Most account takeovers exploit the gap between signup and the moment a user finally enables protection. Close that gap by making security the default path, not an optional settings page nobody visits.
Enforce strong, unique secrets at creation
Reject reused and breached passwords at the boundary with a k-anonymity check against a compromised-password API — you never send the full hash:
const prefix = sha1(password).slice(0, 5);
const list = await fetch(`https://api.pwnedpasswords.com/range/${prefix}`).then(r => r.text());
if (list.includes(sha1(password).slice(5).toUpperCase())) reject("breached");
Make 2FA the onboarding step, not a chore
Offer TOTP enrollment inside the first-run flow, before the first deposit or sensitive action. Show the QR, verify one code, and store recovery codes — completion rates collapse the moment you defer it to "later".
Verify, then trust
Confirm the email before granting privileged actions and walk the user through each step instead of failing silently. A guided setup that hides no terms converts far better than a wall of security jargon.
Real-world reference
Platforms built for first-time users are a good model for low-friction onboarding. A site like FieryPlay shows a clear registration, sensible starting bonuses and transparent rules — the kind of frictionless first-run flow that keeps users from bouncing before they're protected.
Takeaway
Breach-check at creation, enroll 2FA during onboarding, and gate privileged actions behind a verified email. Secure defaults beat a security page nobody opens.
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