How to set up Metamask
MetaMask is a wallet to hold ETH, ERC-20 based tokens, ERC-721 based tokens, or NFTs in the form of a browser extension for Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers, such as Brave. The extension is made to make various Ethereum-based decentralized applications more easily accessible to more people.
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What does MetaMask do?
MetaMask works like a link between a regular browser and the Ethereum blockchain. It allows users to access dApps (decentralized applications, or applications written on top of the Ethereum blockchain). MetaMask was created to be a more accessible way for anyone to get involved, including a very user-friendly interface, detailed customer support pages, and built-in coin exchanges.
Is MetaMask Safe?
MetaMask has also taken many steps to be as safe as possible, including being an HD wallet, or hierarchical deterministic wallet, which means it automatically generates a combination of public and private addresses. This includes a 12–word master seed key, which should never be shared with anyone. This is the location of your stored cryptocurrencies and tokens on the blockchain and can be used to reset a locked account. MetaMask also does not store these keys on its own server, like many other wallet providers. All public and private keys of the user are stored on the user's own browser, which adds a lot more security.
A potential point of concern is that since it is a browser extension, your browser may have access to information about when and how you use MetaMask (but not your private keys). Some people are not comfortable with this information being shared, and Google Chrome can be somewhat of an unpopular choice for cryptocurrency users. It’s also an online wallet, as opposed to a hardware or paper wallet, which can cause some level of security concern.
With multiple layers of security in place, MetaMask itself seems relatively safe — but as with all online activity, the safety of your private information is only as safe as you are responsible online.
How do I use MetaMask?
First make sure you’re on a browser that is compatible with MetaMask, such as Google Chrome or Brave. Visit the MetaMask website, and click “Download” in the top right corner, or “Download Now” in the center.
After the download is complete, the extension should appear as a fox icon on your taskbar. Simply click on this icon to proceed. When the extension opens, click “Get Started”.
Next, you’re going to want to select “Create a wallet”.
MetaMask will ask if you’d like to share usage data to improve the extension. Whether you select “No Thanks” or “I agree” is up to you.
After making your selection on data sharing, you’ll be asked to create a password. You’re going to want to make sure your password is unique from other passwords you use and very secure.
Now you’re going to get a 12-word seed phrase. Make sure to write this down somewhere secure, preferably offline such as in a notebook or pad. Make sure you note that the order of the words is important! Do not share this with anyone; whoever has this has access to your cryptocurrency. Since MetaMask does not store this information, if you lose it, your wallet will not be able to be recovered. When you’ve written it down somewhere safe and secure, select “Next”.
Now you’ll have to select the words in the correct order to make sure you’ve written your seed phrase down correctly.
And that’s it! Select “All Done” and you’ll be able to access your new wallet.
And this is what the wallet looks like.
Using MetaMask
Now that MetaMask is all set up, you can get started using it! What you use it for is up to you, based on what you want to do. Being such a diverse extension, there are lots of options. You can buy crypto, or load your wallet with crypto you already have and begin interacting with dApps.
To load your wallet with crypto you already have, click the button at the top where it says “Account 1” (or the account name if you’ve changed it) to copy the public address to send it to. You can also give this address to others to send crypto to you. You can exchange, buy, sell, or even visit sillier things like Cryptokitties and other blockchain games now.
This article is not intended to be taken as financial advice. If you found this article helpful please subscribe to VoskCoin here on Medium, YouTube, and check out the VoskCoin website!
