Avoid getting scammed by fake OpenSea sign-in webpages
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of scam is "Connect To OpenSea"?
"Connect To OpenSea" is a crypto drainer scam. It is presented as the sign-in page for OpenSea – an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) marketplace. When a user attempts to access their account by connecting their cryptowallets to the fake platform, they trigger a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. It must be stressed that this fraudulent webpage is in no way associated with OpenSea.
"Connect To OpenSea" scam overview
This scam is disguised as the sign-in page of OpenSea. Hence, when users try to log into their accounts on this NFT marketplace, they are prompted to link their digital wallets and gain access. Once "connected", the fake platform executes a drainer mechanism. Some can approximate the value of digital assets stored in exposed wallets and target them first.
Drainers carry out automated transactions from victims' cryptowallets to ones owned by cyber criminals. Victims of cryptocurrency-draining schemes can lose all or most of the funds in their wallets. What is more, these transactions cannot be reversed due to their nearly untraceable nature.
It must be emphasized that this fake sign-in page is not associated with OpenSea or any other legitimate entities.
Name | "Connect To OpenSea" crypto drainer scam |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Disguise | OpenSea sign-in page |
Related Domains | tickets-opensea[.]io |
Detection Names (tickets-opensea[.]io) | Antiy-AVL (Malicious), Combo Cleaner (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), G-Data (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Distribution methods | Compromised websites, social media spam, 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. |
Cryptocurrency drainer examples
We have investigated numerous online scams; "$WUF Airdrop", "Clearpool ($CPOOL) Airdrop", and "Shiba Inu Tokens scam" are just a couple examples of crypto drainers.
Cryptocurrency-specific schemes primarily work in one of three ways: draining funds from digital wallets, phishing for cryptowallet log-in credentials, or deceiving victims into transferring cryptocurrency for some promised boon.
There are countless types of scams on the Web. Due to how widespread deceptive/malicious content is on the Internet and how well-crafted it can be – we highly recommend vigilance when browsing.
How did I open a scam website?
Generally, the most common promotional methods of online scams include: spam (e.g., social media/ forum spam, DMs/PMs, browser notifications, emails, SMSes, etc.), malvertising, mistyped URLs (typosquatting), websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, and adware.
To elaborate on some of these techniques, social media spam is prevalent in crypto-centered scams. Posts and PMs/DMs endorsing this content can even be made using accounts stolen from public figures or genuine entities (e.g., celebrities, influencers, companies, organizations, etc.), thus creating an impression of legitimacy.
Additionally, crypto drainers were observed being promoted through intrusive ads (malvertising). Some of the pop-ups include cryptocurrency-draining mechanisms. The advertisements were even hosted on legitimate sites that have been compromised.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Fake and dangerous online content can appear legitimate and innocuous. For example, spam browser notifications and intrusive adverts may look ordinary and harmless – yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
Therefore, we strongly recommend caution. It is important to take note of URLs and be attentive when typing them. It is necessary to be selective about which pages are allowed to display browser notifications. Suspicious ones cannot be permitted; instead, these requests must be ignored or denied (i.e., by clicking "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
Additionally, incoming emails and other messages have to be treated with care. Attachments and links found in dubious mail must not be opened, as they can be deceptive or virulent.
We advise against using sites that offer pirated programs/media or other suspect services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.
To avoid bundled/hazardous software from infiltrating the system – download only from official/verified sources and be vigilant when installing (e.g., read terms, explore 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 "Connect To OpenSea" scam (GIF):
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Quick menu:
- What is "Connect To OpenSea" crypto drainer scam?
- 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 broadly refer to deceptive/fraudulent content hosted on the Web. The purpose is to lure victims into performing specific actions, e.g., linking cryptowallets to cryptocurrency drainers, making monetary transactions, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, disclosing private information, etc.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. To elaborate, cyber criminals may profit by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing sensitive data, and proliferating malware.
I have lost cryptocurrency to the "Connect To OpenSea" scam, can I get my money back?
No, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are primarily endorsed via mistyped URLs (typosquatting), websites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, browser notifications, PMs/DMs, social media/ forum posts, etc.), intrusive adverts (malvertising), and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all manner of threats. It is capable of scanning visited websites and detecting rogue, deceptive/scam, and malicious pages. Therefore, if you access such a site – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be restricted.
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