Note: this is a guest post from community members TonyBlock and AlwaysASpade. Thank you for sharing this guide!

Now that Ronin is open, it’s time to think about account security. Don’t worry — you don’t have to do everything at once! Think of this as a step-by-step journey to gradually enhance your protection. Building strong cybersecurity habits is a process, and each improvement you make is a big win. 🎉

Here’s a quick summary of the easiest steps to get started right away:

1. Create a unique, strong password for your Ronin account using a password manager.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security.
3. Keep your email secure—make sure it’s well-protected and not used for unrelated accounts.
4. Stay alert for phishing scams and avoid sharing your private keys with anyone.
5. Keep your passphrase offline and in a safe place—never save it digitally!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to protecting your assets and enjoying the world of Web3 gaming with peace of mind. Ready? Let’s dive in! 🚀

PROTECTING YOUR SOCIAL ACCOUNTS

If your Ronin account uses a social login (e.g., email and password), it’s especially important to strengthen your defenses. Here’s how to do it:

Tip 1: Strengthen Your Password

A strong password is your first line of defense!

• Use a Password Manager: Let a password manager do the hard work for you. It can create, store, and manage complex passwords, so you don’t have to memorize them all. Popular options include NordPass, Bitwarden, 1Password, or Apple Passwords.
• Generate a Unique Password: Use your manager’s password generator to create something long and unique. Include letters, numbers, and symbols to make it unguessable!
• Auto-Fill for Safety: Always use the auto-fill feature from your password manager to avoid typing in passwords manually, reducing the risk of phishing attacks.
• Rotate Regularly: Update your password periodically for extra security.

👉 To update your password, go to Email Sign In on your Ronin account dashboard: Ronin Account Access.

Tip 2: Protect Your Email Account

Your email is the key to your account, so keep it safe!

• Secure Passwords Apply Here Too: Use a strong, unique password for your email, just like your Ronin account.
• Dedicated Crypto Email: Avoid using this email address for general purposes like subscriptions or social media. If it’s already cluttered, start unsubscribing from unnecessary emails and keep it private going forward.
• Stay Alert for Phishing: Watch out for fake emails trying to steal your info. When in doubt, don’t click!
• Avoid Social Logins: We recommend using email signups for crypto accounts instead of linking Google, Facebook, or Apple ID.

⚠️ Note: At the moment, Ronin doesn’t allow users to change their email addresses, so if you’ve already used your main email, it’s a good idea to focus on protecting it as much as possible.

Tip 3: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Adding 2FA to your Ronin account makes it much harder for anyone to access it without your permission.

• Choose an Authenticator App: Use a reliable app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator rather than SMS (which can be intercepted).
• Backup Your 2FA Codes: When setting up 2FA, store the QR codes or setup keys somewhere safe—like a password manager or an encrypted file. Avoid saving them on your phone or taking screenshots.
• Set It Up: Go to Security Tab > Multi-Factor Authentication in your Ronin dashboard to enable 2FA.

Tip 4: Keep Your Passphrase Safe

Your seed phrase is the master key to your assets, so treat it with extreme care!

• No Digital Storage: Never save your passphrase on your phone, computer, or cloud services—they’re too easy to hack.
• Go Physical: Write it down on paper or engrave it on a metal plate (check reviews for quality options).
• Store Securely: Keep your backups in a safe or locked location where only you can access them.
• Don’t Share or Display: Avoid showing your passphrase to anyone or even talking about it. Scammers might try to record your screen or use cameras to steal it.
• Have a Recovery Plan: Know what to do if you lose access to your wallet, and test the recovery process in a secure environment.

Tip 5: Be Cautious with Mobile Devices

Accessing your account via mobile can be risky.

• Beware of Malware: Phones can be compromised with malware that records your keystrokes or screenshots sensitive info.
• Avoid Storing Sensitive Info: Don’t save your passphrase or take photos of it. Malicious apps might scan for text in your images.

Tip 6: Behavioral Security

1. Avoid Public Wi-Fi
   • Use secure networks for transactions; public Wi-Fi is prone to man-in-the-middle attacks.
2. Update Regularly
   • Ensure all devices, operating systems, wallets, and extensions are up to date to minimize vulnerabilities.
3. Delete Old Apps
   • If you’ve not used it for the past 6 months you probably don’t need it.

Tip 7: Adopt a Dual-Browser Strategy

1. Crypto-Only Browser
   • Use Brave Browser for crypto activities due to its privacy features.
2. Daily Browser
   • For general tasks, use browsers like Firefox or Chrome, ensuring privacy-conscious configurations.

Tip 8: Transaction Safety

1. Verify Addresses
   • Double-check wallet addresses to avoid scams or errors. Use QR codes for verification when possible.
   • If you wallet provider allows it, save any frequent-use blockchain addresses in the address book.
2. Bookmark Official Resources
   • Save the following Ronin official sites in your browser:
     • Ronin Staking: Staking
     • Ronin Bridge: Bridge
     • Bookmark any other key links for swaps, IDs, and marketplaces.
3. Take Your Time
   • Always review transaction details thoroughly before confirming.

Tip 9: Upgrade to RNS (Ronin Name Service)

1. Simplify Transactions
   • Purchase an RNS domain for user-friendly and secure address handling.

RNS improves transaction safety and enhances interaction across the Ronin ecosystem.

Tip 10: Join the Community

1. Stay Updated
   • Follow official channels (e.g., Ronin Network’s X account) for announcements. Be wary of phishing attempts even in trusted channels.
2. Engage with Communities
   • Join well established Ronin groups like Axie Infinity or CyberKongz to stay informed, learn, and contribute.
3. Report Suspicious Activity
   • Alert the community about scams or suspicious behavior, and always verify authenticity.

With these tips, you’re well on your way to protecting your Ronin account from unwanted access. Remember, every small improvement adds up to a more secure future. 🎯

ALL ABOUT SEED PHRASES

If your account was established using a seed phrase, generated and secured offline, that’s already your best bet to stay safe! However, this approach bypasses all centralised services for login and thus places the full responsibility for security on you. Your seed phrase is the master key to your assets. If it is lost or compromised, your funds are at risk. Here’s how to strengthen your defenses.

Tip 1: Protect Your Seed Phrase At All Costs: Choose a Hardware Wallet

• For significant holdings, hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor provide offline storage for private keys, add a critical layer of security.
• Make sure to purchase these directly from the manufacturer to avoid tampered devices.
• Generate your seed phrase natively from the hardware wallet.

Tip 2: Confidentiality

Never share your private keys or seed phrases with anyone. Avoid entering them into websites or apps unless their legitimacy is 100% verified.

• Avoid Screensharing: When accessing your wallet, do not screenshare to prevent accidental exposure.

Tip 3: Offline Storage

Store your seed phrase securely offline. Avoid digital storage unless encrypted and isolated on offline devices. Options for secure physical storage include:

• Tamper-proof containers (e.g., fireproof safes).
• Engraving on metal for durability and protection against environmental damage.

Tip 4: Safe Key Creation

Generate your seed phrase in a secure environment. To minimize risks:

• Use a device free from malware or potential threats.
• Disconnect from the internet during seed phrase generation and while recording it.

Tip 5: Choose 24-Word Seed Phrases

• During setup opt in for a 24-word seed phrase instead of the shorter 12-word version. The added complexity enhances security against brute-force attacks.

PRO TIPS FOR MAXIMUM ACCOUNT PROTECTION

PRO TIP 1: Adopt a Multi-Wallet Strategy

1. Create Purpose-Based Wallets
   • Gaming Wallet: Isolate assets for blockchain games.
   • Staking Wallet: Manage staking-specific funds efficiently.
   • Primary Wallet: Reserve for your largest holdings, implementing the highest security measures.

This is certainly not for the fainthearted as you’d need to generate, store, protect and manage multiple seed phrases. Certainly, one for the pros and makes sense only for high value accounts.

Pro Tip 2: Educate on Social Engineering

1. Phishing Awareness
   • Learn common phishing techniques, such as scammers impersonating support teams or creating fake forms asking for private keys.
   • Always verify unsolicited requests for sensitive information.
2. Social Media Caution
   • Avoid oversharing about your crypto holdings or personal details on social media to reduce the risk of being targeted.

Pro Tip 3: Dedicate a Device

If possible, use a separate phone just for crypto and keep it offline when not in use. This is certaintly NOT needed for most users, but if you have the below profile, then it might make sense to consider such move.

• Target User Profile: You are a user that’s constantly trading on Tamameme while on the go, or play a lot of mobile web3 games with high value NFTs. You also like experimenting in DeFi.

Pro Tip 4: Review Permissions Granted

Make security a habit!

1. Initial Approvals
   • Before connecting wallets to dApps, review what permissions you’ll be granting carefully.
2. Revoke Permissions
   • Revoke unnecessary dApp permissions you no longer need via Ronin Wallet settings to mitigate risks.
3. Manually set transaction limits
   • Set appropriate max transaction limits for added security via your wallet for each on-chain action your are signing. That way even if a hack occurs, your entire balance won’t be ‘drained’.
4. Do Your Own Research (DYOR)
   • Confirm smart contracts are audited by reputable firms such as OpenZeppelin, CertiK, or Trail of Bits.

Pro Tip 6: Physical Security

2. Maintain Privacy
   • Minimize public information about your holdings and physical location. Avoid real-time social media updates or wearing crypto-related gear.
3. Use Different Pins
   • Employ separate PINs or passwords for different wallets and especially do not use the same for your main phone access.
   • Use a “honeytrap” wallet with minimal funds to comply in case of physical threats.
4. Read About the Risks
   • Refer to Jameson Lopp’s “Physical Bitcoin Attacks” list for insights into real-world risks and protective strategies. Link

Pro Tip 7: Multi-Signature Wallets

For high-value holdings or shared funds, multi-signature wallets provide additional security. These wallets require multiple private keys to authorize transactions, reducing the risk of a single compromised key.

• Implementation Tips: Use separate devices or trusted entities to hold the keys. Platforms such as Gnosis Safe or Casa are trusted providers.
• Expert Assistance: Multi-sig setups can be complex, certainly DYOR and consider seeking professional advice if needed.

HOT AND COLD WALLETS

What are the main types of crypto wallets?

· Cold wallets = Trezor or Ledger

· Hot wallets = Browser Extensions or Mobile Apps such as Ronin Wallet and Metamask

Which wallet will protect you?

What can I do to stay protected?

DO NOT: As a general rule of thumb do NOT interact with smart contracts from your cold wallet.

DO: Limit such activities to staking, but always double check the URL – this is your biggest weakness. Otherwise, you can NOT be protected by the design of a cold wallet.

DO: Use a clean cold wallet that has NEVER interacted with a smart contract to hold long term assets such as Bitcoin. Move them out of that wallet to trade with. Move back in when done.

Final Thoughts

While an open Ronin brings exciting opportunities, it's crucial to remember that security cybersecurity starts with you. When in doubt, take a step back and verify. The crypto space moves quickly, but rushing decisions can lead to costly mistakes.

Remember the golden rules:

• If something seems too good to be true, it probably is
• Never share your private keys or seed phrase with anyone
• When uncertain, ask questions in official community channels
• Better to miss an opportunity than lose your assets to a scam

Stay vigilant, keep learning, and protect yourself and your assets. The best defense against scammers is an educated and security-conscious community. 

Together, we can build a safer ecosystem for everyone.

The views and opinions expressed in this blogpost are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of the other parties or individuals mentioned in this blogpost.