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inspired by An Unending Variety of Topics by Nick Szabo https://unenumerated.blogspot.com/

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$5 Wrench Attack

A wrench attack is a physical coercion method aimed at extracting private keys or other sensitive information from a cryptocurrency holder. Even the most secure digital systems are vulnerable to low-tech, real-world threats, such as physical violence or intimidation, using a cheap tool like a $5 wrench as a metaphor. No amount of digital encryption or security can prevent an attacker from using force to compel a victim to reveal their private keys or seed phrases.

TLDR

Bad guys will kidnap and torture you for your bitcoin.

https://xkcd.com/538/

A $5 wrench attack typically involves:

• Targeting: An attacker identifies a Bitcoin holder, often through public displays of wealth, social media posts, or compromised personal information. They are looking for low hanging fruit and easy marks.

• Coercion: The attacker uses threats, physical violence, or intimidation to force the victim to disclose their private keys or access to their wallet. They have ways of making you talk.

• Access: The attacker transfers the victim's bitcoin to their own wallet. Due to the decentralized and pseudonymous nature of the blockchain, the transaction is permanent. There is no tech support and the CEO is unavailable for comment.

Protecting private keys requires digital safeguards like hardware wallets and multi-signature setups, but also physical security measures like firearms and Wrench Defense. Unlike traditional banking systems, Bitcoin offers no centralized authority to reverse fraudulent transactions, making prevention absolutely critical.

Prevention Strategies

• Maintain OPSEC. Avoid publicly disclosing Bitcoin holdings. Use pseudonyms online and limit sharing on social media. Follow @WrenchDefense if you're a Bitcoin psychopath, we follow all toxic plebs!

• Don't flex with flashy things. Watches will get you killed.

• Don't buy a Lambo. Win one instead!

• Minimize your digital footprint. Use a VPN. Run TailsOS on a Linux distro like Ubuntu.

• Use a dedicated computer for Bitcoin activities. If it's a laptop, remove the Wi-fi card.

• Store seed phrases and hardware wallets in secure tamper-evident locations, such as safety deposit boxes or a hidden safe. Remember that safes are not safe!

• Use multi-signature (multisig) wallets requiring multiple keys held in different locations or by trusted parties, making coercion less effective.

• Geographic Distribution: Store metal backups (e.g., seed phrase copies) in multiple secure locations to reduce the risk of losing everything in one attack. Consider different government jurisdictions to avoid a 6102 attack.

• Get a gun, consider self-defense training, and install a home security system.

• Duress Codes: Some hardware wallets support duress PINs that unlock a decoy wallet with small amounts of bitcoin to satisfy attackers without revealing primary funds.

• Wrench Defense: Set up a Bitcoin tripwire in a decoy wallet that automatically sends out an SOS if you're wrench attacked. Trigger the silent alarm during a wrench attack to share your location with law enforcement or Liam Neeson.

The $5 wrench attack serves as a reminder of the trade-offs between self-sovereignty and security. It reinforces the philosophy of "not your keys, not your coins," while highlighting that true financial freedom requires exceptional personal responsibility in both digital and physical realms.

Wrench Defense

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