HOW TO SET UP A METAMASK WALLET

FIRST - What is METAMASK and WHY DO I NEED IT?

METAMASK is simply a tool that allows you access to your crypto currencies. Consider this similar to what you have with your bank, where you can log in and see your accounts, your money and you can also send and receive crypto through this tool.

Step #1 - Download the Metamask Chrome Extension

To create a wallet, you first need to install the browser extension.

Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge browsers all support MetaMask.

Since there are many scams and fake websites out there, it's recommended to Google 'download MetaMask' and ensuring that you're visiting https://metamask.io before giving out any info or downloading any extensions.

Once on MetaMask's website, you'll click "Install MetaMask for Chrome" and you'll be taken to the Chrome store to download and add the extension to your browser.

Step #2 - Creating Your Account

Once you've added the extension to your browser, the next step is setting up your account.

If this is your first time, after opening MetaMask, you'll most likely get a screen similar to the one below and you'll want to select "Create a Wallet".​
After doing so, you'll be asked to accept the terms of use and will then need to create a password (this password will be needed for logging into your wallet from time to time).

Then, the most important step follows - revealing and then securing your seed phrase.

When you reach the screen below, you'll click 'click here to reveal secret words':
It will then reveal your 12-word secret backup phrase. Do not screenshare when doing this or let anyone see this phrase.
Do not copy & paste these words into your Notes app or anywhere on your computer or phone.

These need to be written down and stored offline.

When writing down your seed phrase, remember that it must be written in sequential order in the same way that it was presented on the screen.

Losing a seed phrase or mis-writing it means that you'll lose access to all of the crypto held in that wallet.

You will then be asked to confirm that phrase in the same order it was presented in before.
After confirming, you're done with the wallet set up

Step #3 - SECURE YOUR SEED-PHRASE

IMPORTANT: 100% of the responsibility of keeping your crypto safe is on you and ONLY YOU! If anyone gets your private keys, they can easily take everything you own within minutes and there will be nothing you can do about it.

So keeping your keys are in my mind, exact same thing as if I had cash in hand. I wouldn't leave that laying around somewhere un-secure.

Step #4 - KNOW YOUR WALLET

#1 - Store Your Secret Phrase Offline

There are many different techniques to storing your crypto keys safely. See "Keep Your Crypto Safe" article for more information.