A short overview over security, exchanges, seed phrases, hot wallets, cold wallets and hardware wallets. Which wallet for whom?

There have been a lot of posts lately about stolen coins or NFTs, hacked accounts (mostly it's phishing or a scam rather than a hack). People are telling you to buy hardware wallets. Other people say their hardware wallets are missing, stolen or damaged. So here's a short overview. Feel free to discuss.

1. Do not download software from unknown sources. If it's about your life savings, always check twice. It is not the lazy way, but you should always check crypto signatures of software you are downloading (wallets etc). Do not klick links in youtube or discord comments.

2. Make yourself unaccessible for scamers on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/settings/messaging (change "who can send you private messages" to "nobody").

3. When chosing an exchange, do not use exchanges you've never heard about. Do your research. Scam sites are designed just like the originals. Check the URL (link) on google before you create an account! (Same with online shops).

4. Your seed phrase is a placeholder for your private keys. Your wallet can be accessed by this seed / private key, no matter what kind of wallet you are using. You should backup your seed phrase offline. There are posts in this sub about metal plates and such. I don't think it's a good idea to put your seed anywhere in your house without a safe. I'm remembering it by the way (there are strategies for remembering safely, google them).

You will only need a Hot or Cold wallet if you are planning to pay with crypto or send it. If you are just hodling, you don't either! You can install most wallets in "watch" mode (without entering your seed). It's even possible to watch your address online on websites to check your wallet balance.

1. Hot wallets are software wallets like Electrum on a phone or computer. You can send transactions. Hot wallets are safe, as long as your computer/phone is safe. But even when you're experienced in IT, you can never be sure. Use a hot wallet for small amounts for everyday use.
   I've never used Wallets with browser integration because as an IT guy it's giving me the creeps. I'd only use this for small amounts.

2. A Cold storage is a software wallet like Electrum, but on an offline computer (offline wallet). You can even use a very old PC for this. Transactions have to be transfered via USB-stick to your cold wallet, where you can sign this transaction and transfer it back. It's unhandy but cheap and will be enough for saving accounts.
   -> Exodus wallet can be used as a cold storage and supports multiply cryptos.

3. Hardware wallets are safe as fuck. People in r/cc love hardware wallets. For small investors they are still too expensive though. You will need to do your research depending on which assets you own. As far as I've seen on this sub: a Trezor™ seems to be the one.
   -> Trezor or Ledger for securing crypto?

English isn't my first language, so please be gentle. That post turned out much longer than planned but I can't make it any shorter.

Have a nice week and stay safe!