Hot Wallet Drain

Definition ∞ A hot wallet drain is a security incident where an attacker illicitly empties the contents of a cryptocurrency wallet that is connected to the internet. This typically occurs when the private keys or seed phrases securing the wallet are compromised through malware, phishing, or other malicious exploits. The result is the unauthorized transfer of all accessible digital assets from the affected wallet.
Context ∞ Reports of hot wallet drains are common in news cycles related to cryptocurrency security breaches, often impacting individual users or smaller decentralized applications. Discussions focus on the methods of compromise, such as malicious smart contract interactions or sophisticated phishing campaigns. Ongoing efforts aim to improve user awareness regarding secure wallet management practices and the development of more resilient wallet technologies.