@davidhay - Interesting series you got here with crypto and chronic :D
I like the contrast this casual format brings to your other, more serious videos/content.
I agree with your statements regarding the HW-Wallets. As far as I can judge it's borderline impossible to manipulate the HW-Wallet itself, for an attacker to get access to private keys/funds, without the user noticing said manipulation.
Most of the "hacks" turn out to be based on confusing the user, who is tricked into making a mistake.
Another example was the Nano Ledger issue, which again, was not a hack of the HW-Wallet itself, but caused by malicious JavaScript code on the users' machine. I don't own a ledger but as far as I understood, the JavaScript code injected the attackers' address when new addresses to receive deposits were generated. Although this is unfortunate, the private keys that are stored on the device were/are safe.
To me, it seems that there are a lot of much weaker links in the chain, so why should an attacker bother to tamper with the HW itself?
Personally, I still prefer to buy a new wallet, by ordering it from the vendor or an official reseller. The original packaging won't allow anyone to open it and close it again without leaving damage / broken seals and ordering it from the vendor directly minimizes the parties that touch it in between.
I guess this is as safe as it can get...
BTW: With all the recent uncertainties about the rebranding/split of MyEtherwallet into MyEtherWallet and MyCrypto, having a hardware wallet to store your private keys is a huge advantage.
No matter what happens to the platform(s) you use, your keys and funds stay safe.
RE: Bitcoin Hodl 🔥 Why Bitcoin is King ⚡ Crypto & Chronic Episode 6