At the time of writing, the value of one bitcoin was close to $21,000. So, if you have read the title and are still wondering about the answer, you need to read further.
Yes, if you have a bitcoin wallet, it is not advised but recommended to encrypt it.
As the scene of cyberattacks has always been messy, one has to stay cautious, and encrypting your wallet is the best way. As of 2021, the increase in the number of cyberattacks and data breaches went up by 15.1% as compared to 2020. This is a big jump and is, therefore, terrifying for online businesses and consumers.
So, the best you can do is have a contingency plan. The first step is encrypting your crypto wallet.
How to Encrypt Your Bitcoin Wallet?
The sensitive bitcoin information contains a critical file named wallet.dat. The file contains all the necessary information on the digital ownership of bitcoin. By default, this file is not encrypted. Therefore, if a hacker gets control of your device, they can seamlessly spend your coins there and then.
As the value of bitcoin is high, it demands protection, and you can provide it in a number of ways. Here are some of them!
Passphrase
The method may sound like an old-fashioned one, but the core developers have enabled this feature inside the bitcoin client. By using the passphrase feature in your bitcoin wallet, you can encrypt your wallet and lock your coins.
If someone else other than you gains control of your device, they won’t be able to spend your bitcoin without the passphrase.
Though the latest bitcoin core client has the facility to encrypt the wallet, you can also use any external tool to encrypt the wallet.dat file.
Password
Sounds like the letter “P” is meant for protection. The second way to encrypt or protect your bitcoin wallet is using a powerful password. So powerful that the best of the best social engineer cannot guess it.
The golden rule of setting a strong password is that you have to make it random yet easy to remember for yourself. Refrain from using passwords like Qwerty, 1q2w3e, etc. Keep a mix of characters and numbers in a password. To make it better, include special characters like @, #, and $ along with lower and upper case letters. The complexity of passwords is super-enhanced with this.
Add-on Tips for Bitcoin Security!
Now, we know that bitcoin encryption is necessary. But, there are some aspects that you should do along with encrypting your bitcoin wallet. As there are threats that may even defeat the encryption of your data, here are some tips to be ready for any of them!
- Backup: Keep a backup of your bitcoin wallet so that in case of a mishap, you can recover as much data as possible.
- Offline wallet: Keep an offline wallet for your savings. An offline wallet is disconnected from the network. Hence, no risk of hacking.
Final Words
In the end, it is safe to say that, yes, you should encrypt your bitcoin wallet. Keeping in mind the cybersecurity scenario and the values of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin needs to be protected at all costs.