Trade safely: Simple habits to keep your coins protected

Crypto gives you plenty of opportunities. While that’s empowering, it also means a mistaken click or weak password can be costly. The good news is that a handful of simple habits block most threats to stay safe on EXMO and anywhere else you touch crypto.

Step 1 — Fortify your login procedure

Your login is the front door to your funds, so make it sturdy. A strong password and a second factor stop most attacks before they start, and passkeys add an extra, phishing-resistant layer. Do this once, and future you will thank you.

What to set up right now:
▪️Strong, unique password: use a long passphrase or random string via a password manager; never reuse it.
▪️2FA (authenticator app): store backup codes safely and avoid SMS where possible; on EXMO, enable in Settings→ Security; more on authenticator here.
▪️Passkeys: add Face ID, fingerprint, secure PIN, iCloud Keychain and USB key for phishing-resistant logins; more on authenticator here.
▪️Security hygiene: if anything feels off, rotate your password and refresh 2FA from a clean device.

Step 2 — Switch on built-in safety nets

Top exchanges like EXMO give you controls that can block most bad withdrawals and fake emails. Learn to use them once, and they will work in the background and reduce the majority of the risk.

Protection habits to learn:
▪️Withdrawal whitelist: lock withdrawals to your pre-approved addresses only.
▪️Trusted IP: restrict logins to your home/office IPs if your setup is stable.
▪️Email confirmations: read withdrawal/login emails and verify amount, asset and address before approving.

Step 3 — Make your devices boring (to hackers)

Most compromises start on the device, not the exchange. Keep your phone and computer up to date, avoid risky networks and lock your hardware. A little discipline here neutralises a lot of threats.

Device basics that really work:
▪️Updates on: OS, browser, EXMO app and authenticator apps auto-update; add reputable anti-malware on desktop.
▪️Safe connections: prefer mobile data or a trusted VPN over public Wi-Fi for logins and withdrawals.
▪️Hardware locks: strong device PIN/biometric; enable “find my device”/remote wipe; never store seeds or passwords in plain text.
▪️(Advanced) Crypto-only device: consider a clean phone/laptop used only for exchanges and wallets.

Step 4 — Outsmart phishing & scams

Scammers rely on urgency and confusion. Slow down, verify domains and remember that EXMO support will never ask for your password, 2FA codes, or seed phrases. When in doubt, go to exmo.com via a bookmark.

Simple rules that save money:
▪️Type the URL yourself: for example, only use exmo.com; check the “padlock” and spelling.
▪️Trust your anti-phishing code: missing or wrong code in an email = walk away.
▪️No secrets shared—ever: passwords, 2FA codes, seeds/private keys are yours alone.
▪️Beware “too good to be true”: DMs about support, overly juicy giveaways, or guaranteed returns are almost always scams.

Step 5 — Decide what stays on exchange vs off exchange

There’s a balance between convenience and control. Keep trading funds on EXMO for speed and tools; park long-term holdings in a reputable hardware wallet if you’re comfortable managing backups. Diversifying storage reduces single-point risk.

A practical split for beginners:
▪️On EXMO (working capital): quick trading, alerts, Earn options (check in-app and regional availability).
▪️Hardware wallet (long-term): self-custody for assets you plan to hold; back up seed securely and offline.
▪️Segmentation: don’t keep everything in one place; move in calm markets, not during panic.

If something feels wrong

Staying calm and following a checklist beats guessing. Move to a clean device, lock things down and contact support through official channels. Speed helps, but accuracy helps more.

Your incident playbook:
▪️Pause & scan: run anti-malware; remove anything suspicious.
▪️Rotate credentials: change passwords; refresh 2FA and store new backup codes safely.
▪️Review security: check sessions, whitelist, trusted IP and email on file.
▪️Contact support: via official help pages; report any unauthorized actions promptly.
▪️Re-secure funds: once clean, move assets to your whitelisted addresses if risk remains.

Security is most efficient with the right habits. Turn on EXMO’s protections, keep your devices clean and treat surprise messages with scepticism. Do that, and you’ve already blocked most threats, so you can focus on learning the market instead of fighting fires.