Security First: The **Trezor.io/start** Protocol

The foundation of securing your crypto is **authenticity**. To prevent highly sophisticated phishing attempts, you must always begin your setup at the official, verified portal: **Trezor.io/start**. This link guarantees you download the legitimate **Trezor Suite** application, ensuring your private key generation is handled by verified software. Trezor is built on an **open-source** foundation, meaning its code is publicly auditable, offering a level of trust and transparency unmatched by closed-source solutions.

By embracing a hardware wallet, you choose **self-custody**. Your keys are generated and stored offline, isolated from your internet-connected computer. This isolation, enforced by the secure environment accessed via **Trezor.io/start**, is the single most critical feature distinguishing hardware wallets from online exchanges or hot wallets. This initial verification step is non-negotiable for long-term security.

Follow these steps precisely using the Trezor Suite downloaded from **Trezor.io/start**:

1. Inspect Physical Packaging: Check for signs of tampering before connecting the device. Connect your Trezor via USB.
2. Install Official Firmware: The Trezor Suite will prompt this. The device will cryptographically verify the firmware's signature. **Confirm on the physical Trezor screen.**
3. Set Your Device PIN: Create a strong, unique **PIN code**. This prevents physical theft from immediately accessing your device. On the Model T, this is entered on the screen; on the Model One, it uses a randomized pattern.
4. Generate Recovery Seed: The device generates the **12/24-word Recovery Seed** completely offline. **Write it down immediately** on your physical Recovery Card. Do not use your computer keyboard for this.
5. Verify the Backup: The Trezor will prompt you to input words from your seed to confirm your written backup is correct. This step is mandatory for guaranteeing safe recovery later.

Once completed, your Trezor is secure. You can now use the Trezor Suite to create accounts for various coins and begin managing your assets, secure in the knowledge that your keys were generated safely via the **Trezor.io/start** protocol.

The Recovery Seed is your ultimate backup—it's the only asset that truly matters. Guard it with the highest level of physical security.

Seed Protection Rules:

• **Zero Digital Exposure:** Never type, photograph, or save the seed digitally. It must be a purely analog record.
• **Disaster Proofing:** Invest in a durable metal backup solution to protect against fire or flood, which paper cannot withstand.
• **Physical Separation:** Store the seed phrase in a physically separate, secure location from your Trezor device.

The Optional Passphrase (25th Word):

For heightened security, Trezor offers the **Passphrase**—a custom word or phrase you choose and memorize. This creates a "hidden" wallet that the 12/24-word seed alone cannot unlock.

This feature is powerful because it provides **plausible deniability**. You can set up a decoy wallet without the passphrase, containing minor funds. Your main holdings, secured by the passphrase, remain invisible even if your seed is compromised. **Critical Warning:** If you forget this passphrase, your funds are irretrievably lost, as it is not stored on the device or the seed backup generated via **Trezor.io/start**. Use this only if you have an infallible backup method for the passphrase itself.

Common questions addressed for users starting their journey at **Trezor.io/start**.

What if I lose or break my physical Trezor device?

Your funds are not stored *on* the device; they are on the blockchain, secured by the private keys derived from your **Recovery Seed**. If the device breaks, simply purchase a new Trezor (or other compatible wallet) and use your 12/24-word seed to restore access to all your funds. Your funds are only vulnerable if your seed is compromised.

Does my PIN protect me from computer viruses?

The PIN protects against physical theft. The device's security against malware is the **isolation** of the private keys. Even if your PC is infected, the malware cannot steal the keys because they never leave the Trezor chip. You must physically press a button to confirm transactions, making remote hacks impossible.

Do I need a different seed for every coin I own?

No. Your single 12 or 24-word **Recovery Seed** is the master key for all supported coins and tokens (thousands of them, including Bitcoin and Ethereum). The Trezor Suite, downloaded from **Trezor.io/start**, uses this single seed to manage all your various coin addresses and accounts.