Revoking Token Permissions Is a Must-Do Security Practice

In today's world, malicious actors have a variety of ways to gain unauthorized access to funds. One of the major chinks in most users' armor is permissions.

In the burgeoning realm of cryptocurrency, where malicious actors are constantly devising new ways to gain unauthorized access to funds, security remains a paramount concern. As we navigate this evolving landscape, it’s crucial to be aware of the common pitfalls that users often fall prey to.

One major chink in the armor of most crypto users is an excess of permissions. Many users inadvertently grant too many permissions to platforms they barely use, or worse yet, malicious apps disguised as legitimate ones.

Once these permissions are granted, they tend to linger long after they’re needed, leaving the user’s wallet vulnerable to unnecessary risk.

To fully appreciate the importance of revoking old token permissions, let’s first understand what they are and how they work.

What Are Token Permissions?

When you connect your crypto wallet (e.g., MetaMask) to a dApp (decentralized application) like a decentralized exchange or a lending platform, you’re asked to approve a transaction.

This "approval" isn't just about agreeing to a swap or deposit; it's also about giving that dApp permission to access your tokens. Sometimes these permissions are set to an unlimited amount.

The process of granting token permissions occurs through smart contracts, which require your signature (e.g., MetaMask's password) to transfer your tokens in transactions like trading, staking, borrowing, or lending.

However, unlike traditional bank accounts, you need to manually revoke these permissions later; they don't expire on their own. This means that even if you’re done using the dApp, it could still access your tokens.

In any scenario where the dApp gets hacked (or was even malicious from the start), your funds are at risk.

Granting token permissions is like giving the plumber the keys to your house to fix a sink. When this task is done, you need to retrieve the keys. If you don'