Introduction
Why secure hardware wallets matter
Hardware wallets like Ledger store private keys offline, protecting your crypto from online attacks. This presentation walks you through the Ledger.com/start onboarding process, how to set up and protect your Ledger® device, and the habits to keep your funds safe. Read each step carefully and follow recommended best practices.
Before You Begin
What to prepare
- Stable internet connection and a computer or phone you control
- A clean workspace away from public Wi‑Fi if possible
- Paper and pen (not a digital file) for backing up your recovery phrase
- Only use the official website: Ledger.com/start. Avoid third‑party links.
Step-by-Step Setup
Initialize your Ledger® device
1 Connect your Ledger device and open Ledger Live (download from Ledger.com only). Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new wallet or restore an existing one.
2 Choose a PIN code you can remember but is hard for others to guess. Never share your PIN.
3 Write down the 24‑word recovery phrase exactly as shown. This is the single backup of your keys. Store it offline in a secure place—consider splitting across safe locations.
Security Best Practices
Protect your recovery phrase
- Never take photos or store your recovery phrase on any cloud service or phone.
- Use a fireproof/waterproof safe, or a metal backup plate, to protect against physical damage.
- Consider a secondary encrypted backup kept in a geographically separated location.
Daily Use
Receiving and sending crypto
Manage accounts through Ledger Live. Always verify addresses on your Ledger device screen before confirming a transaction. This prevents malware from displaying a different address on your computer while the device displays the correct one.
- Double-check recipient addresses — copy/paste risks interception on compromised machines.
- Test with a small transaction first when sending to a new address.
Advanced Tips
Improve resilience and privacy
- Use passphrase support carefully: it creates an additional hidden wallet (but if lost, access is permanently lost).
- Use multiple devices or multisig wallets for larger holdings to reduce single‑point failure risk.
- Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date; updates often patch security and compatibility issues.
Troubleshooting
Common questions
If your device is unresponsive, reboot, try another cable or USB port, and confirm you downloaded Ledger Live from the official site. If you lose your device but retain your recovery phrase, you can restore to a new Ledger or compatible wallet. If you lose the recovery phrase and the device, funds are unrecoverable.
Safety Checklist
Quick review
- Downloaded Ledger Live from Ledger.com/start
- Set a unique PIN and stored your 24‑word phrase offline
- Verified addresses on the device before confirming transactions
- Kept device firmware and apps current