A hardware wallet is a physical crypto wallet device. It stores private keys inside the device and signs transactions without handing those keys directly to the computer or phone being used.
How it helps
If a computer is infected or a browser extension is unsafe, a hardware wallet can still reduce the chance that the private key itself is stolen. The user usually confirms transaction details on the device screen before signing.
What still matters
The seed phrase remains critical. Anyone who gets the seed phrase can often recover the wallet elsewhere, even without the device. Buying from trusted sources and checking addresses before approval are also important.
A hardware wallet is one form of cold wallet, but it still depends on careful human handling.