Avoid getting scammed by fake "AVIATOR AIRDROP" websites

What kind of scam is "AVIATOR AIRDROP"?

After inspecting the "AVIATOR AIRDROP", we determined that it is a scam. This AVI token giveaway is supposedly run on the official AVIATOR platform (aviator.ac). When users attempt to participate in this airdrop, they are asked to connect their digital wallets. Once "connected", the scam begins operating as a cryptocurrency drainer.

"AVIATOR AIRDROP" scam overview

The "AVIATOR AIRDROP" scam impersonates the AVIATOR platform. The mimicry is close to being identical, with the scheme borrowing many graphical elements of the real AVIATOR website. The scam promotes an airdrop for the AVI (Aviator) tokens.

It must be emphasized that this giveaway event is fake, and it is not associated with the AVIATOR platform or any other legitimate entities.

When an attempt to participate in the airdrop is made, the page prompts to "connect" a digital wallet. This triggers a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. In other words, the scam begins automatically transferring funds from victims' cryptowallets to ones owned by cyber criminals.

Drainers may be capable of approximating the value of digital assets and targeting them first. These transactions may appear vague – thus not raising immediate suspicion.

Victims risk losing all or most of the funds stored in compromised wallets. It is pertinent to mention that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of scams like "AVIATOR AIRDROP" cannot recover their assets.

Threat Summary:

Name	"AVIATOR AIRDROP" crypto drainer scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Disguise	AVI token airdrop on the AVIATOR platform
Related Domains	aviator-arcade[.]org
Detection Names (aviator-arcade[.]org)	N/A (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. ▼ 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

"ChainGPT DAPP", "Join BlockDAG Network", and "Claim Ethena" are merely a couple of our latest articles on crypto drainers. Deception is used to trick users into performing specific actions, e.g., false claims regarding airdrops, new token/coin releases, security updates, suspicious activity on digital wallets, etc.

Online scams can vary in appearance and utilized mechanisms. Yet regardless of what this content promises or warns against, the end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense.

How did I open a scam website?

Cryptocurrency drainers are commonly endorsed via malvertising. Some of the intrusive adverts include functional draining scripts; they entice users into "connecting" cryptowallets by promising various benefits. These pop-ups can even be encountered on legitimate sites that have been compromised.

Another prevalent promotional technique is social media spam. Posts and PMs/DMs that push these scams can be made using accounts stolen from companies, organizations, influencers, etc.

However, other endorsement methods are not unlikely. In general, online scams are promoted through malvertising, spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We highly recommend exercising caution while browsing. Pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Be selective about which webpages are allowed to display browser notifications. Do not permit suspect pages to deliver these ads; instead, ignore or deny these requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant mail. Do not use websites offering pirated software/media or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.

To prevent bundled/malicious content from infiltrating the device – download from official/trustworthy sources and treat installations with care (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 "AVIATOR AIRDROP" scam (GIF):

Screenshot of the official AVIATOR website (aviator.ac):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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.

Quick menu:

• What is "AVIATOR AIRDROP" 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 scam" refers to content hosted on the Web that is intended to deceive users into performing specific actions. To elaborate, victims can be enticed into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, disclosing vulnerable information, making monetary transactions, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, calling fake helplines, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

The purpose of online scams is to generate revenue for scammers. Profit may be made by acquiring 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 "AVIATOR AIRDROP" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are mainly promoted via attachments/links in spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, browser notifications, DMs/PMs, social media posts, etc.) and redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs (typosquatting), 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 sites for deceptive/malicious content. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be restricted.

▼ Show Discussion