Seed-phrase security is the set of measures used to protect the mnemonic phrase that can be used to recover a cryptocurrency wallet and its associated keys.

A seed phrase, also called a mnemonic phrase, is a sequence of words from which a wallet can derive cryptographic keys. Depending on the standard and implementation, one phrase can provide access to many private keys and wallet addresses.

A seed phrase should therefore be treated as a master recovery secret. Its compromise can be more significant than the loss of one individual private key because a single phrase may allow an attacker to reconstruct an entire hierarchy of keys.

Storage principles

  • do not store the seed phrase in email, messaging apps, or public cloud storage;
  • do not enter it into random websites or unknown applications;
  • never provide it to customer support or another person;
  • maintain a durable physical backup and protect it from theft and damage;
  • verify word order and any additional recovery parameters.

A seed phrase should not be confused with a wallet password. A password may protect an application on a particular device, while the seed phrase can usually restore the underlying keys on another compatible device.

The seed phrase should be treated as a secret comparable in importance to a complete set of private keys. Any unexpected request to enter it is a major warning sign, especially when associated with phishing or social engineering.