Here are 12 tips to secure your seed sentence and sleep in peace

The question of security and protection of your cryptocurrencies should be at the center of your concerns. We know this can be confusing for a beginner because it involves personal management of one's assets, something that is not required in traditional finance.

More specifically, to have access to your funds, one of the most important elements to protect and secure is your seed phrase (or mnemonic phrase). This is usually made up of 12 or 24 words and is what you get when you create a crypto wallet.

We repeat to you that you should not disclose this sentence, because it gives access to your funds. However, we also tell you that it must be protected from the various risks of theft, etc.

This can be destabilizing. We know it. However, there are simple rules to properly protect your cryptocurrencies. We have decided here to list a list of basic but sufficient tips that will help you protect your seed phrase according to the rules of the art.

Of course, there are much more sophisticated ones that require a certain technical skill which we plan to'eexplain in a dedicated article.

What is a mnemonic phrase?

A mnemonic phrase, commonly called a "seed phrase", is a phrase made up of a series of 12,18, 24 or XNUMX words. The order of the words is important and you must write them down in the order indicated when you registered.

This seed phrase is generated when you create a new wallet. It's actually a world-readable representation of your wallet's private key that was proposed by the community in the BIP39. This then makes it easier to read and save the private key which is otherwise written in a list of alphanumeric characters that are difficult to remember.

So, it is with this seed phrase that you can access your wallet and even restore it if your device has been lost, stolen or damaged.

You should know that many people think that by having a hardware wallet (called cold wallet or even physical wallet), of the Ledger type or the open source wallets like Jade, this is enough to protect cryptocurrencies.

However, remember that hardware wallets are simply devices for managing your keys and completing transactions. This prevents you from leaving the keys on an online wallet too, which is more susceptible to hacking.

That said, even if you have a physical wallet, the most important thing is to protect your seed phrase. If you lose your wallet, you can restore your wallet on another device without problem using your seed phrase. So, understand that this is clearly the most important part to protect.

Note: Phrase terms Mnemonic, secret code, Seed, or recovery phrase refer to the same terminology.

1/ Divide your seed sentence into several parts

Typically, a wallet is generated with a unique signature. This means that we have only one seed phrase. However, one of the most well-known methods of securing your seed phrase is to divide it into several parts. For example, you have a seed sentence of 24 words and you decide to divide it into two parts of 12 words. Don't forget to number the sequence so you can easily put your sentence in order.

From there, you will need to store your different seed "pieces" in different, distinct locations. Indeed, if you have your different elements of your seed phrase in the same place, a thief will be able to easily access your wallet by having the different elements of your phrase.

However, this method is also not perfect because if you lose part of the seed phrase, then your entire seed phrase is permanently lost.

2/ Have multiple backups in different locations

Of all the tips and methods to secure your crypto-assets, this is clearly the one to remember and practice.

You need several places to store your seed phrase! Even if you have noted a high quality titanium metal plate on it, it can be stolen. It's even very easy to steal because a metal plate is light and can be stored in a pants pocket.

The best way to protect yourself is to have several backups of your seed phrase which will be stored in different locations.. Even if you lose one of your phases (lost, stolen, lost in the ocean, destroyed, etc.), you are sure to find your seed phrase in the other place.

Ideally, for better redundancy, you can place them with trusted family members, in your office or in a bank safe. Having three different locations seems like an ideal option.

3/ Use a secret phrase (passphrase)

If you have a single signature wallet but you have a passphrase, then you are naturally adding an extra layer of protection. A passphrase or (passphrase) is a password created using a string of words rather than random characters like a 100 character password. The phrase "JAIMEZONEBITCOIN" for example could be a passphrase.

In fact, this passphrase is configured when you create your wallet. Not all wallets offer this option, but hardware wallets like Ledger or Bitbox offer it.

To be able to access your wallet, you will then need your seed phrase but also the passphrase that you have chosen beforehand.

Here again, the ideal is not to put your seed phrase and your passphrase in the same place.

Be careful however, by adding a passphrase, you also add an element to protect in addition to your seed phrase. If you lose it, you also lose access to your accounts…

4/ Opt for a multi-signature wallet

This is an option appreciated by some large hodlers and involves having multi-signature wallets. This type of wallet requires multiple signatures to authorize transactions. It is possible to create a wallet of 2 or 3 multi-signatures.

Again, like splitting your seed phrase, you minimize the risk of having a single point of failure.

It is possible to create multi-signature wallets on hardware wallets or on online wallets like BlueWallet ou Key.Casa for example.

5/ Engrave your seed phrase on a metal plate

Engrave your seed phrase on a metal plate is a safe method, because the metal plate is resistant to natural disasters, such as floods or fire risks, for example.

This is of course a sustainable method and much more robust than saving your seed phrase on a piece of paper. Indeed, the ink can disappear or fade over time, for example. Likewise, paper can be destroyed in a fire or flood.

There are several models of metal plates with different alloys. The strongest metals remain crypto metal plates in titanium like HodlrEg.

However, keep in mind that this does not protect you from theft and burglary, for example…

–>Read the article: Here are metal plates to engrave your seed phrase for centuries

6/ Have a safe at home or in a company

This is the good old method used by previous generations but may be relevant if you have other important documents to keep, jewelry,or or any other valuable things.

You can have a safe in your home, which is however well hidden and securely attached to the walls to simply prevent a robber from taking off with the safe.

The other solution is to use a safe within a bank. It is a more expensive service but one of the most secure available. There year-round rental of a small bank safe costs between $90 and $130.

However, even if it is a rather secure method, it is rather funny to leave your private keys and other cryptographic treasures in a bank….

7/ Have backups on physical devices

Some people prefer to use USB sticks to write down their seed sentences. This may be an option but remember that physical devices can deteriorate.

There is also an option to use a smartphone which will act as a backup for these private keys. This is an interesting option that you can use as long as you follow the basic rules such as disconnecting your smartphone from the Internet. So, you absolutely must deactivate wifi and bluetooth and even your smartphone in airplane mode.

Also don't forget to put a Pin code which will erase all data if it is entered incorrectly many times.

Although this is an interesting option because we often have an old phone, remember once again that your device can be damaged over time or simply be stolen.

8/ Check your physical devices regularly

Even if you want to be a hodler in the long term and not touching your cryptocurrencies for a certain time, you still need to carry out checks.

Check that you have your backups of your seed sentences, check the physical state of your devices such as your hardware wallets.

Ballet hardware is also subject to planned obsolescence and most likely, your battery will die after a few years. It is even inevitable. Moreover, this is the big disadvantage of hardware wallets that we really need to be aware of, despite the numerous promotions that fail to talk about it.

Likewise, companies that manufacture hardware wallets can go bankrupt and file for bankruptcy. These remain companies with the same growth issues as traditional companies.

In cases of bankruptcy, companies that manufacture hardware wallets have provided transmissions and means of recovering accounts, etc.

However, we must remain vigilant. Do not trust and perhaps it would be good to favor open source hardware wallet because this means that the software will always be – absolutely – online and accessible for recovery and updates carried out by the community.

Stay vigilant, do not trust sellers and promoters of any kind. Do some regular checks on your storage methods.

9/ Spread your funds across several portfolios

This is a very common method among crypto investors which simply consists of multiplying portfolios. We are not talking here about multi-signature wallets but due to having several different portfolios.

You can even combine the two options for even more security (and less hassle too).

For example, you will have x bitcoin in a Jade physical wallet, including crypto in a Ledger or SeedSigner wallet if you prefer (and it is recommended) open source wallets. You vary the amounts and locations of storage in order to reduce the risk of a total loss of your cryptocurrencies.

You can also opt for digital wallets but be sure to choose non-custodial wallets like Electrum or Sparrow Wallet.

You also have secure wallets for major accounts like Key.Casa for example.

The idea here is to multiply the wallets in case one is attacked. Be careful, because this also means that you will also have more keys to protect….

—>Read the article: The 6 best “Open Source” wallets to store your bitcoins and cryptos

10/ Protect your sheets and your backups with simple solutions

Some people prefer simple methods and don't want to have metal plates. This is understandable and everyone is still free to do what they want, right?

In this case, you can opt for what are called fireproof pouches which are fire resistant and. which are also waterproof.

This is an ideal option if you have multiple wallets and can't afford to have dozens and dozens of metal plates. This is also suitable if you have important documents.

-> View fire-resistant cases and pouches on Amazon.

11/ Delegate the “custody” of your keys to a third party

Generally speaking, you will always be pushed to become responsible for managing your keys. One of the adages that is the DNA of the Bitcoin ecosystem is to say "Don't Trust, Verify". It is even one of the essential components of Bitcoin, namely the non-need to rely on a trusted third party to carry out operations.

However, despite the ethics and good values, it is entirely possible that you are not able to keep your keys yourself for various legitimate reasons.

In this case, and only in this case, know that there are solutions that allow you to delegate the management of your keys.

This be a password manager from a private company like HyperVault which is renowned for the robustness of company password management. You can also entrust the delegation of your private keys to third-party services specialized in cryptocurrencies as offered by the company Vault, which also deals with issues related to the inheritance of its crypto assets.

This is precisely the subject of the following tip.

12/ Prepare the succession and inheritance of your cryptocurrencies

Whether you are rich or poor, as you know, nothing is taken to the grave. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the succession of your crypto portfolios.

There are several ways to do this, such as a sealed will, or the possibility of going through a company dedicated to the inheritance of cryptocurrencies like the company Vault12 for example.

As an investor, you can designate a person (the executor or the beneficiary directly) to inherit the crypto-asset portfolio after your death…

Final Word on Protecting Your Mnemonic Phrase

As you have just seen in this article, although there are robust methods for securing your seed phrases, there is no absolutely foolproof method.

You must also know how to control your fears and not fall into paranoia. Some people are more suspicious than others and it is good to choose a method that you feel comfortable with.

Me, for example, I know that I like notebooks or metal plates with my seed sentences that I have placed in different places and secured in fireproof cases which I found on Amazon. For the question of inheritance, I am preparing another more detailed article for you.

Everyone will prefer one solution over another and the important thing is that your cryptocurrencies are safe.

👋 Here is a very good article written by @VincentBounce which might interest you and which covers the subject of the security of your cryptocurrencies:

- " Storing and transmitting your cryptocurrencies » on Medium

If you want to share your methods, feel free to do so under the comments section.