Welcome to the Horizon Protocol. Follow this comprehensive guide to securely initialize your hardware device and achieve the highest standard of asset protection.
This is the first critical phase. Before powering on your device, you must meticulously inspect the packaging for any signs of tampering. Check the seals, the box integrity, and compare the contents list with what you physically have. Any deviation, however minor, warrants an immediate halt and contact with support. Ensure the USB cable is correct, and the device body has no blemishes or evidence of prior use. *[Placeholder for ~250 words of detailed content.]*
Connect your device using the provided secure cable. The screen should display a welcome message. Navigate to the "Settings" or "About" section to verify the pre-installed firmware version. Cross-reference this number with the latest official version listed on the secure portal. If a mismatch is detected, do not proceed with setup; instead, perform the prescribed secure update routine via the companion application. This step is vital for mitigating known exploits. *[Placeholder for ~250 words of detailed content.]*
Security starts with a strong PIN. You will be prompted to create an access code between 4 and 8 digits. Choose a sequence that is not easily guessable (avoid dates, '1234', or repetitions). Use the device's physical buttons to input and confirm the code. Remember, this PIN protects your device physically, but not your actual assets. It's the first line of defense against unauthorized local access. *[Placeholder for ~250 words of detailed content.]*
This is the most crucial part of the entire setup. Your device will now generate a **24-word recovery phrase (seed phrase)**. This phrase is the master key to your funds. The words will be displayed sequentially on the device screen. **NEVER** photograph, digitize, or store this phrase on any connected device. You must manually transcribe it onto the provided physical recovery sheets. *[Placeholder for ~250 words of detailed content.]*
To ensure flawless transcription, the device will prompt you to verify a random selection of the 24 words. This step prevents catastrophic loss due to a simple transcription error. If you fail the verification, you must start the entire generation process over, as a corrupted seed phrase is unusable. Take your time, double-check your physical sheet against the device. Precision is paramount here. *[Placeholder for ~250 words of detailed content.]*
With the physical device secured, you can now connect it to the desktop or mobile companion application. Download the official software ONLY from the official website. The application will guide you through installing the necessary asset management applications (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) onto your device. Always confirm the application is showing the correct device ID during this syncing process. *[Placeholder for ~250 words of detailed content.]*
This section elaborates on the principles of **self-custody** and the cryptographic architecture that secures your assets. The 24-word seed phrase is not merely a password; it is the **mnemonic representation** of your Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) wallet's master private key. Understanding this concept is key to becoming a true digital sovereign. Never confuse the device PIN with the seed phrase—losing the former means you can reset the device with the latter; losing the latter means permanent loss of funds if the device is destroyed or compromised. We will also cover advanced topics like passphrase (25th word) generation, secure backup storage solutions, and what to do in the event of a suspected compromise.
The final part of the setup involves conducting a small test transaction. Always send a minimal amount of cryptocurrency to a new wallet address generated by your device and then attempt to send it back. This confirms that the entire setup—from the seed phrase generation to the application interaction and transaction signing—is functioning correctly before you transfer any substantial value. *[Placeholder for the remaining ~100 words of detailed security and troubleshooting content, totaling ~1600 words when combined with all step placeholders.]*