How to identify scams like DappRadar Airdrops scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "DappRadar Airdrops" scam?
After examining the site (dappradar-airdrops[.]io), we determined that it impersonates the legitimate DappRadar website (dappradar[.]com). Our assessment confirms that it is a scam website crafted to deceive visitors into participating in a fraudulent cryptocurrency giveaway. The primary objective of the scammers is to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users.
"DappRadar Airdrops" scam in detail
The DappRadar Airdrops scam operates under the guise of offering cryptocurrency airdrops to visitors. It prompts users to connect and verify their wallets to determine eligibility for these purported airdrops. The scam entices users with the promise of receiving significant amounts of cryptocurrency, such as $400 worth of Chainlink (LINK) or $1000 worth of Aave (AAVE), with a limited-time offer.
However, upon closer inspection, it is evident that this is a fraudulent scheme aimed at deceiving users into participating in a fake giveaway. The ultimate goal of the scammers behind the website is to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting individuals who fall victim to their ploy.
This scam entices users to "connect" their wallets under false pretenses. Once they do so, a malicious contract is activated, triggering a cryptocurrency drainer. As the drainer operates, it transfers the victims' cryptocurrency to the scammer's wallet, resulting in cryptocurrency losses.
Given the nature of cryptocurrency transactions, once a transfer is completed and recorded on the blockchain, reversing it becomes extremely challenging (or even impossible). Therefore, victims of such scams often encounter hurdles in retrieving their lost funds.
Name | Fake DappRadar Airdrops |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Fake Claim | Participants can receive free cryptocurrency |
Disguise | Legitimate airdrops offered by DappRadar (official site: dappradar[.]com) |
Related Domains | dappradar-airdrops[.]io, base-dappradar[.]com, dappradar[.]haus, yurthewcfgnttm.pages[.]dev, clappradar[.]net |
Detection Names (dappradar-airdrops[.]io) | Combo Cleaner (Phishing), Emsisoft (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Netcraft (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Symptoms | Misspelled domain, lack of official verification, unrealistic claims, too good-to-be-true promises. |
Distribution methods | Compromised social media accounts, hijacked WordPress sites, rogue online pop-up ads, phishing emails, unwanted applications. |
Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the described scam underscores the importance of vigilance and skepticism in the realm of cryptocurrency. This scam serves as a stark reminder for individuals to exercise caution, verify the legitimacy of platforms and offers, and remain informed about potential threats in the cryptocurrency space to safeguard their assets and financial well-being.
Examples of similar scams are "BITCOIN BSC Scam", "Mode Sunrise Airdrop Scam", and "$PAPE Pre-Sale Scam".
How did I open a scam website?
Scammers utilize various strategies to spread their fraudulent schemes, often by hijacking verified social media profiles belonging to celebrities, public figures, or businesses. They use hijacked accounts to write posts containing links leading to scam websites.
In addition, users may come across scam pages through deceptive advertisements, pop-ups, and notifications from untrustworthy sites, as well as compromised (hijacked) websites, particularly those built on WordPress platforms. Moreover, scammers frequently create websites with domains resembling legitimate ones to deceive users.
In other cases, users may inadvertently land on scams while browsing websites that employ rogue advertising networks, such as torrent sites or illicit movie streaming pages.
How to avoid visiting scam pages?
Avoid visiting torrent sites, illegal movie streaming pages, and similar platforms and interacting with ads, pop-ups, buttons, and similar elements on shady websites. Never agree to receive notifications from sites of this kind. Download software (and files) from reliable sources, such as official web pages and app stores.
Do not trust unexpected emails from unknown senders, especially when they contain attachments or links. Check websites' URLs to ensure they are legitimate before providing any personal information, making transactions, or taking other actions. Remove any unwanted apps from your computer.
If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of "DappRadar Airdrops" scam (GIF):
Screenshot of the official DappRadar site (dappradar[.]com):
Another example of DappRadar Airdrop drainer website (base-dappradar[.]com):
Example of a fake medium.com website (medLum[.]com) promoting DappRadar Airdop scam website (clappradar[.]net):
Screenshot of a X (Twitter) post promoting DappRadar Airdop scam website (clappradar[.]net):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Fake DappRadar Airdrops?
- 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 a crypto scam?
A cryptocurrency scam refers to fraudulent schemes designed to deceive individuals into investing in or transferring cryptocurrency or entering sensitive information. Once victims fall prey to these scams, they may experience financial loss, theft of personal information, or unauthorized access to their cryptocurrency wallets.
Is it possible to retrieve lost crypto funds?
Recovering lost cryptocurrency funds is often extremely difficult and, in certain cases, may even be impossible. This challenge arises due to the decentralized and pseudonymous characteristics of cryptocurrencies, making it hard to trace and retrieve transferred funds.
Why do I encounter crypto scams?
Scammers spread their scams through various channels, such as phishing emails, compromised social media profiles, misleading ads, and pop-ups on unreliable websites. They also hijack legitimate websites and promote their scams through those linked to rogue advertising networks, such as torrent sites or illegal movie streaming pages.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?
Combo Cleaner can assess websites and effectively identify scam pages. Upon detection, users are promptly alerted, and access restrictions are immediately activated.
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