Protecting Your .locker Web3 Digital Identity: What You Need to Know

Your .locker digital identity is more than just a username- it's your key to Web3. But with great ownership comes greater responsibility. As Web3 adoption grows, so do the threats. From phishing scams to account hacks, bad actors are constantly looking for ways to exploit digital identities. In this post, we’ll explore essential steps to secure your .locker identity, avoid common traps, and maintain full control over your blockchain presence.

Watch Out For Phishing

Given the value of Bitcoin and other onchain assets, It’s not surprising that cybercriminals have found their way to Web3. One of the most common scams you will encounter are phishing attempts. Be suspicious of unsolicited contacts from your wallet provider, exchange, or domain registrar, especially if they are through social media or third-party chat applications. Email is usually the preferred method of contact for providers, but email is also a channel notorious for successful phishing attacks. Always double check domain names, email addresses, and verify identities before sharing any personal information online, even if it seems legitimate at first glance. If you have any doubts, reach out to your provider directly to verify the legitimacy of the contact.

Test your skills with .locker's Spot the Phishing Attack quiz.

Keep Your .locker Domain on Auto-Renew

Managing your .locker domain renewal is critical. Missing a notice or forgetting a renewal date puts your domain name and identity at risk. If you let your domain name expire, it becomes available to the general public for registration. Anyone could pick up your domain name and impersonate you online.

The best way to protect your domain name from expiry is to enable auto-renew with your domain registrar. Enabling automatic renewals will ensure that your domain name is renewed on time with the payment method on file. No manual action is required from you! Usually, enabling auto-renew is a simple toggle in domain management or renewal portals with your registrar. 

Implement a Robust Password Strategy

Because .locker has utility on both Web2 and Web3, complex passwords are needed to protect your identity across multiple platforms. Domain registrars, digital wallets, crypto exchanges, and more can all be associated with your .locker digital identity. This represents multiple entry points for hackers to take control of your domain name, digital identity, and onchain assets. Using one password for every account only makes it easier for hackers to defraud you. 

We all know that we need strong passwords, and yet, we don’t put them into practice. Here’s your call to implement a robust password strategy. Strong passwords are at least 16 characters long. They don’t include identifiable information like your own name, spouse or child’s name, pet’s name, or your favorite hobby. All of these subjects are easy to remember, but they are also easy to crack at the same time. Instead, choose completely random characters, letters, numbers, and words. The more variety, the better. And get ready to be creative! Every account associated with your .locker digital identity should have its own unique, strong password.

Be Defensive

It might sound crazy, but you should always be defensive with your domain name registrations! This means registering multiple .locker domains: plural variations, alternatives, misspellings, and different combinations of brand names and keywords. For full brand protection, use the same strategy for common domain extensions beyond .locker. You don’t have to use these domain names to be defensive. Simply registering them and taking ownership prevents others from doing so. Cybercriminals and scammers are constantly looking for opportunities to capitalize on your digital identity and brand. Make it more difficult by blocking them from impersonating you online.

Secure Your Onchain Assets and More with my.locker

In addition to protecting your digital identity, you should implement Web3 security practices and be aware of common Web3 scams. Web3 digital identities are often tied to digital wallets, NFTs, and other valuable onchain assets, and if the wrong person gets access, they can easily hijack your identity and investments. Visit the .locker Learning Hub and Help Center for the full catalogue of resources, guides, and tutorials.