Definition ∞ Mnemonic phrase security encompasses the practices and measures taken to protect a cryptocurrency wallet’s recovery phrase from unauthorized access. This includes safeguarding the physical or digital storage of the 12-to-24-word sequence, preventing phishing attacks that attempt to trick users into revealing it, and ensuring it is never stored on internet-connected devices. A compromise of the mnemonic phrase grants complete control over the associated digital assets, making its protection paramount. Robust mnemonic phrase security is the primary defense against asset theft in self-custodial scenarios.
Context ∞ Mnemonic phrase security is a constant and critical topic in cryptocurrency news, often appearing in warnings about scams, best practice guides for wallet users, and analyses of asset recovery efforts. The discussion centers on user education, the adoption of hardware wallets, and the risks associated with cloud storage or unsecured digital copies. Protecting these phrases remains the single most important aspect of individual digital asset security.