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What to Do If Your MetaMask Wallet or Browser Extension May Be Compromised

Stop interacting with suspicious pages, move remaining assets from a trusted environment, and distinguish an exposed recovery phrase from a private key, token approval, or compromised device.
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If your MetaMask Secret Recovery Phrase or a private key may be exposed, stop using the affected wallet and move any assets that remain to a newly created wallet from a trusted device or clean browser profile. If the browser or computer itself may be compromised, do not enter new recovery credentials on it until you have addressed that risk. Never give your Secret Recovery Phrase to a website, support agent, or recovery service.

Act first: contain the risk and protect what remains

  1. Stop interacting with suspicious pages, pop-ups, messages, and extension prompts. Do not enter or send your Secret Recovery Phrase (SRP) or a private key. MetaMask says it will never ask for your SRP.
  2. Choose a trusted environment. If you suspect the browser or device is compromised, use another trusted device or a clean browser profile to create a wallet. If a Google or Apple account connected to MetaMask may also be compromised, MetaMask cautions against connecting that same account to the new wallet.
  3. Create a new wallet and safeguard its SRP. Anyone with the phrase can control all accounts derived from it, so keep it private and store a secure backup offline.
  4. Move remaining assets if it is safe to do so. Send funds from affected accounts to the new wallet. If you suspect a sweeper script is automatically taking incoming funds, MetaMask warns not to add funds for gas; it may be unsafe to try a transfer without specialized help.
  5. Stop using compromised accounts. After moving what you can, retire the old wallet and all accounts associated with an exposed SRP. Changing MetaMask’s local password or resetting the extension does not make a disclosed phrase safe again.

If a transaction has already sent assets away, preserve its transaction hash and report the incident. MetaMask says it cannot reverse completed transactions or restore missing funds.

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Work out what may be compromised

The right response depends on whether someone obtained the master recovery phrase, one account’s private key, a token allowance, or access to the browser or device. These are not interchangeable risks:

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Possible problem What may be exposed Response and recovery implications
Secret Recovery Phrase disclosed All accounts derived from that SRP. Migrate remaining assets to a newly created wallet from a trusted environment, then retire the affected accounts. The phrase cannot be changed to secure those accounts again; transactions already completed cannot be reversed by MetaMask.
One private key disclosed The individual account controlled by that key. The SRP is broader and controls accounts derived from it. Treat that account as compromised. If the SRP was not exposed, do not assume unrelated accounts are necessarily exposed; investigate how the key leaked and whether device compromise could have exposed other credentials.
Suspicious token approval A smart contract may have permission to spend particular tokens under the allowance’s terms. Review and revoke the specific allowance from a trusted device if appropriate. Revocation is an on-chain transaction that costs gas; it does not recover tokens already transferred. Disconnecting a dapp is not the same as revoking an allowance.
Fake extension or phishing page The page or extension may have captured credentials or prompted unsafe transactions; the precise exposure depends on what you entered or approved. Stop using the page or remove the suspicious extension. Reinstall only from MetaMask’s official download route, metamask.io/download, or an official browser extension store—and only after considering whether the device itself is trustworthy.
Possible malware or device compromise Information entered or stored on that device may be at risk; the extent cannot be determined from the warning alone. Do not type a fresh SRP on the suspect device. Clean and assess it using the browser and operating-system vendor’s guidance before using it for wallet credentials.
Unauthorized completed transaction Assets included in the transaction may already have left the account. Save the transaction hash and report the incident. MetaMask says it cannot intervene to rescue funds or reverse the transaction.

Clean up a potentially compromised browser or device

If you suspect the browser or computer—not just a wallet credential—address that risk before using it to create or access a wallet. Google’s malware guidance recommends removing untrusted Chrome extensions, resetting browser settings, updating the operating system, and checking account security. If signs of malware persist, seek help from the device vendor. A scan or cleanup can reduce risk, but it cannot undo a blockchain transaction or guarantee that a device is clean.

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When the concern is a fake MetaMask extension, verify the installation source before reinstalling. MetaMask directs users to its official download route or an official browser extension store. Do not rely on search ads, unsolicited messages, or a support contact supplied by a suspicious page.

Report the incident without exposing more information

Report the scam through the relevant authorities and MetaMask’s official support route. Share relevant public transaction details when requested, but never provide your SRP or private key. MetaMask says it has no support phone number; treat calls or social accounts claiming to be MetaMask support as suspicious. No support agent or purported recovery service can make a completed transaction reversible.

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Reduce the chance of a repeat incident

For future custody, MetaMask says people holding high-value assets can consider a hardware wallet, which stores private keys offline. Moving to one does not cure an already exposed SRP: handle the compromised accounts and remaining assets first. Keep recovery credentials private regardless of the wallet device you choose.

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