How to avoid falling for the fake "Hyperliquid ($HYPE) Airdrop"
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the fake "Hyperliquid ($HYPE) Airdrop"?
During our examination of the claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz site, we found that this page promotes a cryptocurrency airdrop. However, further analysis revealed that claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz is a fake page masquerading as a legitimate cryptocurrency trading platform (hyperliquid[.]xyz). This deceptive site is designed to steal cryptocurrency from victims.
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 $1 billion in crypto to scams – that's about one out of every four dollars reported lost, more than any other payment method.
Fake "Hyperliquid ($HYPE) Airdrop" in detail
Hyperliquid (hyperliquid[.]xyz) is a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange. It is not the first time scammers have created fake websites like claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz to lure unsuspecting users into providing personal information, transferring cryptocurrency scammers, or taking other actions that benefit fraudsters. Typically, fake pages are very similar to the official ones.
Also, sites claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz promote fake airdrops, offer high investment returns, or use other deceptive methods to lure users. Claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz claims that users can participate in an airdrop (giveaway). It offers participants free $HYPE cryptocurrency. On the site, users are encouraged to "Claim Airdrop" to participate.
Claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz is designed to trick users into "connecting" their wallets to receive cryptocurrency. If users "connect" their wallets, they actually sign a malicious contract designed to activate a cryptocurrency drainer. Upon activation, this drainer transfers the victim's crypto funds to scammers.
Simply said, this malicious tool drains the wallets belonging to victims. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. Therefore, victims who fall for scams like claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz lose their digital assets permanently. It is important to make sure a crypto exchange or other platform is legitimate before connecting wallets or performing other actions.
Name | Fake Hyperliquid ($HYPE) Airdrop |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Fake Claim | Participants can receive free cryptocurrency ($HYPE) |
Disguise | Legitimate Hyperliquid airdrop/giveaway |
Related Domain | claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz, hyperliquid-claim[.]top |
Detection Names (claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz) | Trustwave (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Symptoms | Incorrect domain, lack of official verification, unrealistic claims, too good-to-be-true promises. |
Distribution methods | Compromised social media accounts, hijacked WordPress sites, rogue online pop-up ads, phishing emails, unwanted applications. |
Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
Many fake websites, such as claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz, exist, often mimicking original pages with nearly identical designs. They lure users by offering participation in cryptocurrency airdrops or similar events. However, those who fall for these scams risk losing their cryptocurrency.
Therefore, it is important to approach such offers with skepticism and conduct thorough research to avoid losses of crypto holdings. Some examples of fraudulent airdrops/crypto giveaways are the fake "Klaytn ($KLAY) Airdrop", "USDT NFT Airdrop", and "Grayscale ($GRAY) Airdrop".
How did I open a scam website?
Fake airdrops designed to trick users into activating cryptocurrency drainers are commonly promoted via hijacked WordPress sites and stolen social media accounts. Most scammers use accounts stolen from celebrities or reputable companies (or other entities). Adware and similar software can also be used to promote scams like claim-hyperliquid[.]xyz.
Additionally, users can encounter scams via misleading ads on dubious pages, notifications from pages of this kind, platforms associated with rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent sites or illegal movie streaming pages), fraudulent emails containing links, and similar channels.
How to avoid visiting scam pages?
Check websites' URLs to see if they are official, and avoid clicking on ads, pop-ups, buttons, and similar content on shady sites. Also, do not permit questionable websites to send notifications. Moreover, download apps and files from reliable sources, such as official web pages and app stores.
Do not open links or files in irrelevant emails from unknown addresses. Keep your operating system and applications up to date. Lastly, regularly scan your computer for unwanted apps using a reputable security tool. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of the fake "Hyperliquid ($HYPE)" airdrop (GIF):
Real/legitimate Hyperliquid website (hyperliquid[.]xyz):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Fake Hyperliquid ($HYPE) Airdrop?
- 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 cryptocurrency airdrop?
It is a fraudulent giveaway promising participants free cryptocurrency. Typically, users are instructed to participate by connecting their wallets or completing other tasks.
What is the purpose of a fake airdrop?
Usually, scammers orchestrating such schemes intend to steal cryptocurrency through methods like cryptocurrency drainers or the theft of crypto wallets.
Why do I encounter scams?
Users often stumble upon scams when they click on misleading ads, open links in fraudulent emails, visit pages linked to rogue advertising networks (like torrent sites), or engage with notifications from untrustworthy websites.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?
Combo Cleaner has the capability to scan every website you visit, effectively identifying malicious ones, including those designed to host various scams. This feature ensures immediate warnings and access restrictions to enhance your safety.
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