The rapid rise of the cryptocurrency market has led to a substantial increase in merchants accepting bitcoin (BTC) payments. This is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs, but it also means that they must be wary of cyberattacks and hacks being perpetrated by malicious actors. How can you help protect your business? Read on to understand how you can ensure when accepting BTC payments for your business.
Practice Proper Security
No matter what you’re doing, practicing good cybersecurity is the best way to ensure that your business remains secure. To start, make sure you always keep up with updates from vendors of any software that your business uses. If a new update comes out, download it as soon as possible and implement it immediately. It is also crucial that you keep your devices secure by keeping them up to date and use antivirus software on all of them. If you are unsure of how to do any of this, it might be best not to deal with cryptocurrencies until you learn the proper security practices.
Use Cold Storage
You should only keep the cryptocurrencies you plan to use for spending in hot storage. That way, if your wallet is compromised, hackers gain access to your entire cryptocurrency stash instead of just what you’re planning on using at that particular moment. You can then retrieve them when you want to buy bitcoin or buy gift cards with cryptocurrencies in bulk. While it might be convenient to leave the bulk of your cryptocurrency stored in a hot wallet, doing so will leave you much more exposed to cybercriminals. Your cryptocurrency must be stored in cold storage, which can reduce the chance of a hack by up to 60 percent.
Make Password Security a Priority
Whether you are buying gift cards online or settling a transaction, you should prioritize creating strong passwords for your accounts and using two-factor authentication. If a password you’ve used for your cryptocurrency wallet is compromised, having 2FA will help ensure that no one can access your account with those credentials. Make sure to use different passwords for everything as well so that if someone guesses or cracks their way into one of your accounts, they won’t be able to access everything and cause further damage.
Use A VPN to Stay Secure on Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is never safe because it allows cybercriminals to intercept your data and use man-in-the-middle attacks to access your accounts. You can keep this from happening by using a reputable virtual private network (VPN). A VPN will encrypt all of your traffic and prevent cybercriminals from stealing anything on your network. Always use one when you’re surfing the web with public Wi-Fi or using it at any business that lets internet users connect for free.
Use encrypted messaging apps
Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, which means that you can never recover money that has been stolen. It is a little challenging to tell when you buy cryptocurrencies or BTC due to the system’s setting. This makes it so important to use encrypted messaging apps like Telegram when talking about cryptocurrency with other parties. If you ever discover anything suspicious or needed advice on how to buy cryptocurrencies securely, seek information from sources you trust using an encrypted messaging app.
Understand the Inherent Risks of BTC Transactions
BTC can be used without understanding its technical intricacies, but it’s still important to be aware of the risks. For example, there is always a chance someone could lose their private key or have their account hacked into by malicious actors. This means that you must store all customer funds in cold storage, which can only be accessed via an offline device. Make sure that your business doesn’t keep more than it needs in hot storage so that your hot wallet is only used for cryptocurrency transactions.
Look Into Anti-Phishing Tools
One of the most effective ways for hackers to access your business’s funds is by using phishing attacks. These are carried out by sending customers a fraudulent email that looks identical to their usual payment requests, resulting in money being sent from your hot wallet to a hacker-owned address. You can prevent this from happening by investing in anti-phishing software that screens all incoming messages for signs of tampering. It is a perfect way to protect yourself and the business as you accept bitcoin payments.
Conclusion
Since BTC transactions are irreversible, entrepreneurs need to understand the inherent risks of these types of payments. This includes evaluating your current security protocols and looking into ways to minimize your exposure to cyber threats. By adhering to the best practices outlined here, you should be able to secure your business against possible threats.