How to keep your NFTs safe from hackers?

Secure Your Wallet Infrastructure

1. Use hardware wallets exclusively for high-value NFT holdings—devices like Ledger or Trezor isolate private keys from internet-connected systems.

2. Avoid storing seed phrases on cloud services, screenshots, or unencrypted text files—physical metal backups remain the most resilient option.

3. Never enter your recovery phrase into any website, even if it claims to be an official marketplace or wallet interface.

4. Enable multi-signature requirements where supported—this adds a critical layer of authorization before any transfer can execute.

5. Disable browser extensions that inject scripts into decentralized applications unless they are audited and maintained by trusted developers.

Avoid Phishing and Social Engineering Traps

1. Bookmark only verified URLs of NFT platforms—never click links from DMs, emails, or third-party Discord announcements.

2. Scrutinize every domain name: look for subtle typos such as “opensea.io” versus “opensea.i0” or “looksrare.org” versus “looksraree.org”.

3. Refuse unsolicited offers of free NFTs, airdrops, or “urgent security updates”—these almost always trigger wallet connection requests leading to approval of malicious contracts.

4. Verify Twitter and Discord accounts through official project websites—not reverse image searches or follower counts.

5. Treat every “verify your wallet” prompt as inherently suspicious unless initiated directly from your own trusted interface.

Review Smart Contract Interactions Carefully

1. Always inspect transaction details before signing—even minor gas fee discrepancies may indicate hidden logic in the contract call.

2. Use tools like Etherscan’s “Read Contract” tab to check if an NFT collection has renounced ownership or paused transfers—unaudited or upgradeable contracts pose serious risks.

3. Reject approvals to unknown or outdated marketplaces; revoke unused allowances via sites like Revoke.cash or EOA.tools.

4. Confirm whether a minting contract has undergone formal audit reports from firms such as CertiK, OpenZeppelin, or ConsenSys Diligence.

5. Avoid interacting with contracts deployed via proxy patterns without transparent governance history or verifiable source code.

Manage Account Access Rigorously

1. Separate wallets strictly by function: one for trading, another for long-term holding, and a third for experimental dApps.

2. Never reuse passwords across platforms—even centralized exchanges and social media accounts linked to your wallet represent potential entry points.

3. Enable two-factor authentication on all custodial accounts using authenticator apps instead of SMS-based verification.

4. Monitor wallet activity regularly through blockchain explorers—unexpected approvals or token transfers should trigger immediate investigation.

5. Freeze or disconnect connected dApps after each session rather than leaving persistent permissions active indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I recover my NFTs if I accidentally approve a malicious contract?Recovery is nearly impossible once the contract executes a transfer. Most exploits rely on pre-approved allowances, so revoking permissions proactively is essential.

Q: Is it safe to use MetaMask on mobile devices?Mobile versions lack certain security features present in desktop builds, including extension isolation and advanced permission controls. Hardware wallet integration remains limited on mobile, increasing exposure.

Q: Do DNS-based domain names like .eth addresses prevent phishing?No. ENS domains themselves are secure, but attackers frequently register lookalike names (e.g., “opensea.eth” vs “opensea1.eth”) and host counterfeit interfaces.

Q: Are NFTs stored on the blockchain inherently safe from deletion?The token standard and metadata URI are immutable once deployed, but off-chain metadata hosted on centralized servers can vanish—always verify IPFS or Arweave hosting for critical assets.