What to do if my MetaMask wallet was compromised?

Immediate Steps to Take After a Compromised MetaMask Wallet

1. Disconnect your device from any phishing websites immediately. If you clicked on a suspicious link or entered your seed phrase on a fraudulent site, cease all activity on the compromised device.

2. Stop using the affected MetaMask wallet. Do not send any more funds to it or interact with decentralized applications until you’ve secured your assets.

3. Check recent transactions through Etherscan or another blockchain explorer. Look for unauthorized transfers, token approvals, or contract interactions linked to your wallet address.

4. Revoke active token and contract permissions. Use tools like Revoke.cash to disconnect your wallet from malicious smart contracts that may still have access to your tokens.

5. Secure your recovery phrase. If you ever shared it with anyone or typed it online, consider it permanently compromised and act accordingly.

Protecting Remaining and Future Assets

1. Create a new MetaMask wallet using a clean device. Ensure the device has no malware and only download MetaMask from the official website or verified browser extension store.

2. Transfer remaining funds to the new wallet. Only move assets you are certain are safe and were not already drained by attackers.

3. Enable two-factor authentication on associated accounts. While MetaMask itself doesn’t support 2FA, securing your email, exchange accounts, and cloud backups adds an extra layer of defense.

4. Store your new recovery phrase offline. Write it on paper or use a hardware solution—never save it digitally or take screenshots.

5. Install trusted security extensions like MetaMask Phishing Detector or ad blockers that flag known scam domains.

Understanding How the Compromise Occurred

1. Review recent online behavior. Did you visit fake airdrop sites, connect your wallet to suspicious dApps, or respond to unsolicited messages claiming to be from MetaMask support?

2. Identify malware risks. Some keyloggers or clipboard hijackers can steal private keys or alter wallet addresses during transactions.

3. Assess social engineering attempts. Scammers often impersonate customer service agents and request your seed phrase under false pretenses.

4. Evaluate browser extension safety. Unauthorized or cloned versions of MetaMask exist and can silently monitor your activity.

5. Monitor public blockchain data. Attackers often reuse addresses or follow predictable patterns when draining wallets, which can help trace actions but rarely recover funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover stolen funds from a compromised MetaMask wallet?Blockchain transactions are irreversible. Once funds are transferred to another address, especially one controlled by an attacker, recovery is nearly impossible without law enforcement intervention or cooperation from centralized services involved in cashing out.

Should I report the incident to MetaMask support?Yes, report the incident through the official MetaMask help center. While they cannot reverse transactions or access your wallet, reporting helps them track phishing campaigns and blacklist malicious contracts.

Is it safe to reuse my old wallet after revoking permissions?No. Even after revoking token approvals, the underlying seed phrase remains compromised. Any continued use puts your assets at risk. Always migrate to a fresh wallet with a new recovery phrase.

How do I verify if a website is legitimate before connecting my wallet?Check the URL carefully for misspellings, look for HTTPS, consult community forums like Reddit or Discord for verification, and avoid clicking links from direct messages or pop-up ads. Bookmark official project websites instead of searching each time.