Why a hardware wallet?
Hardware wallets store private keys offline inside a secure chip — away from internet threats. Using a Ledger hardware wallet means your crypto signing happens inside the device, and your private keys never leave the device. Combined with the official ledger.com/start onboarding and Ledger Live, this gives you a strong security posture without complicated setups.
Recovery phrase & backups
Your recovery seed (usually 24 words) is the single most important piece of information. Store it offline, consider a metal backup for fire/water resistance, and do not share or photograph it. Ledger support will never ask for your seed. If someone asks, treat it as a scam.
Advanced tips
- Use a passphrase (25th word) if you want a hidden account layer — only for advanced users.
- Test restoring periodically with a spare device to ensure your backup works.
- Consider segregation: keep small frequent-spend amounts on hot wallets and long-term savings on your Ledger.
For official downloads and the complete step-by-step walkthrough, go to ledger.com/start.