preferable. Just remember to write down the reset key in case you need to transfer your two-factor authentication codes to a new mobile phone.
SMS authentication is easier, but it is less secure than Google Authenticator. SIM card spoofing is a real threat that has already affected some famous people. For example, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey became a victim of this particular hacking method in 2019. The attackers gained full access to his Twitter account with millions of followers.
There are other ways to protect your account using two-factor authentication. Next, we'll talk about another method - universal two-factor authentication, or U2F. This method involves using a physical device that protects your account from hacking. Good news: this method can also be used on Binance.
3. Check the list of devices with access to your account
You can view a list of devices that have access to your Binance account in the Device Management section. In the Binance app, you can find it in your account security settings.
If you see unknown or no longer used devices in the list, remove them. Once deleted, access to your account will be disabled for these devices until you grant it again via email confirmation. As a reminder, this is why the security of your email account is very important.
You can also view account activity, such as when and from what IP address your account was logged in. If you notice suspicious activity, disable your account immediately. This action will suspend the ability to trade and withdraw funds, delete all API keys, as well as all devices that have access to your account.
4. Manage withdrawal addresses
Your Binance account has a security feature called Address Management. It allows you to limit the number of addresses in your wallet to which you can withdraw funds. If enabled, confirmation via email will be requested when adding a new address.
This is a great time to once again remind you how important it is to protect your email account. This is the basis of your online security.
Don't know which crypto wallet to choose for withdrawing funds? Try Trust Wallet. This is a reliable and secure wallet for mobile devices. Another option is to purchase a hardware wallet and store private keys offline.
Thinking about where to start working with cryptocurrencies? Buy Bitcoin on Binance!
5. Learn more about phishing
Phishing is a type of attack in which an attacker pretends to be someone else (for example, a specific company) in order to obtain your personal information. This is one of the most common attacks that everyone should be aware of.
We recommend visiting the Binance website only from a saved bookmark, rather than entering its address into the browser every time. If you haven't already, bookmark our site now: https://www.binance.com. This way, you will protect yourself from ending up on fake Binance sites that can mislead you and steal your account credentials.
The Anti-Phishing Code feature allows you to set a unique code that will be added to all notification emails from Binance. By enabling the anti-phishing code, you can be confident that the email notifications you receive from Binance are genuine. Read our anti-phishing code guide to learn how to use it.
Want to learn more ways to avoid becoming a victim of phishing scams? Read our article “What is Phishing?”
6. Follow API Security Guidelines
The Binance API is designed for experienced traders to get the most out of trading on the Binance exchange by creating custom trading strategies.
However, using API keys comes with risks because you are allowing third-party apps to send your data. If you are using the Binance API, we recommend setting IP restrictions to only allow whitelisted IP addresses to access. Also change your API keys regularly and do not share them with others.
7. Use universal two-factor authentication (U2F)
Binance supports U2F-compatible authenticators such as Yubico YubiKey. These devices only provide account access when they are physically or wirelessly connected to your computer.
These authenticators work similarly to Google Authenticator, but instead of a program or app, you use a physical device to gain access. This means that you will need to have this device with you to log into your account.
Summary
Taking care of your Binance account security is very important. By following the simple steps we shared in our article, you will protect your account from hacking and prevent attackers from gaining access to your bitcoins and altcoins.
Want to check the current security level of your account? This can be done from the Security Panel. If you are using the Binance mobile app, go to your profile and open the Security section.
We also recommend reading our security articles on Binance Academy for even more useful information!
