A Cryptocurrency Wallet is nothing but an application that works as a wallet for your Virtual Assets. It was named a wallet as it is similar to the traditional wallet in which you normally store your cash and cards.
The wallet stores the passkeys you normally use to sign in for your crypto transactions and gives the interface that allows you to access your virtual asset. In the initial days when crypto was introduced, cryptocurrency was sent through a manual task after entering long keys but now it is totally based on software and it allows the blockchain to be accessible to everyone.
If we talk about the history of cryptocurrency wallets then the first wallet belonged to the developer of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto and the second one belonged to the correspondent of the developer, Hal Finney.
During the trial of the wallet, Nakamoto reportedly sent 10 bitcoins to him which led to a revolution in the industry, and the craze related to cryptocurrency began after that.
The working mechanism of the crypto wallet
As mentioned earlier, wallets are software applications accessed over computers or mobile devices like phones, tablets, etc. An internet connection is required to access the blockchain network for using cryptocurrency.
As stated clearly, cryptocurrencies are not stored anywhere, instead, they are bits of data in a database scattered everywhere. Now, the wallet is responsible for finding all of the bits related to the public address estimates the amount, and shows it in the app’s interface.
If you want to send or receive cryptocurrency, then it is very easy to use through wallets. Firstly, you have to enter the details of the wallet address of the recipient then, choose a particular amount to send, and sign the transaction through your private key. After completing these steps, you have to pay the transaction fee and finally send it.
How to secure your wallet?
Securing your wallet is very important these days as cryptocurrencies are very prone to hacks and high-value targets. Some measures include encrypting the wallet by having a strong password, with two-factor authentication for exchanges, and keeping any large amount. Let’s discuss these measures one by one.
Getting a cold storage
Keeping your savings in hot storage is not a good option as it becomes risky as they are inclined to phishing and other related hacks. You can keep it in cold storage as it gives you actual control over your fund.
Only you can access it and no online manipulation is involved in it. Thus, it is advised to keep privately in a cold storage.
Use strong passwords
You have to make a strong password for your wallet and mostly you should try to make it unpredictable. As more unpredictable passwords makes your wallet more secure. Don’t use common password such as keeping your name, date of birth, etc, as it is very easy to predict and hack it. It will be very difficult for hackers to predict your password if it is strong.
Don’t get prone to unsecured websites
You have to keep an intense care of the security of your wallet. While keeping an extension or saving your password on your browser, you have to be extra cautious as some websites do not offer strong security. These websites are easily detectable as they often use HTTPS instead of HTTP.
Use a strong public network
Public network or Wi-Fi is easily available and can be accessed by anyone freely. But, it may come with certain security issues. There is a possibility of accessing data by public wi-fi owners after you get connected to it.
Using this data, the owners can threat you to get the details of your wallet and eventually sweep it by hacking it. Ensure to use a secured VPN while connecting to a public Wi-Fi network.