How to avoid getting scammed by fake "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" websites

What is a fake "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" website?

While investigating suspicious social media posts, our research team discovered this "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" scam. Upon further inspection, we found this scheme promoted on three domains – distribution-ord[.]com, get-ord[.]com, and quests-ord[.]io (note that it could be hosted elsewhere). These fake webpages operate as cryptocurrency drainers and pilfer funds from "connected" digital wallets.

It must be mentioned that drainer scams are often perfect visual imitations of legitimate platforms. However, that does not mean that these "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" sites or other schemes of this ilk are associated with any existing platforms or entities.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not review crypto projects, please do your own research when investing money.

Federal Trade Comission (FTC) states that since the start of 2021, more than 46,000 people have reported losing over $1 billion in crypto to scams – that's about one out of every four dollars reported lost, more than any other payment method.

Fake "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" website overview

This scam is presented as a cryptocurrency project. Our researchers discovered three pages hosting it (distribution-ord[.]com, get-ord[.]com, quests-ord[.]io), but the scheme could be promoted on other domains as well.

Despite the scam's legitimate appearance, it is not associated with any existing platforms. It is common for schemes of this kind to be nigh identical imitations of genuine sites; therefore, be vigilant when browsing and investing money.

After a cryptowallet is "connected" to a "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" scam page, it executes scripts for a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. Essentially, funds are transferred out of victims' wallets in automated transactions. This activity may appear innocuous or vague, thus not raising immediate suspicion. Drainers may be capable of roughly estimating the value of digital assets and targeting them first.

Victims of such schemes can lose all or more of the funds stored in the exposed wallets. Furthermore, because of the practically untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed.

Threat Summary:

Name	"ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" crypto drainer scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	Cryptocurrency platform
Related Domains	distribution-ord[.]com, get-ord[.]com, quests-ord[.]io
VirusTotal Detections and Serving IP Addresses	distribution-ord[.]com (104.21.51.187), get-ord[.]com (172.67.161.126), quests-ord[.]io (104.21.13.236)
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

We have inspected thousands of online scams; "fake GALA", "$MAGE PRESALE REGISTRATION", and "$BCB Airdrop Event" are merely a few examples of ones that drain cryptocurrency.

The Internet is full of deceptive and malicious content. Scams can vary greatly in appearance and modus operandi. The basic description is that this content uses various lures to deceive victims into performing specific actions, with the end goal being profit.

How did I open a scam website?

The "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" scam pages were observed being endorsed via posts on the X (more commonly known by its former name – Twitter) social media platform. An impression of legitimacy is often created using hacked accounts (i.e., originally belonging to reputable projects, companies, organizations, celebrities, etc.) to post and message about this content.

However, other endorsement techniques are not unlikely. In general, online scams are promoted through spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, DMs/PMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), sites using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting (misspelled URLs), malvertising (intrusive ads), and adware.

It is noteworthy that cryptocurrency drainer scams have been pushed via intrusive pop-up adverts. Some even included operational draining mechanisms, wherein they enticed users into "linking" digital wallets by promising various boons. What is more, these pop-ups have been encountered on legitimate websites that had been compromised.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly advise caution while browsing, as fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears genuine and harmless. Therefore, pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Do not allow suspicious pages to deliver browser notifications, and instead – ignore or deny these requests (i.e., by clicking "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

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

Download only from official/trustworthy channels and approach installations with (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous software from infiltrating the system.

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 "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" scam (GIF):

Screenshot of "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" scam promoted by a post on X (formerly Twitter):

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 "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" 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?

Basically, online scams are deceptive messages hosted on the Internet; the purpose is to lure users into carrying out certain actions. For example, victims may be enticed/scared into connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, providing vulnerable information, sending money to scammers, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, allowing cyber criminals to access devices remotely, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content, abusing/selling private data, and spreading malware.

I have lost cryptocurrency to the "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed due to their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" cannot retrieve their assets.

Why do I encounter online scams?

"ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" scam webpages have been observed being promoted via social media spam posts on X (formally Twitter). However, other techniques may be used to endorse this scheme. Generally, online scams are pushed through sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media posts, PMs/DMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), intrusive ads (malvertising), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all kinds of threats. It is capable of scanning visited websites for rogue, deceptive, and malicious content. Hence, should you stumble upon such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be restricted.

▼ Show Discussion