MetaMask Version 8 Update: Enhanced Interface, Multi-Account Switching, and Improved User Privacy Levels

The Ethereum web plugin wallet MetaMask announced its eighth version update on July 2nd in an official announcement. In addition to enhancing user control over privacy, the update reduces friction for new users interacting with DApps and improves overall wallet security through a new security system called "LavaMoat."

Enhancing Privacy with Multi-Account Switching

Currently, most MetaMask wallet users tend to use a single account (address) to interact with all DApps and DeFi projects. Due to the fact that wallet assets can be publicly queried through a blockchain browser, user privacy is compromised.

The new feature from MetaMask allows users to choose to interact with projects using a single or multiple accounts, and switch between multiple accounts, selectively assigning interactions with specific addresses to specific projects.

This new feature is an ongoing update from the proposal made by MetaMask in August last year, known as EIP-2255 permission system. This means users can choose any account when logging into DeFi projects, maintain the login status of that account, and allow users to simultaneously use different accounts to log into different projects. This also means that DApps and DeFi can only access accounts that users have granted permission to, and cannot access the account the user is currently using.

Wallet Interface Optimization

Recognizing that cryptocurrency wallets generally have usability barriers for newcomers and relatively poor user experiences, MetaMask is committed to addressing this issue. Now, when new users open "MetaMask version 8" for the first time, the wallet will provide prompts for new features such as multi-account login.

In addition, this includes slight optimizations to the user asset interface, redesigning the home page, asset page, and transaction history for easier asset viewing.

Added "Activity" category, redesigned transaction record display page, clicking on "Activity" allows users to view different transaction categories such as asset transfers, receipts, and interactions with smart contracts, and more.

Introducing the Security System "LavaMoat"

In addition to the above updates, MetaMask has enhanced application security through the newly developed tool called LavaMoat, aiming to prevent JavaScript projects from attempting to steal user private keys. Currently, MetaMask is using this tool to protect its test network.

In fact, in March of last year, MetaMask faced an issue where its default settings would broadcast users' Ethereum addresses to all previously visited websites. This update clearly aims to provide users with a higher level of privacy.