MetaMask for Firefox

After the spectacular rise of Bitcoin, many other cryptocurrencies have started to gain value, the most popular of which being Ether, which is accrued by validating network transactions in the Ethereum blockchain.

For users interested in accessing or building decentralized applications on the Ethereum platform, a browser extension like MetaMask can be incredibly helpful. Also available for Chrome, Opera and Edge users, this Firefox extension makes it possible to access Ethereum-enabled distributed applications (Dapps) directly from your browser, as well as manage your identities and sign transactions.

On first launch, you will be prompted to either create a new vault or recover an existing one using a walled seed. The extension offers the basic functionality of wallet applications, allowing you to buy or transfer tokens.

MetaMask’s standout feature, however, is the fact that it enables your browser to visited Ethereum-enabled websites and run Dapps in Firefox without running a full Ethereum node.

When a distributed application attempts to write to the blockchain, you will be asked to confirm or reject the action directly from the extension’s secure interface.

You have the option of switching between various Ethereum networks, and it is also possible to direct the extension to your own RPC server.

On the whole, MetaMask is an excellent addition to Firefox if you are looking for an easier way to access Ethereum-enabled Dapps, manage your identities and perform transactions. It comes with an intuitive user interface and can be found in the Firefox toolbar whenever you need to take advantage of its features.

Your personal information is kept secure at all times, as the account vault is encrypted and only stored locally. Using your secret phrase, however, you can restore your account even from other browsers.