When I downloaded the Metamask Chrome extension it asked me for my seed phrase. Since I'd never downloaded it on my computer before, I figured it was legitimate and that it was trying to authenticate my account. I really think this is where I messed up.
OMG... if you give the seed to any legitimate-looking request, what you think is the use of the hardware wallet, really?!
OK, so since your wallet is now empty, please start with resetting the wallet to a completely new seed, write that down for backup and
ever use it again only when your hardware wallet will ever stop working.
Keep the new seed safe (offline!) and remove the old seed from all the places you've stored it (so you don't get confused in 5 years which one was the correct seed).
And from now on, anything you want to do with crypto, do through the hardware wallet. If Metamask cannot handle the hardware wallet, use MEW with the hardware wallet.
And, sorry if it sounds harsh, but learn to ask here when you are not sure
before doing something stupid, not after doing that.
My apologies, I didn't know that multiple posts were not allowed. I was simply trying to respond to some of the users that commented.
You can answer to one post, press enter twice for some spacing, scroll down, insert the next quote and answer to the next user.
The problem is not the number of answers, it's the fact they're spread into many consecutive posts.
NeuroticFish, if you would take the time to read the previous comments, it is stated that a hardware wallet could not be used with the sites I was on and the processes I was doing. For example, to set up/purchase STRONGBLOCK NODES, you MUST use a Metamask Wallet. This is why the MM wallet was introduced into the process of me purchasing nodes and as well as attempting to stake coins on Wonderland. I have a hard wallet and use it, but it was irrelevant in this situation. Some processes cannot be done through a hard wallet such as purchasing/maintaining nodes, staking on Wonderland and other DAOs, etc. The seed phrase for the Metamask wallet was stored offline. I entered it because I thought that the site was trying to authenticate my wallet since it was my 1st time installing Metamask as a Chrome Extension (which has now been deleted)...
And again, please refrain from your condescending comments to me and others that make this mistake. The loss of the money is hard enough. If you can't exercise any more self control than that, please don't even comment.