If you’ve participated in any of the seemingly endless supply of Ethereum-based ICOs lately you’ve probably come across the option of using a thing called Metamask.

How To Use MetaMask:

The first thing you need to know is that Metamask is designed specifically to be used with the Ethereum Network, this means you can only load it with Ethereum, not Ethereum Classic or any other cryptocurrency.

You can install MetaMask onto your Google Chrome Browser, and also it’s been added to the list of Firefox add ons.
So this means that if you want to use your newly installed MetaMask application, you’ll need to be using the appropriate web browser onto which you’ve installed it.

I’ve included a link down below that shows you step by step exactly how to install MetaMask, so once you’ve done that you can begin to explore the application.

• When you open Metamask you’ll be prompted to enter your password.
  Create a strong password with random upper and lowercase letters and numbers.

• Also when you first install MetaMask, you’ll notice that it is using a “Test Network” this means you are not currently using the Ethereum Network.
  You’ll need to switch to the Ethereum Network in order to make transactions that will register onto the Ethereum Network.

• You will have your first account that you can name whatever you like.
  You can also create multiple accounts, each of which will have their own public and private keys, so keep that in mind if you are going to use MetaMask to take part in an ICO, you’ll need to remember which account you used to invest in order to one day retrieve those tokens.

On your homescreen you’ll see the list of transactions for that account:

• View more details about all activity from this account by clicking on the “i” icon, which will take you to etherscan.com
• Easily copy your public address by clicking on the “copy” icon
• Get the QR code for your public address by clicking on the “QR code” icon.

• The “key” icon is what you’ll use to export your private key.

If you used Metamask to take part in an ICO and you want to access your new tokens, this is the private key that you’ll need to use on myetherwallet.com.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to remember which account you used to transfer your ether into the ICO because that will determine which accounts private key you’ll need to retrieve the tokens.

You can also load up your MetaMask account by sending your ether to the public address.

• MetaMask also gives you the opportunity to purchase ether through Coinbase, or by making a trade right from Shapeshift. You’ll notice that the shapshift options outlines the rate, the maximum and minimum allowed to be traded.

• If you want to send Ether from your metamask account just click the send button and fill out the form.

** This is also the way you send funds for an ICO. **
They provide the address to which you will send your ETH, and sometimes they will also provide “transaction data” if they do, this is where you’ll put that information.

• Once you fill out this form you’ll see a window pop up that prompts you to confirm this transaction.
  If you try to send funds from metamask and you don’t have enough in your wallet to cover the transaction fees, this is when you’ll find out. MetaMask will let you know you have an insufficient balance and you’ll have to adjust the amount you are trying to send.

• If you want to track the progress of the transaction, just click on the transaction on your home screen and it will take you to Etherscan.com where you can see the confirmations.

• Once you’re done you can always lock your account.

I’ve used metamask to take part in ICOs and I’ve also used it to make trades on the decentralized exchange etherdelta, and just out of paranoid precaution, I only store the amount of ether that I want to use to invest or trade, I don’t use metamask as a storage option, I use is more as a medium for investing or trading.

I've been pretty curious lately about decentralized exchanges.

I've taken a peek into Waves Dex, and I've dabbled a bit with Etherdelta, but I have yet to really dive into perhaps the best known decentralized exchange that is BitShares Open Ledger.

So if that is something you've been wanting to learn about, don't miss my next video!

Additional Reading/Sources:

Cryptocompare Walks Through Installation
Metamask on Firefox
List of Medium Articles Focusing on Metamask and Its Applications
Contact the Help Line for MetaMask