inspired by An Unending Variety of Topics by Nick Szabo https://unenumerated.blogspot.com/
Bitcoin Essentials
- Bitcoin Only
- What's the first rule of Bitcoin? OPSEC
- Master list of hardware/tech
- Master list of seed backups
- Master list of Bitcoin books
- Fun Facts
$5 Wrench Attack
A $5 wrench attack is a colloquial term used to describe a physical coercion method aimed at extracting private keys or other sensitive information from a cryptocurrency holder. The term emphasizes the vulnerability of even the most secure digital systems to low-tech, real-world threats, such as physical violence or intimidation, using a cheap tool like a $5 wrench as a metaphor.
TLDR
Bad guys will kidnap and torture you for your bitcoin.
Prevention Strategies:
- Maintain OPSEC. Avoid publicly disclosing Bitcoin holdings or wealth. Use pseudonyms online and limit sharing on social media. Follow @WrenchDefense if you're a Bitcoin psychopath, we follow all toxic plebs!
- Don't buy a Lambo. Win one instead!
- Minimize your digital footprint. Use TOR or a VPN. Run TailsOS on a Linux distro like Ubuntu. Avoid all KYC exchanges and services.
- 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 locations, such as a safe deposit box or a hidden safe. Consider tamper-evident storage solutions. 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 storing keys in different government jurisdications 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 minimal funds, misleading attackers.
- Wrench Defense: Set up a Bitcoin tripwire in a decoy wallet on your phone. Trigger the silent alarm during a wrench attack to share your location with law enforcement or Liam Neeson.
Wrench Defense
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