When I was first looking into crypto and reading of all the scams (many perpetuated by exchanges) I read comments about people selling these hardware wallets on Ebay with back doors installed. I also know of people who have sold used computers with back doors they installed as well. Since then, so many reports of back doors right from the manufacturer in the hardware, back doors exploits in the software. Looking into figuring out Linux so I can get away from Microsoft and reading even the popular Ubuntu has code no person seeking privacy would want. I resolved to myself if I ever got any real value in crypto I would only be safest using a paper wallet.

But even then, your worries of it being compromised the minute it was online are justified. So much hacking going on. Came across a guy years ago that would keep wallets on his computer with small amounts of Bitcoin in them so he would know when they were in his computer as they emptied the small balances out. Obviously wouldn't work with patient hackers. If they can hack the DOD, the security suite from Walmart isn't going to do much. That's not even considering how much hacking the government might be doing. Black op projects always need untraceable cash, and there isn't any pesky KYC crap involved for hackers, lol.

Appreciate your further confirmation not much has changed in the last couple years. Wonder if it ever will as it doesn't seem we will have the ability to manufacture this stuff for ourselves in the near future.