You know that Guarda Wallet has got you covered on the safety part with our encrypted backups, crypto wallet security tips and guides and more. However, there can never be a case when more information on how to keep your wallet bulletproof is extra. In this guide, we will list some tips on how to make sure your cryptocurrency storage on Guarda is protected at all times.

The access to your wallet created on Guarda is granted by a combination of your backup (encrypted file containing your private keys) and password. This is the approach we have chosen for a reason — 2FA provided by having multiple elements needed for the wallet access is already an extra security layer on top of your crypto wallet.

We are a non-custodial service, so we never store the copies of either backups or passwords as well as do not have access to your private keys. The user remains the only person in charge of their funds at all times — the system of custody-free storage remains the most reliable way of storing crypto funds. You can read more about passwords and backups in our wallet guides, but here we will mention other, more global points for secure cryptocurrency wallet management.

1. Manage your crypto wallet from trustworthy devices

First of all, it is important to make sure you are downloading the wallet from a reliable source. Unfortunately, the blockchain space is not only filled with awesome coin foundations and friendly crypto friends, but also some people willing to harm unsuspecting users. So, when downloading an application or going to the wallet’s website, be sure to check up whether it is a valid source. For Guarda Wallet, the real website is always https://guarda.co/ — use the links provided there to ensure secure access.

After you have made sure the wallet you are about to download is the original one, proceed to step two — think about your device. Have you ever had a suspicion that your laptop or smartphone has malware? Hopefully, not. Please make sure to install the cryptocurrency storage on “clean” devices.

2. Never share your wallet

The very essential rule of crypto management — no matter how much you trust the person, do not share your wallet data with them. The most basic guideline here would be — keep your backup and password out of the public eye (well, at least not online on the cloud). Of course, the same applies to separate private keys. In case somebody asks you to share your private key or backup in a public space (for instance, in a community chat) — never send them over. The real employees of Guarda will never do anything like that.

3. Use extra security layers

For those really wanting to step up their crypto safety game — you can choose to diversify and keep some of the assets on a hardware wallet. Guarda and Ledger integration is of great help here, too, as you can manage the assets from the convenience of our interface, but also with extra cold wallet security.

4. Update your backups

Keeping your backups in order is necessary as long as you want to keep your wallet secure and up-to-date. A backup includes all the keys and assets associated with Guarda Wallet. Make sure to always save backup, private keys and password because Guarda does not keep your backups for security reasons. The backup file is updated anytime you import or add a new wallet.

5. Enable Automatic log out

When switching from Guarda to other apps or hiding a wallet, it is important to remember basic security. Here, you can activate the 30-second automatic logout for each session.

Log me out if inactive for 30 seconds ON/OFF

Activate a 30-seconds automatic logout session to easily switch between applications or hide the wallet. If inactive, Guarda Wallet will log out immediately after each session.

Now let’s summarize what we’ve talked about. These 5 points are the essentials for secure cryptocurrency wallet usage. To put it all in short terms, this is your due diligence to keep your coins protected — the rest is on us. We’ll provide a smooth, easy-to-use interface and exceptional security system for your storage and all you need to do is be rational and follow these basic safety rules.