How to avoid losing cryptocurrency on fake platforms like "Crypdrops Airdrops"

What is the fake "Crypdrops Airdrops" website?

We inspected this site (crypdrops[.]io) and found that it promotes cryptocurrency airdrops (giveaways). However, it is a scam. The page is created by scammers with the intention of stealing cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users. Thus, crypdrops[.]io should not be trusted.

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.

"Crypdrops Airdrops" fake page overview

On the deceptive site, users are offered to discover exclusive cryptocurrency airdrops. The site claims that it finds $8600 on average per person in airdrops and NFTs. In order to participate in these airdrops, users are required to connect their crypto wallets. However, doing so on crypdrops[.]io signs a malicious contract instead.

Signing this contract activates a cryptocurrency drainer - a malicious tool designed to steal the victim's cryptocurrency holdings. This drainer transfers cryptocurrency from the victim's wallet to the one owned by scammers behind crypdrops[.]io. Thus, users should not interact with crypdrops[.]io.

It is important to be aware that once the funds are transferred, it is impossible to retrieve them. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, making cryptocurrency loss experienced due to scams permanent. Therefore, it is important to verify the legitimacy of cryptocurrency airdrops and other platforms before providing sensitive information or transferring digital assets.

Threat Summary:

Name	Fake Crypdrops Airdrops website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	The site claims that it finds $8600 on average per person in airdrops and NFTs.
Disguise	Legitimate platform for finding cryptocurrency airdrops
Related Domain	crypdrops[.]io
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Incorrect 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.
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Conclusion

In conclusion, crypdrops[.]io lures users with promises of exclusive cryptocurrency airdrops, claiming substantial earnings. However, upon connecting their crypto wallets, users unknowingly sign a malicious contract, resulting in the theft of their cryptocurrency holdings. To safeguard against such scams, users should refrain from interacting with crypdrops[.]io or similar suspicious websites.

Examples of similar scams are the fake "Grayscale ($GRAY) Airdrop", "Renzo ($REZ) Token Allocation", and "$SWOT Token Airdrop".

How did I open a scam website?

It is common for deceptive websites like crypdrops[.]io to be disseminated via compromised WordPress pages or social media profiles. Typically, social media accounts used to promote such scams are stolen from celebrities or reputable organizations. Moreover, scams can be promoted through advertisements exhibited by untrustworthy adware.

Furthermore, scammers use misleading notifications from unreliable sites and ads on dubious pages to entice users to visit scam sites. In other cases, users inadvertently come across scam websites via illegal movie streaming pages, torrent sites, and other platforms that use rogue advertising networks.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Do not trust irrelevant emails from unknown addresses, especially if they contain links or files (attachments). Download programs and files from trustworthy sources (official web pages and app stores). Avoid visiting shady pages and clicking ads on them, and do not agree to receive notifications from such sites.

Also, keep the operating system and installed apps up to date, and regularly scan your computer for threats. It is also recommended to use a reputable security tool. 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 the "Crypdrops Airdrops" fake website (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is Fake Crypdrops Airdrops website?
• 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 fake crypto airdrop?

A bogus airdrop is a deceptive scheme that poses as an official and legitimate cryptocurrency giveaway. As a rule, those behind fake crypto airdrops aim to extract sensitive information or cryptocurrency from users.

Is it possible to retrieve lost crypto funds?

Once cryptocurrency has been transferred to scammers or stolen by them, it cannot be recovered due to the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions.

Why do I encounter crypto scams?

Fraudulent airdrops and similar scams are commonly promoted through hijacked social media accounts or WordPress pages and phishing emails containing links or attachments. Additionally, scammers employ misleading advertisements and platforms such as torrent sites that utilize untrustworthy advertising networks to lure users into visiting scam websites.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?

Combo Cleaner inspects websites, detecting unreliable ones, including those hosting scams. When it identifies such a site, the application immediately alerts the user and blocks access to the untrustworthy website.

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