Trezor.io/Start: Full Security Setup for Maximum Protection

The security chain for your hardware wallet begins the moment the package arrives. Since Trezor is the guarantor of offline security, you must first verify the physical integrity of the device and its packaging to ensure zero tampering during transit. This step is non-negotiable and must be done meticulously.

1.1 Inspecting the Seals

• Trezor One (Model T): Check the silver, tamper-evident holographic seal covering the USB port (Trezor One) or the magnetic, breakable seal on the box opening (Model T). These seals are designed to show irreversible damage if peeled, scratched, or interfered with. They should be pristine, firm, and fully opaque where expected.
• Packaging Integrity: Look for puncture marks, glue residue, or signs that the box was opened and resealed. Any evidence of pre-opening, even minor, should halt your setup immediately.

1.2 Contents Inventory

Confirm all official items are present: the Trezor device, the USB cable, and the blank Recovery Seed Cards (usually 2-3). Familiarize yourself with the device and proceed only if you are 100% confident in the package’s integrity.

Trezor hardware arrives "blank" (without firmware) as a critical security feature against supply chain manipulation. The firmware installation happens during initialization and is the foundation of the device's cryptographic engine.

2.1 Installing Trezor Suite

• The Official Gateway: Navigate directly to suite.trezor.io. Download the dedicated desktop application. Avoid search engine results or third-party links, which can lead to phishing malware designed to steal your keys.
• Connection: Connect the Trezor to your computer using the supplied USB cable. The device screen will prompt you to begin the setup.

2.2 Firmware Installation and Verification

• Installation: Follow the Trezor Suite prompts to install the latest official firmware. This process is seamless but requires your manual confirmation on the physical device screen.
• Fingerprint Matching: After installation, the Trezor screen will display a unique cryptographic hash—the "Firmware Fingerprint." You MUST manually compare this hash with the one displayed in the Trezor Suite software. This step verifies that the firmware loaded onto your device is 100% legitimate and digitally signed by SatoshiLabs (Trezor's creator).

The Recovery Seed (12, 18, or 24 words based on the BIP39 standard) is the single, non-recoverable master key to your funds. If you lose your Trezor, this seed is used to restore your wallet on a new device. If someone steals this seed, they steal your crypto.

3.1 The Offline Generation Protocol

• Screen-Only Display: The 12 or 24 words will appear exclusively on the physical Trezor screen. They are NEVER displayed on the connected computer. This is the ultimate defense against all forms of malware, keyloggers, and screen captures.
• Physical Transcription: Use the provided blank recovery cards. Write down the words clearly, numbered sequentially, and double-check every spelling. Do not rush this process. Use a permanent pen and ensure the handwriting is legible.
• Confirmation: Trezor Suite will require you to re-enter a few randomly selected words using the on-screen keyboard (or via the Model T touch screen). This confirms you wrote down the seed correctly.

3.2 Seed Storage and Separation Strategy

• Extreme Seclusion: The seed must be stored in a location completely isolated from your device and your computer. Consider fireproof document safes, bank safety deposit boxes, or secure, hidden locations in your home.
• Mitigating Digital Risk: Do not ever digitize the seed phrase (no photos, no cloud storage, no text files). The seed must exist ONLY on paper (or etched into metal for ultimate durability).

The PIN acts as the physical access control for your device. It is the first line of defense if your Trezor is physically stolen. It is required for connecting the device and confirming high-value transactions.

4.1 The Dynamic PIN Entry System

• Randomized Grid: When prompted, the numbers 1-9 will appear in a randomized, unique 3x3 grid on the Trezor screen.
• Manual Mapping: The Trezor Suite will show a blank 3x3 grid. You must map the position of the numbers on the Trezor screen to the position of the blank fields on your computer screen to enter your PIN.
• Anti-Surveillance Feature: Since the number positions are randomized every time, anyone watching your screen or shoulder-surfing cannot determine the actual sequence of numbers you entered.

4.2 PIN Best Practices

• Length and Complexity: Use a PIN between 4 and 9 digits. The longer the PIN, the exponentially stronger the protection. Avoid easily guessable sequences (e.g., 1234, 1111).
• Brute-Force Defense: The Trezor hardware implements a progressive lock delay after incorrect PIN attempts. This time penalty increases with each failure, making automated brute-force attacks physically impossible.

The Passphrase is the most powerful optional security feature Trezor offers. It adds an arbitrary, user-defined word or phrase to your 12/24 word seed, creating an entirely new, cryptographically separate wallet. This is the recommended practice for significant holdings.

5.1 Why Use a Passphrase?

• Hidden Wallets: The combination of (Seed + NO Passphrase) creates one wallet. The combination of (Seed + Passphrase "A") creates a second, unique wallet. (Seed + Passphrase "B") creates a third, and so on.
• Plausible Deniability: If your physical Trezor device is seized or you are coerced into unlocking it, you can provide the PIN and access a decoy (standard) wallet, keeping your true, high-value assets secured in the hidden wallet protected by the passphrase.

5.2 Operational Risks and Management

• Non-Recoverable: The passphrase is NEVER stored on the device or the seed card. It must be memorized or secured with the highest level of non-digital secrecy.
• Loss is Absolute: Forgetting the passphrase means all funds in that specific hidden wallet are permanently lost, even if you still have your 12/24 word recovery seed.

This feature moves your primary security guarantor from the physical object to your memory and knowledge. Only utilize this if you fully understand the consequences of loss.

Once your PIN and Recovery Seed (and optionally, the Passphrase) are set, the initialization is complete.

6.1 Testing the Recovery Seed

Before sending substantial funds, it is highly recommended to perform a "Dry Run Recovery" or "Check Recovery" test (available in Trezor Suite). This function allows you to test your written seed phrase against the device without exposing your seed to the computer. Successfully passing this test provides assurance that your backup is valid.

6.2 Transaction Protocol

The golden rule for transactions: You MUST verify the receiving address displayed on the Trezor screen against the address shown in Trezor Suite. Malware can intercept and swap addresses on the computer, but the Trezor screen is malware-proof. Always confirm the final destination address on the physical hardware before confirming any send operation.

6.3 Ongoing Security Hygiene

• Keep it Offline: Your Trezor should remain unplugged when not actively used.
• Software Updates: Always apply firmware and Trezor Suite updates promptly, but only after verifying the source.