Turkey's well-known exchange BtcTurk suffers a $48 million theft, ringing alarm bells once again. In the world of Web3, "Private keys equal assets"—this is not just a slogan but a harsh reality. Hackers use a variety of methods: code vulnerabilities in exchange hot wallets, carefully crafted phishing traps, private key exposure, smart contract bugs… investors' wallets can be prey at any time.

So how can you truly protect your crypto assets? Here are some practical tips.

**First, store assets in a cold wallet.** Cold wallets are devices that store private keys offline, isolated from the internet. No matter how skilled hackers are, they cannot remotely intrude. Keep large assets in cold storage and only leave a small amount of liquid funds on exchanges—that's the most secure approach currently.

**Choosing the right exchange is crucial.** Don't pick platforms randomly. Check if they have proper qualifications, a sound risk control system, a high proportion of cold wallet storage, and security insurance mechanisms. More importantly: don't put all your eggs in one basket. Distributing assets across multiple platforms can effectively reduce single-point risks.

**Strict private key management is essential.** Private keys are the sole proof of ownership of assets; if leaked, you lose everything. Never store private keys on internet-connected devices. Writing them down by hand and keeping them in a secure place is the most reliable. Use complex passwords, update them regularly, and always enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

**Be alert to risks.** Don't click on unfamiliar links, scan unknown QR codes—beware of targeted phishing. Don't casually authorize unknown DApps to prevent smart contract vulnerabilities from being exploited. Pay attention to security alerts from projects and exchanges; if something seems abnormal, withdraw immediately.

In the crypto world, security always comes first. By following these protections, your assets can truly stay in your own hands.