Avoid getting scammed by fake decentralized protocol platforms

What kind of scam is "Decentralized Protocol"?

This decentralized protocol platform is fake. It supposedly syncs various cryptowallet issues. When victims "connect" their digital wallets to this scam, it begins operating as a cryptocurrency drainer. Hence, through this scam – all the funds stored in an exposed wallet can get stolen.

"Decentralized Protocol" scam overview

As previously mentioned, this scam is disguised as a "decentralized protocol" platform for syncing a variety of digital wallet issues through a secure server.

The site claims to solve problems relating to migration, claiming, swapping, slippage, dApp connecting, transactions, airdrops, exchanging, cross-transferring, staking, logging-in, whitelisting, buying coins/tokens, wallet locking, NFT minting/transferring, glitching, DeFi farming, and validation.

It must be emphasized that this fake platform has none of these capabilities, nor is it associated with any legitimate entities.

After users link their digital wallets to this scam, scripts are executed that perform automated outgoing transfers. These transactions can look vague on the victims' end, thus not raising immediate suspicion. Drainers may be able to approximate the value of digital assets and target them first.

Victims of such scams can lose all or most of the assets stored in compromised cryptowallets. The scope of the financial loss depends on the value of the stolen funds. It is noteworthy that these transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Decentralized Protocol" crypto drainer scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Users can sync various cryptowallet issues through a secure server.
Disguise	Decentralized protocol platform
Related Domains	fastwalletauthdapp[.]com
Detection Names	Emsisoft (Phishing), Trustwave (Phishing), Fortinet (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	172.67.154.36
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

"Connect Collab Land", "Nibiru Chain Engagement Airdrop", and "Telegram Giveaway TON" are merely a couple examples of crypto drainers we have written about recently.

Aside from such schemes, other common cryptocurrency-centered scams target wallet log-in credentials or trick users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.

The Internet is full of deceptive and malicious content. While online scams differ in appearance and mode of operation, their end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense.

How did I open a scam website?

Cryptocurrency drainers are often promoted via malvertising (malicious advertising). Some intrusive ads include functional draining mechanisms. It is pertinent to mention that these pop-ups have been observed on legitimate websites that had been compromised.

Additionally, crypto-specific scams are prevalent on social media platforms. Spam posts and direct/private messages that endorse this content may be made using accounts stolen from companies, organizations, celebrities, etc.

Generally, online scams are most commonly promoted through spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, DMs/PMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), malvertising, sites using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly recommend caution while browsing since fake and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive adverts and spam browser notifications may look innocuous – yet redirect users to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

Therefore, be selective about which pages you allow to display browser notifications. Do not permit suspect ones to do so, and instead ignore or deny these requests (i.e., select "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Additionally, pay attention to URLs and type them carefully.

We advise against using sites that offer pirated software/media or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.

Be vigilant with incoming emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, and other messages. Do not open attachments or links present in suspicious/irrelevant mail, as they can be harmful/infectious.

Furthermore, download only from official/verified sources and treat installations with care (e.g., read terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous content from infiltrating the device.

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 "Decentralized Protocol" scam (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is "Decentralized Protocol" 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?

Essentially, online scams are deceptive messages intended to push users into performing specific actions. Victims may be lured/scared into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, sending money to scammers, disclosing sensitive data, buying products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, calling fake helplines, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling private information, and spreading malware.

I have lost cryptocurrency to the "Decentralized Protocol" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature; this means that victims of scams like "Decentralized Protocol" cannot recover their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most widely promoted via sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), malicious advertising (intrusive ads), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can detect when you enter a website hosting deceptive/malicious content; in which case, you will be immediately warned. Additionally, Combo Cleaner can block all further access to such webpages.

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