How to safely store my 12 or 24-word secret recovery phrase
- Token Trace
- Mar 23, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 3, 2023
When it comes to your crypto investments, your 12-word or 24-word recovery phrase is like the holy grail - you don't want to lose it, and you definitely don't want anyone else getting their grubby little paws on it!
Now, I know it can be tempting to save your recovery phrase on your computer, but let's be honest - computers are like the Wild West of the digital world. Anything can happen out there, from hacker attacks to rogue software to alien invasions (okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea).
To keep your recovery phrase safe, your best bet is to go old-school and write it down on a piece of paper. Don't be a fool and think you can just type it out in your notepad and call it a day - that's like trying to build a fortress out of toothpicks. Also, don't try to be cute and say that instead of typing your secret phrase on a notepad, you will save it as a digital image or in a cloud-based storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive. Even encrypted or password-protected files are not secure enough, as hackers can still find ways to access these files.
Some good options to store your phrase are by handwriting it on a piece of paper and keeping it in a fireproof safe, a lockbox, or even a safety deposit box at a bank. Ideally, you should store multiple copies of the phrase in different locations in case one becomes damaged or lost.
And while we're at it, let's talk about spelling. Look, I'm not saying you're a terrible speller, but if you're anything like me, you probably can't spell "recovery" without spell check. So take your time when writing down your recovery phrase, and double-check your work. One little typo can spell disaster for your funds. Each word in the phrase is crucial, and entering them out of order or with typos can make it impossible to access your wallet.
Remember that you don't want to go shouting your recovery phrase from the rooftops. Keep it to yourself, and only share it with someone you trust - like your dog, for instance. Just make sure your pooch isn't secretly plotting to steal your crypto while you're at work.
In all seriousness, though, protecting your recovery phrase is no laughing matter. By taking the necessary precautions and keeping it safe and secure, you can help to ensure that your crypto investments stay protected, even in the face of unexpected circumstances.