What is Trezor and Why Use the Official Start Page?
Trezor is a leading hardware wallet designed to provide the highest level of security for digital assets by isolating private keys offline. The address, trezor.io/start, serves as the singular, officially designated gateway for new and existing users to install the necessary bridge application, verify their device's authenticity, and initiate the critical firmware installation and wallet setup process. This centralization is a crucial security measure to prevent users from accidentally downloading malicious software from third-party or phishing sites.
Always double-check the URL in your browser to ensure you are connecting directly to https://suite.trezor.io/web/ or a verified subdomain hosted by Trezor, which confirms the integrity of the downloaded software.
Firmware Integrity and Physical Security Checks
The very first step of connecting to the start page involves verifying the device's firmware. Trezor devices are designed to be shipped without pre-installed firmware. During the first connection via /start, the official software checks for the unique device signature and guides the user through the installation of the genuine, signed firmware. This process prevents supply-chain attacks where a malicious party might attempt to load compromised software onto the device before it reaches the customer.
Crucial Physical Check: Upon receiving your device, inspect the packaging for any signs of tampering. Trezor ships devices with security seals (often holographic or unique seals) that, if broken or misplaced, indicate the device may have been compromised and should not be used.
The Importance of the Recovery Seed (Mnemonic Phrase)
During the initialization process, the device generates a unique sequence of 12, 18, or 24 words known as the Recovery Seed (or mnemonic phrase). This seed is the **only backup** of your entire wallet. Its security is paramount, and the process is strictly designed to display these words *only* on the secure Trezor screen, never on the connected computer's screen.
- Write Down ONLY: The seed must be written down manually on the provided recovery card.
- Never Digitize: You must never take a picture of it, store it in a password manager, or type it into any computer, phone, or cloud storage service.
- Offline Storage: Store the physical copy in a secure, fireproof, and waterproof location. Loss of this seed means permanent loss of funds if the Trezor device is destroyed or lost.
Protecting Your Device with a PIN and Passphrase
After the seed is recorded, users are prompted to set a PIN. This PIN acts as a local security layer to prevent unauthorized access to the device itself. Crucially, the PIN entry is randomized: the numbers displayed on the Trezor screen correspond to positions on the computer screen, making keyboard loggers ineffective.
The Passphrase Feature: For advanced security, Trezor offers an optional Passphrase feature (a 25th word). If used, this passphrase creates a completely separate, "hidden" wallet. Without both the Recovery Seed and the Passphrase, the funds cannot be accessed, even if the device or the seed is stolen. This is an advanced security measure that requires diligent memorization, as there is no backup for the passphrase itself.