1. Immediate setup — five essential steps
Begin with a secure foundation: the following five steps minimize risk during the critical first minutes with your device.
- Verify package integrity. Inspect the box and tamper-evident seals. If anything looks altered, contact official support before proceeding.
- Download only from official sources. Use the official Trezor website to download the Suite. Avoid third‑party or mirrored links.
- Create a new wallet and write your recovery seed by hand. Store the seed in a secure, offline location. Do not photograph or store the seed on any digital device.
- Set a strong PIN and optional passphrase. Use a PIN that isn't guessable. Consider a passphrase only if you understand the additional responsibility.
- Confirm firmware authenticity. Before accepting updates, check the Suite’s firmware verification prompts to ensure your device is genuine and uncompromised.
2. How Trezor keeps keys safe
Trezor isolates private keys in secure hardware. Signing operations occur inside the device so that sensitive material never touches your computer. The Suite acts as a visual and UX layer — showing addresses and transaction details while the device executes cryptographic operations.
3. Practical daily practices
- Always confirm on-device: Never approve transactions from the computer alone; verify amounts and destination addresses on the device screen.
- Keep software lean: Limit extensions and untrusted apps on your main machine. Use the Suite application rather than random browser integrations.
- Backups and redundancy: Consider splitting your recovery seed across secure locations or using a metal backup to withstand fire and water.
- Periodic checks: Reconnect and verify your device occasionally to ensure firmware is current and the device functions as expected.
4. Advanced features worth knowing
Trezor supports passphrases for hidden wallets, multiple accounts per coin, and fine-grained coin settings. For power users, passphrases provide plausible deniability but increase operational complexity — document your choices carefully and keep recovery data safe.
5. Common questions and answers
What happens if I lose my device?
Your funds are recoverable using your recovery seed on another compatible device. If the seed is lost and has no backup, recovery is not possible. Treat the seed as the single source of truth.
Can I share the wallet with someone else?
You can use the same seed on multiple devices for redundancy, but sharing access increases risk. Instead, use multisignature setups for shared control where possible.
6. Closing — secure habits to adopt now
Build a habit of cautious verification: always read device screens, avoid shortcuts that bypass prompts, and maintain a single, secure source for your seed. Over time these consistent small actions protect against the majority of common threats facing cryptocurrency holders.