Essential Insights:
In the first half of 2025, more than $2.4 billion has been stolen, already exceeding the total thefts of 2024.
Common threats like phishing, unauthorized approvals, and fake “support” accounts inflict greater damage than sophisticated attacks.
Implementing robust 2FA, cautious signing procedures, hot/cold wallet differentiation, and using secure devices significantly mitigates risk.
Establishing a recovery plan—complete with revocation tools, support contacts, and reporting portals—can transform an error into a minor setback rather than a disaster.
The frequency of crypto hacks continues to escalate. In the initial six months of 2025 alone, over $2.4 billion was reported stolen across more than 300 incidents, outpacing all thefts recorded in 2024.
A significant incident, the Bybit breach linked to North Korean entities, inflated the figures but should not overshadow the broader issue.
The majority of everyday losses stem from straightforward traps: phishing schemes, malicious wallet approvals, SIM swap attacks, and counterfeit “support” accounts.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a cybersecurity specialist to enhance your safety. A few essential habits (which can be established in just minutes) can greatly diminish your risk.
Here are seven critical habits for 2025.
1. Eliminate SMS: Use phishing-resistant 2FA universally
If you’re still using SMS codes for account security, you’re at risk.
SIM-swap attacks remain a prevalent method for criminals draining wallets, with millions of dollars being seized by law enforcement.
The more secure alternative is phishing-resistant two-factor authentication (2FA), such as hardware security keys or platform passkeys.
Start by securing your most vital accounts: email, exchanges, and password managers.
U.S. cybersecurity agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, emphasize this because it helps ward off phishing attempts and “push-fatigue” scams that exploit weaker forms of multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Combine this with long, unique passphrases (length is more important than complexity), store backup codes offline and on exchanges, and enable withdrawal allowlists so funds can only be sent to addresses you control.
Did you know? Phishing attacks targeting crypto users surged by 40% in the first half of 2025, with fraudulent exchange sites being a major avenue.
2. Signing practices: Prevent drainers and toxic approvals
Most losses come not from advanced exploits but rather from a single negligent approval.
Wallet drainers deceive users into granting extensive permissions or authorizing fraudulent transactions. Once you sign, they can repeatedly deplete your funds without further consent.
Your best defense is to slow down: meticulously read every signing request, especially if you encounter terms like “setApprovalForAll,” “Permit/Permit2,” or an unrestricted “approve.”
If you’re experimenting with new decentralized applications (DApps), consider using a burner wallet for mints or high-risk interactions, while keeping your main assets in a secure vault. Regularly revoke unused approvals using tools like Revoke.cash—it’s user-friendly and worth the minor transaction fee.
Research indicates a significant increase in thefts driven by drainers, particularly on mobile devices. Good signing habits can prevent issues before they arise.
3. Hot vs. cold: Keep spending separate from savings
Think of wallets in the same way you view bank accounts.
A hot wallet is like your checking account—suitable for transactions and app interactions.
A hardware or multisig wallet serves as your vault—designed for secure, long-term storage.
Storing your private keys offline virtually eliminates exposure to malware and dangerous websites.
For long-term savings, document your seed phrase on paper or in steel—never save it on a phone, computer, or cloud service.
Test your recovery procedure with a small restoration before transferring significant funds. If comfortable with added security, you might consider a BIP-39 passphrase, but be aware that losing it means losing access forever.
For larger amounts or shared assets, multisig wallets require signatures from two or three different devices before any transaction can be validated, making theft or unauthorized access considerably more challenging.
Did you know? In 2024, compromises of private keys accounted for 43.8% of all stolen crypto funds.
4. Device and browser maintenance
The security of your device setup is crucial, just like your wallet.
Regular updates fix vulnerabilities that attackers exploit, so enable automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and wallet applications, and restart when necessary.
Limit browser extensions—many high-profile thefts have stemmed from hijacked or malicious add-ons. Using a dedicated browser or profile specifically for crypto transactions helps prevent cookies, sessions, and logins from leaking into your everyday online activities.
Users of hardware wallets should turn off blind signing by default, as it obscures transaction details and exposes you to undue risk if misled.
Whenever feasible, perform sensitive actions on a clean desktop rather than a phone with multiple apps installed. Aim for a streamlined, updated setup with minimal potential vulnerabilities.
5. Double-check before sending: Addresses, networks, contracts
The quickest way to lose crypto is by sending it to the incorrect destination. Always verify both the recipient address and the network before clicking “send.”
For first-time transfers, initiate a small test transaction (the additional fee is worth the reassurance). When dealing with tokens or non-fungible tokens (NFTs), ensure you’re using the correct contract by consulting the project’s official site, reputable aggregators like CoinGecko, and explorers like Etherscan.
Look for verified code or ownership indicators before interacting with any contract. Never manually type a wallet address—always copy and paste it, and confirm the first and last characters to prevent clipboard swaps. Avoid copying addresses directly from your transaction history, as dusting attacks or faked entries may mislead you into reusing a compromised address.
Be vigilant with “airdrop claim” websites, particularly those asking for atypical permissions or cross-chain actions. If anything seems suspicious, pause and verify the link through official project channels. If you’ve previously granted dubious approvals, revoke them immediately before proceeding.
6. Defend against social engineering: Scams involving romance, tasks, impersonation
The most substantial crypto scams often rely on human manipulation rather than technical vulnerabilities.
Romance and pig-butchering schemes create false relationships and utilize counterfeit trading dashboards to display fabricated profits, pressuring victims into depositing more or paying fake “release fees.”
Job scams usually start with friendly messages on WhatsApp or Telegram, offering micro-tasks and small payouts that evolve into deposit schemes. Impersonators claiming to be “support staff” may attempt to screen share or trick you into revealing your seed phrase.
The telltale sign is always the same: genuine support will never ask for your private keys, direct you to a lookalike site, or request payments through Bitcoin ATMs or gift cards. As soon as you detect these warning signs, sever all communication immediately.
Did you know? Deposits into pig-butchering scams spiked by approximately 210% year-over-year in 2024, even as the average deposit amount declined.
7. Be prepared for recovery: Make mistakes manageable
Even the most vigilant individuals can make errors. The distinction between a disaster and a successful recovery lies in your preparation.
Maintain a compact offline “break-glass” card containing your key recovery resources: verified exchange support links, a trusted revocation tool, and official reporting portals like the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Should something go awry, compile transaction hashes, wallet addresses, amounts, timestamps, and screenshots in your report. Investigators frequently link multiple cases through these shared specifics.
You may not regain funds right away, but having a plan ready can convert a total loss into a manageable mishap.
If the worst occurs: Steps to take next
If you’ve accidentally clicked a malicious link or sent funds by error, act swiftly. Transfer any remaining assets to a secure wallet that you fully control, and then revoke old permissions using trusted tools like Etherscan’s Token Approval Checker or Revoke.cash.
Change your passwords, switch to phishing-resistant 2FA, log out of all other sessions, and review your email settings for any unauthorized forwarding or filtering rules.
Next, escalate the situation: Contact your exchange to flag the destination addresses and file a report with IC3 or your local regulatory body. Include transaction hashes, wallet addresses, timestamps, and screenshots; these details assist investigators in linking cases, even if recovering your funds takes time.
The key takeaway is straightforward: Seven foundational habits (strong MFA, careful signing practices, separating hot and cold wallets, maintaining clean devices, verifying before sending, being vigilant against social engineering, and having a recovery plan) effectively counteract most everyday crypto threats.
Take the first step: Upgrade your 2FA and refine your signing habits today, and then gradually build from there. A little preparation now can prevent catastrophic losses down the road in 2025.
This article does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trading decisions carry risks; readers should conduct their own research when making financial decisions.
