Avoid getting scammed by fake Skyborne Genesis $SKY distributions
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of scam is "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution"?
Upon inspection of this "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" site, we determined that it is a scam. This fake website closely mimics the graphics and URL of the genuine Skyborne Genesis site (note other domains are not unlikely). This scheme operates as a crypto drainer – resulting in the theft of funds stored in victims' digital wallets.
"Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" scam overview
The fraudulent "Skyborne Genesis" webpage that we investigated appears practically identical to the legitimate platform of the same name. The former's URL is close to that of the original as well. Hence, users could access the fake page by misspelling the real website's address.
The scam is classed as a cryptocurrency drainer. Therefore, once a cryptowallet is connected to the scheme, automatic outgoing transactions are initiated. This results in the emptying of funds – cryptocurrency and other digital assets.
Victims of this scam experience financial loss, which can be incredibly significant. Additionally, due to the untraceable nature of these transactions – victims are incapable of reversing them and retrieving their funds.
Name | "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" scam website |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Disguise | Skyborne Genesis |
Related Domains | skyborneslegacy[.]com |
Detection Names (skyborneslegacy[.]com) | Emsisoft (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (skyborneslegacy[.]com) | 104.21.41.230 |
Distribution methods | Spam social media posts, compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
Damage | Monetary loss |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Similar scam examples
We have analyzed dozens of cryptocurrency drainers; "SingularityNET - AGIX", "PonDX", and "SLEEPLESS AI Airdrop" are merely a couple examples of our latest finds.
Some other schemes targeting digital currencies seek to acquire wallet credentials or trick users into making transactions to ones possessed by criminals. However, there are countless scam types online. While how they operate may differ, the end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense.
How did I open a scam website?
"Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" has been noted being endorsed by posts made on the X (formerly known as Twitter) social media platform. Typically, the posts are made by accounts stolen from real companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc. – as that creates an impression of legitimacy, which is likely to lure more victims.
The fake "Skyborne Genesis" website's URL is close to that of the genuine site, which could be a typosquatting technique that relies on users misspelling domains. It is pertinent to mention that other promotional methods are possible.
Spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.) is used in scam endorsement. Additionally, deceptive webpages can be accessed via redirects generated by mistyped URLs, sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, and installed adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
We strongly recommend being careful while browsing, as fake and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and harmless. To elaborate some on this, intrusive adverts and spam browser notifications may look innocuous yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.).
Another recommendation is to pay attention to URLs and enter them with care. We advise against visiting sites that offer pirated software/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming and downloading, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized through rogue advertising networks.
Furthermore, should you access a suspicious page – do not permit it to deliver browser notifications (i.e., do not press "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification delivery requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
To prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the system – download from official/verified sources and treat installations with caution (e.g., read terms, study possible options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of additional apps, extensions, etc.).
If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.
The appearance of "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" scam (GIF):
Screenshots of a post promoting the "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" scam on X (formerly Twitter):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" scam website?
- How to identify a pop-up scam?
- How do pop-up scams work?
- How to remove fake pop-ups?
- How to prevent fake pop-ups?
- What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
How to identify a pop-up scam?
Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.
While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.
Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:
- Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
- Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
- Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
- Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
- Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.
Example of a pop-up scam:
How do pop-up scams work?
Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.
Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.
How to remove fake pop-ups?
In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.
In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.
How to prevent fake pop-ups?
To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.
To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.
- If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
- If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
- If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
- Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an online scam?
Online scams are deceptive messages intended to trick users into connecting their wallets to crypto drainers, making monetary transactions, disclosing vulnerable information, purchasing products, subscribing to services, calling fake helplines, or performing other actions.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams, much like other types, are used to generate revenue. Cyber criminals profit primarily by obtaining funds through deception, selling or abusing private data, promoting content, and distributing malware.
I have lost digital currency to the "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" scam, can I get my money back?
Due to the untraceable nature of digital currency transactions, they are virtually irreversible.
Why do I encounter online scams?
"Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" has been observed being endorsed by posts on the X (formerly Twitter) platform. The accounts associated with said posts were likely stolen. Other commonly used promotional techniques include spam (e.g., forum posts, browser notifications, emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, etc.), intrusive adverts, websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner can scan visited sites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious ones. Hence, when such a website is entered – immediate warnings are issued, and further access to it is denied.
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