The potential for huge profits is undoubtedly there in cryptocurrency, but so is the risk of losing everything. That’s why it’s essential to know the different attacks that bad actors can launch against cryptocurrency investors. This article will discuss various attacks, including phishing, hacking, social engineering, ransomware, and many other larger-scale attacks. We will also discuss how to protect yourself from these attacks. Stay safe out there!

Different Types of Cryptocurrency Attack

There are many different types of attacks that malicious people can launch against cryptocurrency investors. Some of those attacks are personal, aimed at individuals; others are large-scale attacks looking to disrupt a whole blockchain network.

Personal Crypto Attacks

Cryptocurrency is designed to be secure, but that doesn’t mean it’s invulnerable. One of the most common risks investors face is the threat of a personal attack. Attackers can use various methods to target individuals, and their goals can range from stealing funds to simply disrupting the market.

While the methods and motives may vary, there are some common attack vectors that investors should be aware of. One of the most common is phishing when an attacker sends an email or other message that looks legitimate but is designed to trick the victim into revealing their private keys.

Personal attacks can take many forms, and new threats are constantly emerging. As such, it’s important for all cryptocurrency investors to be aware of their risks and take steps to protect themselves.

Types of Cryptocurrency Attack – Phishing

Phishing is an attack where the attacker tries to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as your login credentials or credit card number. For example, they may create a fake website that looks like a legitimate exchange or wallet service. Or they may send you an email that appears to be from a legitimate company but contains a link that goes to a fake website. Once they have your personal information, they can use it to steal your funds.

How to Protect Yourself Against Phishing Attacks

The best way to protect yourself against phishing attacks is to be aware of the red flags. Here are some tips:

• Make sure you are only logging into websites that you trust. Don’t click on any email links unless you are absolutely sure they are legitimate.
• Always check the website’s URL before entering any personal information. The URL should always start with “HTTPS,” and there should be a padlock icon in the browser window.
• If you suspect a website may be fake, do a Google search for reviews of that site.
• Never enter your login credentials or credit card information into a website that doesn’t have a secure connection (HTTPS).
• Use two-factor authentication whenever possible. That is an extra layer of security that requires you to provide a code sent to your phone or email address to log in.

Hacking

Hacking is another common attack, where the attacker gains access to your computer or phone and then uses it to steal your cryptocurrency. They may do this by installing malware on your device or using a technique called “brute force” to guess your password. Once they have access to your account, they can transfer your funds out of it.

How to Protect Yourself Against Hacking Attacks

The best way to protect yourself against hacking attacks is to use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication. You should also ensure that your device is up-to-date with the latest security patches. You should also be careful about where you download apps and software and only install apps from trusted sources.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is an attack where the attacker tries to trick you into giving them information or doing something that will help them steal your cryptocurrency. For example, they may call you, pretend to be from a legitimate company, and then try to get you to give them your login credentials. Or they may send you an email that appears to be from a friend or family member and contains a link that leads to a fake website.

How to Protect Yourself Against Social Engineering Attacks

The best way to protect yourself against social engineering attacks is to be aware of the red flags. Here are some tips:

• Be suspicious of any unsolicited phone calls or emails.
• Don’t click on any links unless you are absolutely sure they are legitimate.
• Always check the website’s URL before entering any personal information. The URL should always start with “HTTPS,” and there should be a padlock icon in the browser window.
• If you suspect a website may be fake, do not use it.
• Never enter your login credentials or credit card information into a website that doesn’t have a secure connection (HTTPS).
• Use two-factor authentication whenever possible. That is an extra layer of security that requires you to provide a code sent to your phone or email address to log in.

Some of the most prominent social engineering tactics currently used are on platforms such as Telegram, so always be aware of who you are talking to.

Ransomware

Ransomware is an attack where the attacker encrypts your files and then demands that you pay them a ransom in cryptocurrency to decrypt them. They may do this by installing malware on your device or by tricking you into clicking on a malicious link. Once they have encrypted your files, they will usually give you a time limit to pay the ransom, and if you don’t pay it within that time frame, they will delete your files.

How to Protect Yourself Against Ransomware Attacks

The best way to protect yourself against ransomware attacks is to back up your files regularly. That will ensure you can recover your files if they are encrypted by ransomware. You should also install antivirus software and keep it up-to-date. You should never open attachments or click on links in emails from unknown senders, and you should always check the website’s URL before entering any personal information.

These are just some of the most common attacks people can launch against cryptocurrency investors, with many other smaller-scale attacks that can also be undertaken.

Attacks on Blockchain Networks

There are also larger-scale attacks targeting exchanges or wallets, such as denial of service attacks or 51% attacks. We will now look through some of the most common types of large-scale attacks.

51% Attack

A 51% attack is when an attacker gains majority control of over 50% of the computing power used to mine a cryptocurrency, allowing them to rewrite the blockchain and steal funds from other users. It is also possible for them to prevent new transactions from being confirmed or even stop other miners from mining the currency.

The attacker doesn’t always have to be a single person. However, they need a single entity with a common goal. For example, if someone convinced a group of miners or node validators to take over 51% or more of the network, all funds can be transferred to another wallet, group of wallets, or blockchain.

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) Attack

BGP attacks are when someone takes over a group of internet addresses by changing the information in internet routing tables using the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), which is used to exchange routing information between different autonomous systems on the internet. By taking over a group of addresses, the attacker can redirect traffic intended for those addresses to their servers, allowing them to intercept cryptocurrency transactions and steal funds.

DDoS Attacks (Distributed Denial of Service)

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is when someone sends a large number of requests to a server to overwhelm it and cause it to crash. That can be done by using special software to send the requests or by infecting computers with malware that will allow the attacker to control them remotely. When the server crashes, it can’t process any transactions, which can cause investors to lose money.

DNS (Domain Name System) Attack

A Domain Name System (DNS) attack is when someone hijacks a domain name and redirects it to a different server. A DNS attack can be made by changing the information in the DNS servers or by infecting computers with malware that will allow the attacker to control them remotely. When the domain name is redirected, it can cause investors to lose money, as they will be directed to a different server where the attacker has control.

Dusting Attack

A dusting attack is when an attacker sends a small amount of cryptocurrency to many different addresses to deanonymize them. By doing this, they can track the transactions in which the addresses are involved and find out who owns them. This can be used to identify people who hold cryptocurrency investments, and it can also be used to track the movements of funds.

Eclipse Attack

An eclipse attack is when an attacker takes control of a large number of nodes in a cryptocurrency network and prevents other users from being able to send or receive transactions by taking over the nodes or convincing the nodes’ owners to join the attack. When the network is in this state, it is known as an eclipse.

The attacker can then use the network to their advantage, for example, by double-spending funds, disrupting mining power, or preventing other users from accessing their funds.

Goldfinger Attack

The Goldfinger attack is named after the villain who wanted to increase the price of his gold holdings by decreasing the value of other gold. A Goldfinger attack on cryptocurrency (generally Bitcoin) is similar to the 51% attack but by attackers outside the cryptocurrency economy who want to see its destruction by shorting many positions.

While the transaction cost is likely too high for most attackers to successfully carry out a Goldfinger attack, there are plausible reasons to believe that Government agencies may have the ability and wish to do so.

Hard Fork

A hard fork attack is when a hacker exploits a vulnerability in the code of a cryptocurrency to split the currency into two separate chains. That can be done for various reasons, such as to create a new cryptocurrency with more generous rewards or sabotage the original currency.

Hard forks can also be used to roll back transactions that have already been made, which can be very useful for criminals who have stolen funds.

Sybil Attack

A Sybil attack is when an attacker creates many fake identities to gain control of a cryptocurrency network. This can be done by infecting computers with malware that allows the attacker to create multiple identities. Alternatively, the attackers may buy stolen identities online for the same reason. When the attacker has control of a large number of nodes, they can prevent other users from being able to send or receive transactions. They can also use the network to their advantage, for example, by double-spending funds, disrupting mining power, or preventing other users from accessing their funds.

Wallet Attack

A wallet attack is when someone obtains access to a cryptocurrency user’s wallet and steals their funds by stealing the user’s login details, infecting their computer with malware that will allow the attacker to take control of their wallet, or by hacking into the exchanges where the user has stored their funds.

However, in terms of a large-scale cryptocurrency attack, a wallet attack is usually designated as a large leak of wallet IDs because of other attacks such as DNS attacks or remote code injection.

How to Protect Against Large-Scale Attacks

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself against large-scale attacks:

• Only invest in cryptocurrencies with robust security measures, such as two-factor authentication and multi-signature wallets.
• Use a reputable cryptocurrency exchange that has a good security record.
• Store your cryptocurrency in a secure wallet, such as a hardware wallet.
• Keep your software up to date, and install security updates as soon as they are released.
• Be aware of the risks of holding cryptocurrency, and ensure you understand how to protect your investment.

Conclusion

While cryptocurrencies are often thought of as being secure, they are actually vulnerable to a variety of attacks. These attacks can be carried out by anyone with the motivation and resources to do so and can have a devastating effect on the currency.

However, you can take steps to protect yourself against these attacks, and if you are aware of the risks involved in holding cryptocurrency, you can ensure you understand how to protect your investment.