Threat Model
Before securing assets, define the risks: device compromise, phishing, seed loss, social engineering, and custody failure. Defensive controls should mitigate these scenarios with layered safeguards.
Wallet Types
- Hot Wallets: Convenient, internet-connected, higher risk. Use for small, operational balances.
- Cold Wallets: Offline storage for long-term holdings; best defense against remote threats.
- Hardware Wallets: Purpose-built devices that keep private keys off your computer.
- Multisig: Requires multiple signatures; ideal for team treasuries or high-value personal storage.
Hardware Wallet Setup
- Buy from official vendors; verify package integrity.
- Initialize offline in a private environment; never photograph your seed phrase.
- Write down seed on archival paper or steel backups; store geographically separated.
- Test recovery on a spare device or test wallet before funding.
- Enable passphrase (25th word) for plausible deniability and extra security.
Seed Phrase Hygiene
- Never store seeds digitally (photos, cloud, email). Avoid printers and scanners.
- Use tamper-evident bags or safes; consider fire/water-resistant storage.
- Document recovery procedures and inheritance plans; refresh access audits quarterly.
Multisig Patterns
- 2-of-3 for personal high-value storage; distribute keys across devices and locations.
- 3-of-5 for organizations; include key rotation and emergency protocols.
- Avoid single points of failure; maintain key inventory and revocation procedures.
Operational Security (OpSec)
- Always verify URLs; bookmark official sites; use a dedicated browser profile.
- Check transaction details and contract addresses; revoke unnecessary approvals.
- Keep firmware and wallet software updated; enable device PIN and lockouts.
- Avoid public Wi‑Fi for signing transactions; use a VPN when necessary.
Backups and Recovery
- Maintain multiple seed backups, clearly labeled yet discreet.
- Periodically verify legibility and completeness; run recovery drills.
- Store emergency contacts and written steps for trusted heirs.
Common Mistakes
- Seed stored digitally or photographed.
- Reusing passwords across services.
- Ignoring firmware or browser updates.
- Blindly signing approvals from unknown dApps.
Emergency Procedures
If compromise is suspected: move funds immediately to a clean wallet, rotate approvals (use revocation tools), audit devices, and conduct a post‑mortem. For loss events, execute documented recovery steps without delay.
Checklist
- Hardware wallet initialized securely and tested.
- Seed phrase backed up in multiple secure locations.
- Multisig configured for high‑value holdings.
- Approvals audited and revoked where unnecessary.
- Recovery and inheritance plans documented.
Conclusion
Security is continuous. By adopting hardware wallets, multisig, seed hygiene, and well‑rehearsed backups, you materially reduce risk while keeping Trump Coin accessible when you need it most.