Why keeping your seed phrase cold is important
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital assets, your seed phrase is the master key to your crypto kingdom. Discover why keeping your seed phrase cold should be your top priority.
Importance of Seed phrases
Your seed phrase is the master key to your crypto kingdom. This sequence of words, usually comprising 12 to 24 random terms, is not just a password; it’s the linchpin of your entire digital wealth. Lose or compromise your seed phrase, and you risk losing access to your digital assets permanently. In the world of crypto, where security is paramount, the significance of safeguarding your seed phrase cannot be overstated.
Attack Vectors in Hot Wallets
While Hot wallets provide an upgrade to centralized exchanges by allowing users to retain custody of their assets, they come with their own set of vulnerabilities. Software, no matter how secure, is always susceptible to online threats and hacking attempts. These attack vectors expose your seed phrases to potential risks -
1. Online Threats
Software wallets, despite their security measures, are susceptible to online threats such as phishing attacks, malware, and hacking attempts.
2. Vulnerabilities in Software
Any software, no matter how secure, inherently contains vulnerabilities. These can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to your seed phrase.
3. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Attackers can intercept communication between your device and the wallet, leading to potential compromise of your seed phrase.
4. Keyloggers and Screen Recorders
Malicious software can record keystrokes or capture screenshots, compromising your seed phrase as you enter it.
Cold Wallets
Cold wallets are used to store your crypto securely, isolated from the internet. Unlike hot wallets that are connected to the internet and susceptible to cyber vulnerabilities, cold wallets, in their various forms like hardware wallets or air-gapped solutions, operate in an offline or isolated environment. This isolation shields sensitive information, such as private keys and seed phrases, from the reach of potential attackers.
However, it’s essential to recognize that not all cold wallets provide a true air-gapped setup, potentially exposing them to certain vulnerabilities.
Enter AirGap
AirGap recognizes the need for airtight security in safeguarding your seed phrases. Instead of relying solely on software wallets, AirGap empowers you to convert a spare device into a cold wallet.
Here’s how it works
AirGap Vault — It’s installed on a spare device and all the connections are switched off. Thus, users can store their seed phrases in a completely air-gapped setup. Transaction signing (approving) takes place with the help of QR codes.
AirGap Wallet — It’s installed on your everyday phone. It’s a watch-only wallet where users can view their transactions and get an overview of their portfolio. Users can initiate transactions on this Wallet but transaction signing shall happen on the Vault app only.
This ingenious approach takes your security to the next level by creating an absolute air-gapped environment. With AirGap, your seed phrases remain secluded from online threats, residing in an impenetrable fortress created by this air-gapped setup.
Here’s how AirGap prevents the attack vectors present in software wallets
1. Prevents Online Threats
AirGap Vault operates in complete isolation from any online connectivity. With no physical or network connection, it remains impervious to online threats, providing a secure enclave for sensitive information.
2. Extremely low chances of vulnerabilities in Software
Being an open-source solution, AirGap has undergone rigorous audits to ensure the integrity of its codebase. This transparency allows the community to scrutinize and enhance the software, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit.
3. Eliminates the chances of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
AirGap’s communication protocol relies on QR codes. This method eliminates the possibility of man-in-the-middle attacks as the data is transferred visually through codes. Without a direct digital connection, intercepting or altering the transaction data becomes practically impossible.
4. Prevents Keyloggers and Screen Recorders
Seed phrase generation in AirGap occurs within an offline setup. This isolation ensures that the process is immune to keyloggers or screen recorders attempting to capture sensitive information. Without an online presence, there’s no digital trail for potential attackers to exploit.
Compare AirGap with other common Cold Wallets like Ledger, Trezor, or ColdCard and get convinced by its security-focused features:
https://support.airgap.it/airgap-vault/comparison-of-airgap-vault-with-other-hardware-wallets
Conclusion
Cold wallets provide a secure means of storing cryptocurrencies by keeping private keys and seed phrases offline, away from online threats. However, it’s crucial to note that not all cold wallets offer a true air-gapped setup, leaving them vulnerable to potential attacks. AirGap stands out by ensuring a genuine air-gapped environment, using innovative methods like QR code communication and secure seed phrase generation, offering a robust defense against various security risks.
Download AirGap
AirGap Wallet
📱 iOS — App Store
📱 Android — Google Play (GitHub APK)
💻 macOS
💻 Windows
💻 Linux
AirGap Vault
📱 iOS — App Store
📱 Android — Google Play (GitHub APK)
Interested in AirGap? Stay in touch.
