Bitcoin Forum

Other => Beginners & Help => Topic started by: butka on May 12, 2018, 08:15:14 AM



Title: [Guide] How to Install MetaMask for Chrome
Post by: butka on May 12, 2018, 08:15:14 AM
When I first tried to install an Ethereum wallet locally on my computer, I soon found out that it wasn't an easy task.
In contrast to the ease of installing my favorite Electrum Bitcoin wallet, I wasn't able to find a simple desktop Ethereum
wallet that would work without problems. So I was forced to use MyEtherWallet.com (MEW).

Recently I discovered MetaMask.

Metamask is a safer alternative to MyEtherWallet because it prevents phishing and should in general be a better
option than using a direct online MEW wallet.

Moreover, with Metamask, you are always one click away from sending your funds. You need not search for keystore
files or private keys to transfer your tokens.

Using a hot wallet like MetaMask, however, is not a good option for long term storage of funds, so you should use MetaMask
for transferring or keeping smaller amounts of coins.

Warning: For larger amounts, you should always use HARDWARE wallets or some cold storage solution (for example MEW installed
offline on an AIR GAPPED computer (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3079550.0)).

I've seen many topics here on the forum where users complain that they have either lost their MEW private keys (or keystore files)
or they have been robbed of their tokens due to phishing when trying to manipulate their coins on MyEtherWallet.com.

Hopefully this guide can help them switch to MetaMask, which is a safer solution.

How to Install MetaMask

1. Open your chrome browser and go directly to https://metamask.io

https://i.imgur.com/0QuMwAu.jpg

2. Click on Get Chrome Extension

https://i.imgur.com/J0mOeAa.jpg

3. Click the Add to Chrome Button

https://i.imgur.com/8CbvCKF.jpg

4. Click on Add Extension

https://i.imgur.com/3KuyV8x.jpg

5. It should say Added to Chrome now

https://i.imgur.com/Qqf8Nux.jpg

6. Click on the small MetaMask icon top right in your Chrome Browser

https://i.imgur.com/P4wM5DD.jpg

7. It will connect to the Main Ethereum Network automatically
https://i.imgur.com/vcWCYUX.jpg

8. Accept the Privacy Notice and then accept the Terms of Use

https://i.imgur.com/KgDvY2I.jpg

9. Choose a strong password to encrypt your wallet
https://i.imgur.com/VGjAe1H.jpg

10. Next step is very important. Write down the 12 seed words you've been given on a
piece of paper and store them somewhere safe:

https://i.imgur.com/pvVrUIo.jpg

Knowing your seed phrase is all you need to access your tokens in case something goes wrong.

11. And that's it. Your new public address is now easy to be found:

https://i.imgur.com/TU4alEJ.jpg

12. If you click on the three dots you can view your account on etherscan, copy your public
address to the clipboard, and so on

https://i.imgur.com/7Kz7fOE.jpg

13. If you click on Send, you can enter the recipient address and send some coins.

https://i.imgur.com/tTXEkkE.jpg

14. If you click on Tokens, you can add tokens to your account.

https://i.imgur.com/DqzaDuE.jpg


I hope this short installation guide will be enough to help you install MetaMask and improve the security
of your ETH wallet and prevent the loss of tokens due to hackers or mismanagement of private keys,
especially if you are a newbie who tries to navigate the new word of Ethereum based tokens and crypto-assets.


Title: Re: [Guide] How to Install MetaMask for Chrome
Post by: bitmover on May 12, 2018, 11:27:41 AM
Good guide. I use metamask sometimes as well. Much safer than using only MEW for sure.

But I think you should run it on Firefox .
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ether-metamask/

So you don't need see Google telling the whole world that you use metamask and buy ethereum.

I think it's safer because you may become a target using Google Products, which have no privacy.


Title: Re: [Guide] How to Install MetaMask for Chrome
Post by: mithrim on May 12, 2018, 11:28:14 AM
You made yourself a lot of work here, granted, but you are aware that there is a MetaMask video on their main site at https://metamask.io/ that explains everything you did including some extra functions? ;)
So why don't you simply swap the images for the video and give some additional info that isn't in the video?

    https://i.imgur.com/8YsXu4Q.png (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gf_kRE4MJU)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gf_kRE4MJU


Title: Re: [Guide] How to Install MetaMask for Chrome
Post by: butka on May 12, 2018, 11:39:47 AM
But I think you should run it on Firefox .
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ether-metamask/

So you don't need see Google telling the whole world that you use metamask and buy ethereum.

I think it's safer because you may become a target using Google Products, which have no privacy.

Thanks. Really good tip. The privacy issue is important. I didn't know it was also available for Firefox.

You made yourself a lot of work here, granted, but you are aware that there is a MetaMask video on their main site at https://metamask.io/ that explains everything you did including some extra functions? ;)

Yes, I knew there was a video guide. Thanks for linking it from this thread, so people can choose what to follow. I think some people would find it easier to follow a step by step guide, but it is a matter of taste.


Title: Re: [Guide] How to Install MetaMask for Chrome
Post by: Cashi on May 15, 2018, 05:15:51 PM
I agree with OP that a written article is more helpful, simply because you can follow step by step. It is clearly stated out, what you need to do. So thanks OP, great work!