Staying Safe While you Earn Online

If you’ve been curious about how people are actually making cryptocurrency online these days, well then buckle up, it’s getting easier and way more fun than ever before. I’ve been looking for ways to earn online for years now, and trust me, I’ve been tricked by sketchy platforms and false promises more times than I care to count. But those experiences taught me a lot, and that’s why I’m sharing what I’ve learned with you. There are tons of earning platforms out there, but if you don’t know what to watch out for or how to stay safe, you’re almost guaranteed to run into the headaches I’ve faced over the years. That’s what inspired me to write this article. Most people don’t really understand how cryptocurrency works or how simply participating in the crypto economy can help you earn a little along the way.
Unlike traditional payout methods that often require you to hit high minimums before you see any rewards, new blockchain-based platforms let you earn micro-payments seamlessly, thanks to the tech behind decentralized networks. It’s a game changer for beginners and pros alike.
Whether you want to dip your toes or dive right into earning crypto, I’ve got you covered with all the good stuff on my favorite platforms and, more importantly, how to protect yourself from the sneaky hackers lurking in the shadows. Let’s make crypto earning and learning not just easy but safe and enjoyable, like playing one of your favorite video games (maybe not that fun but you know what I mean). It is all about security, research, and routine.

Why Earning Crypto Online is a Big Deal Right Now

A few years ago, getting into cryptocurrency meant buying coins on exchanges, mining with expensive rigs, or dealing with sketchy websites. Today, you can earn crypto simply by browsing, gaming, socializing, walking, or running a node. This shift is huge because it opens crypto to people who don’t want to risk big money or tech headaches. Plus, many of these platforms don’t require investments, you earn by being active, creative, or supporting networks. 

But with the rewards growing, so does the interest from cybercriminals wanting a slice of your pie. That’s why knowing where to earn and how to stay protected is crucial, and that’s exactly why I’m breaking this down for you.

My Favorite Ways to Earn Crypto Online

In the next section, I want to walk through some of my favorite ways to earn. I know I’ve talked about most of these before, but I really want to show just how many opportunities are out there and how even earning a little crypto can completely change the way you look at cryptocurrency.

Browsing That Pays

Let’s start with the easiest. Brave Browser is the OG browser that pays you in Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) just for browsing like you normally would. What sets Brave apart is its privacy-first mindset, no creepy trackers sneaking around like on Chrome or Firefox. Instead, Brave shows you privacy-respecting ads, and you earn BAT by simply seeing them. The more you browse, the more BAT fills your wallet.​ I suggest using this browser for all Crypto earning platforms. Not only will you earn from the Brave rewards but you will also earn from your regular earning platforms.

On top of that, AddSlice (also known as Slice) rewards you passively by adding small ads to your browsing experience, almost like making a little side income while surfing the web, without any annoying interruptions.

What’s cool is that Slice pays out in Bitcoin Lightning, PayPal, or even gift cards. Easy and makes it so you are not stuck with some obscure token that’s hard to convert.​ You can use Slice with Brave. This means that you earn Double the rewards.

SocialFi

Imagine if every like, comment, or share could earn you actual money. That’s what platforms like Tangled are about. It’s social media, but with real crypto rewards. You post, connect, and rank up on leaderboards, all while earning Millix tokens. 

The platform even pays creators 100% of what they earn, no middlemen taking a cut, which is rare in the social media world.​ One of the best ways to earn is by running their Tangled Browser. Not only is it a cool browser but it is also the platforms node. By running the browser you help secure the Millix Network.

Arena.social runs on Avalanche’s blockchain and mixes social networking with earning and governance. Users earn $ARENA tokens for participating, and can stake these tokens to earn even more rewards down the road. It’s like a blend of social media, DeFi, and gaming all wrapped into one.​

Last but definetly not least we have Cryptonaut. It is one of those quiet, under-the-radar SocialFi platforms that feels like a real community instead of just another farm-for-points app. It’s built around a familiar social feed where you can post updates, share articles, drop your latest videos, and interact with other crypto-minded people. Not sure who the creators are or how far this project will go but it is definitely interesting and I am keeping my eyes on it. 

Play-to-Earn Games

Gaming is no longer just for pastime, it’s a powerful way to earn crypto, especially on platforms like Chainers. Chainers lets you build your own voxel worlds, earn items, and get paid in real crypto for your time and creativity. Plus, it’s connected with Immutable X, a leading layer-2 solution on Ethereum, which means you can earn rewards from both platforms simultaneously.​

Another good one is called ZBD. ZBD is a play to earn platformt that allows you to earn Bitcoin using the lightning network. 

ZBD has a built in wallet which is easy to use and allows you to withdraw to any wallet that supports the Lightning Network.

Pixels is another one of my favorites. It is a pixelated farm simulator game where you can earn just from being active and completeing tasks by collecting or trading supplies. 

Last but not least we have Wombat It is a fun, low-friction way to dip into Web3 and earn crypto just by playing games you probably already recognize and enjoy. You install the Wombat app on mobile or browser, pick from hundreds of mainstream and blockchain titles, and as you play and complete challenges you earn token rewards and NFTs that are managed directly in your built-in Wombat wallet. On top of simple play-to-earn mechanics, features like Dungeon Master let you throw your NFTs into “dungeons” to passively rack up points and extra rewards, turning your gaming time and in-game items into a steady trickle of crypto in a way that feels more like casual fun than work. If you decide to sign up and check out Wombat, I’d really appreciate it if you used my referral code: XM2LVEF.

Faucets and Microtasks

Faucet platforms like FaucetPay, FaucetCrypto, VieFaucet, and Cointiply are great for beginners or people who want to earn small amounts in their spare time. These sites reward you for simple actions like viewing ads or completing surveys. While each payout is small, regular use can add up over time.​

I personally use FaucetPay to consolidate earnings from multiple faucets, making it easier to manage my small but steady income stream from these services. Just always remember to use Brave and be careful what websites you try to earn from. It took me a long time to find the ones that are safe and actually pay. Also remember to use Brave for your earning platforms. Not only will you earn from ads when using Brave Browser but you will also be more secure when visiting websites you are not so sure of.

Walk to Earn

Before I started earning crypto years ago, I often wished for a platform that would reward me simply for walking. As someone who loves to walk daily and rack up steps, the idea of being paid for movement felt like a perfect fit. Nowadays, there are several apps making that dream a reality, letting users earn digital rewards just by staying active.

Sweat Wallet is one of the pioneers in this space, converting your steps into cryptocurrency. The app is user-friendly and motivates users to reach their daily steps goal by giving out SWEAT tokens. 

While earnings aren’t huge, users might earn small fractions of a dollar daily. It’s a fun way to stay motivated and even stake tokens for rewards. Sweat Wallet also has a vibrant community that encourages ongoing participation.

Another interesting option is Scrambly, which uniquely lets you earn real PayPal cash for simple in-app activities, including movement-related tasks. The convenience of receiving instant PayPal payments with a low withdrawal minimum makes it appealing, especially since PayPal funds can be easily converted into crypto. Scrambly is by far one of my favorite. It is easy to reach the minimum amount. I invest what I earn into Bitcoin or Chainlink. Once I reach $5 worth I send it to my main wallet.

Running a Voi Blockchain Node

For the more tech-savvy, running a full node on Voi Blockchain is a neat way to earn by supporting a fast and scalable network, currently processing over 10,000 transactions per second. Voi is still fairly new and small but the community and project is strong and truly made for the people who help its growth and security.

The Voi Faucet lets users claim free coins daily, and the more you stake and participate, the higher your rewards. It’s like being part of an exclusive club supporting the future of blockchain while making some crypto on the side.​

Voi has also just recently released its new project called DorkFi. DorkFi is a decentralized finance platform that works like a 24/7 on-chain money market, letting you lend out your crypto to earn yield, borrow against your assets, and even mint its overcollateralized WAD stablecoin, all through smart contracts instead of a traditional bank. If you want to learn more check out my last article.

The Real Deal on Security

Okay, this is where it gets serious. The crypto space is a goldmine for hackers, and the last thing you want is to get scammed or hacked. The sad truth is many people jump in without learning about the threats lurking around.

How Hackers Like to Roll

Phishing scams are everywhere. They send you emails or messages pretending to be your favorite platform, asking for logins or secrets. Then there are fake websites that look exactly like the real deal. Downloading malware is another classic, they trick you into installing spyware that spies on your passwords and even your private keys. Over public WiFi? Man-in-the-middle attacks can steal your data while it’s in transit.

Worst case? Rug pulls. These are scams where the creators disappear with everyone’s money after creating a fake project that looks legit. It’s why you gotta scrutinize every platform before trusting it.​

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

If you’re not using 2FA on all your accounts, consider this your wake-up call. Passwords alone aren’t enough anymore. Two-factor authentication adds a second level of security by making you provide a code from your phone or an authenticator app along with your password. It’s like having a safety deposit box with two locks instead of one.​

Make Them Strong, Make Them Weird

Forget short passwords like “password123”, they get cracked in seconds! Aim for at least 16 characters, mix uppercase letters, numbers, symbols, or create passphrases that only you can remember (like a silly sentence). Each account needs a unique password, so don’t reuse them, if one site gets hacked, your other accounts won’t be in jeopardy.​ Another reason why 2FA is so important. If you do end up using the same password and somehow your password gets figured out they will still need to go through your second layer of defence. 

One of the best ways to stay secure is by using a security key like Yubikey. These little gadgets are around $25 on Amazon. It might seem like a decent chunk for a little key but it is by far one of the best ways to keep your accounts safe.

Browsing Securely with Brave Browser

I swear by Brave Browser when browsing or earning crypto online. Its Shields block trackers, prevent third-party cookies, stop popups, and even randomize your device fingerprint to foil trackers. If some earning platform tries to flood you with ads or redirects, Brave will shut that down.​​

Setting up popup blocking in Brave is a breeze, and it gives you peace of mind especially when exploring lesser-known earning sites.

Spotting Phishing and Fake Platforms

Always type URLs yourself, never click links in emails or messages without double-checking. Phishing emails might try to rush you, claim urgent issues, or ask for passwords and private keys. Spoiler, No legit platform will ever ask for your seed phrase or private keys by email.
Hover over links before clicking to see where they actually lead. Check official platform announcements on their website or verified social media accounts whenever you get suspicious emails or messages.​

Locking Down Your Wallet Keys

Your private keys or seed phrases are GOLD. Anyone with access to them controls your crypto. Never share them or store them digitally like in a screenshot or cloud storage. Write them on paper and keep that paper somewhere safe, like a locked drawer or a safe deposit box.​

For bigger crypto holdings, hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor add a layer of cold storage security that hacks can’t touch.

The Dangers of Public WiFi and How VPNs Help

Public WiFi networks are a hacker playground. Data you send can easily be intercepted, including your passwords and wallet info. Unless you’re using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), avoid doing anything crypto-related on public WiFi. Quality VPNs encrypt your internet connection, shielding your activities and masking your IP address, making you basically invisible to snoopers.​

Final Thoughts

Start small on safe platforms like Brave Browser, and get comfortable with earning regularly. Use Tangled or Arena if you like social interaction and want to get rewarded for engagement. Dive into games like Chainers or Pixels if fun and crypto rewards excite you.

Always use Brave with Shields up when accessing these platforms. You will need to turn the shield off for the actual website you are using but any popups that happen will be shielded. Protect your accounts with 2FA. Create long strong passwords for everything and never reuse passwords. Be super careful with emails, always verify directly on official websites. Most importantly, protect your wallet keys as fiercely as you protect your wallet itself.

This balanced approach lets you enjoy earning and stacking crypto with confidence, knowing you’re protected from the most common and dangerous threats.

Thanks for reading everyone! Earning online has become a passion of mine these past couple of years. This technology is growing and the amount of ways to earn and take part in the different ecosystems is growing as well. Stay safe everyone and remember, stay curious and keep learning.

My Website

Have a great week and new year everyone 🌎✌️

Original Article on Medium