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If you're a customer of @BTCMarkets you might be wondering what steps you can take to improve your security practices and secure your assets. I've set out below 5 steps you should consider taking to protect yourself, whether you are a customer of BTCM or any other exchange
1. Your immediate priority should be to log in to your account and enable 2FA. This will help to secure your account in case of an attempted "password spray attack" or fraudulent impersonator.
BTCM has an article on 2FA here: https://support.btcmarkets.net/hc/en-us/articles/360001307907-Two-Factor-Authentication-Step-by-Step-Guide
BTCM has an article on 2FA here: https://support.btcmarkets.net/hc/en-us/articles/360001307907-Two-Factor-Authentication-Step-by-Step-Guide
2. To further reduce the likelihood of these attacks, you should also make sure that you are using a strong and private passphrase as your account password.
The Australian Government provides advice on best practice passphrases here:
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/publications/creating-strong-passphrases
The Australian Government provides advice on best practice passphrases here:
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/publications/creating-strong-passphrases
3. Once you've undertaken steps 1 and 2, you should also consider changing the email address that is associated with your BTCM account.
Instructions from BTCM: https://support.btcmarkets.net/hc/en-us/articles/360030777934-Change-email-address
Instructions from BTCM: https://support.btcmarkets.net/hc/en-us/articles/360030777934-Change-email-address
4. Following step 3, in the future you should then disregard any emails that appear to be from BTCM that are sent to your old account, to reduce the likelihood of being scammed via a "phishing attack"
Learn about phishing attacks here:
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/threats/phishing
Learn about phishing attacks here:
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/threats/phishing
4a. Keep an eye on BTC Market's official social media channels for updates on the current situation:
Twitter - @BTCMarkets
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/btcmarkets/
LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/company/btc-markets
Twitter - @BTCMarkets
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/btcmarkets/
LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/company/btc-markets
5. Following #1-4, there are additional steps you can take to secure your assets for the longer-term. Scams and theft are genuine threats, so take the time to learn about the biggest risks and best defences.
To start, learn to safely "custody" your assets. More on this below.
To start, learn to safely "custody" your assets. More on this below.
Bitcoin in particular has a strong culture of self-custody, so you might consider consulting your friendly local neighbourhood Bitcoiner for tips on how to get started. If you are wanting to talk to real humans, the best place to start asking questions in Oz is @ministryofnodes.
Well-known hardware wallets for beginners include @Trezor and @Ledger.
"Shared custody" using these devices is also a great approach worth considering if you need assistance - check out @CasaHODL and @unchainedcap who can hold your hand through the process.
"Shared custody" using these devices is also a great approach worth considering if you need assistance - check out @CasaHODL and @unchainedcap who can hold your hand through the process.
As a general resource, to access the most comprehensive info on security and custody, it doesn't get much better than http://lopp.net - a one-stop-shop covering every potential question you could conceive of! https://www.lopp.net/bitcoin-information/security.html
Now, for more dedicated users, it would be remiss of me not to mention Michael Flaxman ( @mflaxman) - the King of bitcoin security. If you are already on board with self-custody but you want to deepen your understanding, listen to him on eps 97 & 215 of the @stephanlivera podcast
Remember, scams are continually evolving. To keep yourself safe online, stay up to date with advice from the ACCC and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
A few links:
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/the-little-black-book-of-scams
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/advice/email-and-texts
A few links:
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/the-little-black-book-of-scams
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/advice/email-and-texts
Do you have any other tips, or questions? Post below and I'll do my best to assist 
and finally, remember to stay safe and have fun out there! Learning about new technology is a rewarding lifelong journey - take your time, but always aim to improve your skills and practices.
and finally, remember to stay safe and have fun out there! Learning about new technology is a rewarding lifelong journey - take your time, but always aim to improve your skills and practices.
