How to start using Steemit? The SIX most asked questions! (1/6)

If you are aware on how to create a Steemit account, go ahead. Otherwise, if you are reading a steemit post for the first time, check my post here (on how to create a steemit account and your first post) and then come back once you wish to know more!

What is Steemit (google knows)?

Lately, I have been seeing some confusions and questions from people that get to know Steemit for the first time... Many of these are something like:

1. What levels of security exist on Steemit and how they work?
2. Is there an app to access Steemit on my phone and how to start using it?
3. Can I use my phone's web browser to access Steemit? is it secure?
4. Is there a Steemit Wallet for my PC? HowTO and FAQ?
5. Someone stole my phone (or is using my account), how can I gain control again?
6. How do I recover my account and what/how to backup?

Well, the answer to the above questions is quite easy and straightforward (you will see). Steemit is developed from another blockchain platform (called BitShares) developed and tested through the open community for more than 4 years! That should give you some level of secured proof (it's not hidden if you want to check) about the system.

I was lucky enough to be apart of it since it's very beginning... I am member #194! If you wish you can also become an Investor of BitShares from this link.

Steemit blockchain and platform tools, like this website front-end (you are using to read this post) are all available on GitHub if you wish to check them out!

So, let's get down to business...

1. What levels of security exist on Steemit and how they work?

Steemit implements BitShares blockchain principles, therefore allowing you (by design) to have at your disposal, different levels of access to your account. In sum, you don't need to allow everything on everywhere to interact with Steemit. It all depends on what actions you really need to execute, and it's so easy to use them! You have 4 keys with different types of permissions, for specific levels of security and functionalities:

• POSTING - The posting key is used for posting, voting, comment and follow. It should be different from the active and owner keys (don't worry, they will be automaticaly generated for you).
• ACTIVE - The active key is used to make transfers and place orders in the internal market.
• OWNER - The owner key is the master key for the account and is required to change the other keys. The private key or password for the owner key should be kept offline as much as possible (this is the password you use to access steemit.com).
• MEMO - The memo key is used to create and read memos.

With the ACTIVE key you can additionally do the same as the POSTING key, and with the OWNER additionally the same as the ACTIVE+POSTING keys. The MEMO key is used independently to decrypt memo messages sent to you.

If you wish, you can check this amazing post from @pfunk with some further detailed descriptions.

So from this on, you can grant any steemit client (like an app for example), the level of security you desire. If you only wish to Post, Vote, Comment, and Follow, the POSTING key will just do that for you, and even if someone steals your device (where the client app is running), that's all they will be able to do.

Stay tuned, Vote and Resteem if you wish to show others what you have learned.

Let me know if you have queries bellow...

On another note... Want to have a voice? Check POWERVoice initiative!
There is a new episode coming this weekend :-)