Dec 08, 2020 Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge all support Metamask. Opera users can use Metamask through Chrome extensions, though issues have been reported. Apple and Android devices also support the app. Once you have installed Metamask, click on the Metamask icon in your browser’s toolbar to open the app. Then, click on “Get Started.” 2. What is Metamask MetaMask is a cryptocurrency wallet but also a web browser extension (available in Chrome, Firefox and Brave) used to store, send and receive Ethereum and ERC20. In other words, it allows users to make Ethereum transactions through regular websites. MetaMask can be used to store keys for Ethereum cryptocurrencies only.
Metamask is a cryptocurrency wallet which can be used on the Chrome, Firefox and Brave browsers. It’s also a browser extension. This means that it works like a bridge between normal browsers and the Ethereum blockchain.
The Ethereum blockchain is a network where users can build their own apps (which are called dApps) and cryptocurrencies. Ethereum also allows its users to write transaction guidelines called smart contracts. MetaMask can be used to store keys for Ethereum cryptocurrencies only.
So, the MetaMask wallet can be used for storing keys for Ether and ERC20 tokens on three different web browsers. It also allows users to browse the Ethereum blockchain from a standard browser. MetaMask requires no login and does not store your private keys in any server, instead they are stored on Chrome and password protected.
- 1Metamask Review
Metamask Review[edit]
MetaMask is a dedicated way to allows you to run Ethereum Apps right in your browser without running a full Ethereum node. This wallet simplify the ethereum transactions. In Firefox browser you can download its extension and soon they will improve one for Google Chrome.
One of the core features of MetaMask is a secure identity vault, which lets you manage your identities on different sites and sign blockchain transactions.
The overall goal of MetaMask is simple:
MetaMask vs MyEtherWallet[edit]
MyEtherWallet is one of the most widely used Ethereum wallets. It’s an online platform but isn’t an online-only wallet. Think of MyEtherWallet more as a wallet generator. It’s a platform where users can create their own wallet and get access to the Ethereum blockchain. Users can view their cryptocurrencies which are held within any Ethereum private key using MEW.
The wallets users create give them complete control of their keys. They can be used as hot or cold storage. MetaMask can only be used for hot storage. MyEtherWallet can also be used as a full node wallet. This means that it’s connected directly to the Ethereum blockchain and stores the whole ledger on your device.
MetaMask communicates with the Ethereum ledger through a system called Infura. This means that it trusts other computers to keep it up to date with the Ethereum network. Full node systems are generally preferred to systems that involve trusting middlemen like Infura.
MyEtherWallet can even be used access to write smart contracts, whereas MetaMask cannot. So, is MyEtherWallet better than Metamask? In some ways, it is, however both platforms are flexible enough to be used together. When combined, the two systems offer an impressive wallet package. So, don’t think of it as MetaMask vs MyEtherWallet as they’re on the same team!
Advantages[edit]
- Open source: This means that all the MetaMask code is online and free to access. You can build your own version at home! I’m kidding, don’t do that. I mean, you could but don’t. Open-source software can be reviewed and updated by the community, meaning that it can be continuously improved.
- HD settings: Hierarchical deterministic settings help users backup their accounts. They do this by giving the user a list of words called seed phrases. Seed phrases can be used to reset lost account information.
- Built-in coin purchasing: MetaMask links directly with two exchanges where users can buy cryptocurrency. Users can select Coinbase to purchase Ether and ShapeShift to buy Ether or ERC20 tokens.
- Customer support: MetaMask wants to get as many people involved with the Ethereum network as it can. It has a video introduction on its homepage, and a detailed support page.
- Simple interface: Once it’s set up, MetaMask is very simple to use. All of its features are laid out clearly so sending and receiving currency is easy, even for beginners!
- Local key storage: Some wallet providers store keys on their own servers. This is common on exchanges which provide wallets, like Coinbase. MetaMask keys are stored on the user’s own browser, not on any remote servers. This gives the user more control over their public and private keys.
- Community: MetaMask is an important part of the Ethereum community. It’s got more than a million active users and has over 40 thousand followers on Twitter[1].
MetaMask wallet disadvantages[edit]
- Browser access: MetaMask doesn’t have access to any of your information but the browser it’s installed on will. Your browser won’t have access to your private codes but it may collect information about when and how you use the app.Mozilla and Google aren’t very popular in the crypto community. Many crypto users will feel uncomfortable allowing these companies to collect information about them. This may stop some users from trying the MetaMask wallet.
- Online: Online wallets have advantages and disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages is security. Any information that’s stored online is more at risk from hackers than information that’s stored offline. MetaMask doesn’t provide enough security by itself. Remember; always use more than one kind of wallet.
- Creepy fox: I wouldn’t normally mention this because I take my job seriously. However, the MetaMask fox mascot is really quite scary. Check out the way it follows the cursor around the screen with its dead eyes.
External links[edit]
See Also on BitcoinWiki[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑https://www.bitdegree.org/tutorials/metamask/ – MetaMask Wallet Review
Over the past week, users of the MetaMask cryptocurrency wallet have been losing funds to a phishing scam that lured potential victims through Google search ads.
MetaMask has a community of more than one million users. The site offers an Ethereum cryptocurrency wallet in the browser via a browser extension that lets distributed applications read from the blockchain.
When installing the legitimate extension, you can either import an existing wallet or create a new one along with the secret seed phrase that allows access to the wallet.
MetaMask users find empty wallets
Although it is unclear how many MetaMask users fell for the scam, some say they ended up with empty wallets after clicking on a fraudulent search ad being promoted as the MetaMask site.
The phishing/ad scam is still active, with a new domain constantly being promoted via Google search ads.
On Wednesday, MetaMask alerted its community of the scam and recommended the use of direct links to the legitimate metamask.io URL and to stay away from sponsored ads.
The warning came too late for some users, though, as some users reported losses of tens of thousands of U.S. dollars.
Complaints started pouring in this week, all stories describing the same scenario: the money was gone after trying to install the MetaMask browser extension.
It was determined that the users were going to a fake MetaMask phishing page through Google ads. Once on the page, they are prompted to install the extension, which will give them an option to either import an existing wallet or create a new one.
If they click on the 'Create Wallet' button, they are brought to the real MetaMask.io site as there are no cryptocurrency to steal. However, if they click on the 'Import a wallet' option, they will be asked to enter the key phrase of their existing wallet, which is then sent to the attacker.
As soon as the scammer got the seed phrase, they proceeded to empty the victims’ wallets. In replies to MetaMask’s warning on Twitter, one user said they were robbed of nearly $30,000.
Multiple domains pushed in Google search ads
The scammers purchased Google ads to target users searching for MetaMask in the Google search engine. These ads led to a fraudulent domain impersonating the cryptocurrency service.
They registered multiple domains for the scam, which is currently ongoing, as seen in the screenshot below taken by BleepingComputer:
The domain maskmefa[.]io is currently promoted in search ads when looking for MetaMask on Google. The spelling of the service in the title ad should be a red flag, but most users are likely to miss this (note the Russian 'к' and space before the top-level domain). A whois lookup on Domaintools shows that it was registered only yesterday.
Blockchain forensics company CipherTrace in a post this week mentions three other domains used for the scam:
- maskmeha[.]io
- installmetamask[.]com
- meramaks[.]io
The first two are ten and nine days old, respectively, while the third was registered yesterday. All were registered through the same registrar, NameCheap.
Users landing on the fraudulent sites would have difficulty spotting the fraud because it looks almost identical to the legitimate MetaMask page. Even if they check the domain in the address bar, there is a high chance of falling for the trick.
The only difference between the original MetaMask site and the fake one is unnoticeable for most users (the writing on the button for getting the extension).
Scams and malware attacks increase in frequency during the holiday season when consumers spend more enticed by discounts or special offers and are more easily distracted.
Paying extra attention to download sources reduces the chance of becoming a victim. MetaMask’s advice to access resources from direct, official links (e.g., company accounts on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook) and avoiding redirects from third parties (e.g., URLs in messages) is a good way to not fall for a scam.
Update [12/720]: MetaMask users are being targeted via ads displayed at the top of the results in other search engines. BleepingComputer today captured a screenshot showing fraudulent MetaMask ads in DuckDuckGo when the region filter was active.
Web app hacker Sean Roesner found that the malicious ads were also running on Microsoft Bing and Yahoo, he published screenshots in a tweet today, saying 'Can't trust ANY search providers. They all allow scammers to run malicious ads.'
Isn't just @Google , it's on @DuckDuckGo, @bing and @Yahoo now
Can't trust ANY search providers. They all allow scammers to run malicious ads -_- https://t.co/MFE9zkBV4vpic.twitter.com/enpYfC8Z0y
Install Metamask Firefox
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