Trezor Setup Protocol

Security First | Trezor.io/Start®

CRITICAL STARTING PROCEDURE

Initiating Your Cold Storage Sanctuary

This guide details the foundational steps for initializing your Trezor hardware wallet. Unlike software wallets, a hardware device introduces a physical security layer, demanding a meticulous, distraction-free setup. The goal is the creation and infallible storage of your **Recovery Seed**, the ultimate master key to your entire digital fortune.

1 Hardware Integrity and Connection

**The Anti-Tampering Protocol:** Before connecting the device, conduct a physical inspection. Ensure the packaging is intact, the hologram seal is unbroken, and the device has no signs of prior use or manipulation. Trezor devices are shipped without pre-installed firmware. If your device displays a welcome screen or asks for a PIN *before* you initiate the setup, **immediately halt the process** and contact Trezor support. This is the cornerstone of trust.

  • **Action:** Connect your Trezor device to your computer using the supplied USB cable.
  • **Verification:** Your device should display a static, safe message like `go to trezor.io/start`.
  • **Software Source:** Navigate exclusively to the official, verified URL: trezor.io/start. Never use third-party applications or non-canonical links.

2 Trezor Suite Desktop and Firmware Deployment

**The Trusted Interface:** Trezor recommends downloading and using the **Trezor Suite** desktop application. This application provides a hardened, dedicated environment, minimizing browser-based security vectors. Once installed, the Suite will detect your device and prompt for the initial firmware installation.

**Firmware Signature Verification:** The Trezor Suite automatically verifies the cryptographic signature of the firmware against the official public key. The *only* valid firmware is signed by SatoshiLabs. Your Trezor device will display a unique fingerprint on its screen; **you must manually verify** that this fingerprint matches the one displayed in the Trezor Suite software before proceeding. This confirms you are loading legitimate, non-malicious code onto your secure element.

3 Recovery Seed Transcendence (The Master Key)

This is the most critical step. The **Recovery Seed** (a sequence of 12, 18, or 24 words based on the BIP39 standard) is a human-readable representation of your private keys. It is generated by the true random number generator (TRNG) inside the Trezor and **is displayed only on the secure screen of the device**.

🛑 WARNING: NON-DIGITAL RECORD REQUIRED

**NEVER** photograph, type, scan, or store your Recovery Seed digitally (in the cloud, on a computer, or even in a password manager). Record it meticulously on the provided paper backup card(s). The physical act of writing is the only secure method.

  • **Generation:** Choose your desired word length (24 words offers marginally stronger security).
  • **Recording:** Write down each word clearly and verify the spelling *immediately*.
  • **Storage:** Store the physical seed phrase in multiple secure, undisclosed, fireproof, and waterproof locations. This paper is now the single point of failure and recovery.

4 Local PIN Configuration and Obfuscation

The PIN (Personal Identification Number) acts as the local protection against physical theft or unauthorized access. It is required every time you connect your Trezor device. The PIN input method is uniquely designed for security.

**The Randomized Keypad:** The Trezor Suite software displays a 3x3 grid of dots on your computer screen. Simultaneously, the Trezor device displays a 3x3 numeric keypad where the numbers are randomly shuffled. When entering your PIN on the computer, you click the *dot* that corresponds to the number's *position* on the Trezor screen. This process defeats keyloggers and screen-capture malware.

  • **Selection:** Choose a PIN of 4 to 9 digits. Longer PINs are always recommended.
  • **Memorization:** Memorize the PIN; do not write it near the device or the Recovery Seed.
  • **Confirmation:** The setup process requires you to enter the PIN twice to ensure accuracy.

Post-Setup Security and Operational Best Practices

  • **Passphrase Activation (Optional, but Recommended):** Immediately consider enabling the **Passphrase** (the 25th word) feature. This creates a hidden wallet (or "plausible deniability" wallet) derived from your seed and a user-defined word. Even if your Recovery Seed is compromised, the attacker still needs this passphrase to access the main funds.
  • **Minimize Online Exposure:** Only connect your Trezor to a clean, trusted computer for necessary transactions. Disconnect it immediately afterward. Do not leave the device plugged in.
  • **Authenticity Verification:** Always cross-reference the transaction details (address, amount) on the **Trezor screen** itself, not just on your computer screen. This is the device's main security function—it verifies the transaction is what you intended to sign.
  • **Software Updates:** Only update firmware or Trezor Suite when prompted by the official application. Never download updates from emails or web links.

Frequently Asked Questions (5 Key Inquiries)

A Passphrase is an extra, user-defined word or phrase added to your standard 12/24-word Recovery Seed. It is not recorded on your backup card. It creates a completely separate, "hidden" wallet. Its primary purpose is *coercion resistance*: if an attacker forces you to hand over your Trezor and Recovery Seed, you can provide them access to a decoy wallet (a wallet derived only from the seed, without the passphrase), while your main funds remain protected in the hidden wallet. It's an essential layer of security for high-value holders.

Yes, within limits. The core function of Trezor is to isolate your private keys from the host computer. As long as you are *only* entering the PIN and confirming transactions directly on the Trezor screen, your keys remain safe. However, the host computer could still be infected with malware that switches the destination address during a transaction. Therefore, **always use the device's screen to verify the receiving address** before approving a transaction, and try to use trusted machines whenever possible.

The **PIN** is a local security measure for the *device*. It unlocks the physical Trezor unit so it can sign transactions. If you lose the device, the PIN is irrelevant. The **Recovery Seed** is the *master key* to your entire wallet structure (all crypto assets). It is used to restore your wallet onto any other compatible hardware wallet. The seed protects your assets globally; the PIN protects the physical device locally.

First, try a different USB port on your computer, preferably a direct port (not a hub). Second, ensure you are using the original, supplied USB cable, as some third-party cables only support power and not data transfer. If the issue persists, the computer might be in a low-power state; try restarting it. If these basic checks fail, and you are running the Trezor Suite, check the connectivity status within the application to diagnose a driver or OS-related issue.

Recovery is executed using the **Recovery Seed** that you wrote down during Step 3. You can purchase a new Trezor (or a compatible wallet from a different vendor) and select the "Restore Wallet" or "Recover Wallet" option during setup. The device will then prompt you to input your 12/24-word seed phrase. Once restored, your new device will generate the exact same private keys, granting you full access to your original funds, which are stored on the blockchain, not on the physical device itself.