Avoid having your digital wallet stolen via fake "RPC Recovery Hub" websites

What kind of scam is "RPC Recovery Hub"?

While inspecting suspicious websites, our research team discovered the "RPC Recovery Hub" scam. It is disguised as a protocol for addressing cryptocurrency wallet issues. Instead, the phishing scheme seeks to steal users' wallet log-in credentials. It must be stressed that this scam is not associated with any existing platforms or entities.

"RPC Recovery Hub" scam overview

This scam is presented as an RPC (Remote Procedure Call) recovery hub. It claims to be a protocol for syncing various digital wallet issues, e.g., general, connection, migration, validation, asset recovery, rectification, gas fee, bridging, claiming, staking, depositing/withdrawing, cross-chain, swapping/exchanging, balance, etc.

However, this "RPC Recovery Hub" has no such functionalities, and it is not associated with existing platforms or entities.

After any of the issue-fixing options is selected, an attempt to establish a "connection" is made but fails due to an "error". Hence, the user is requested to connect manually, i.e., by entering their cryptowallet log-in credentials. The data is recorded and sent to scammers, thus allowing them to gain access and control over compromised wallets.

It must be mentioned that due to the practically untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they are untraceable. Therefore, victims of scams like this "RPC Recovery Hub" cannot recover their funds.

Threat Summary:

Name	"RPC Recovery Hub" phishing scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Disguise	Protocol for fixing cryptowallet issues
Related Domains	dappsintegration-rectify.pages[.]dev, rpcdev.pages[.]dev
Detection Names	Combo Cleaner (Phishing), Criminal IP (Phishing), ESET (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Netcraft (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	172.66.44.207
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-specific scam examples

"DappsConnector", "Bitcoin NFT Verification", and "Crypto Maindapp Dapps Protocol" are just a couple examples of crypto-centered scams.

Aside from targeting cryptocurrency wallet log-in credentials, these schemes operate by using draining mechanisms to steal funds from compromised digital wallets or by tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

However, other types of scams are prevalent on the Internet as well. Various lures are used to gain victims' trust, and online schemes rely on different mechanisms. However, the end goal is the same – to generate revenue for scammers.

How did I open a scam website?

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

Cryptocurrency-targeting schemes are often endorsed through social media spam. These posts and private/direct messages can be made using account stolen from genuine projects, organizations, companies, influencers, celebrities, and so on.

Additionally, these scams are promoted via intrusive pop-up ads. Some are fully functional crypto drainers; they entice users into "linking" digital wallets by promising various benefits. It is worth mentioning that these pop-ups have been encountered on legitimate websites that had been compromised.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We recommend vigilance when browsing since the Internet is rife with well-disguised fraudulent and malicious content. Therefore, pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be wary of advertisements, and do not trust offers that sound too good to be true.

Do not enable suspect pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny these requests (i.e., select "Block, "Block Notifications", etc.).

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

Download only from official/trustworthy sources and approach installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software (like adware) 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 "RPC Recovery Hub" scam (GIF):

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▼ 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 "RPC Recovery Hub" phishing 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 promoted on the Web that are designed to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims may be lured into providing private information, connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, and so forth.

What is the purpose of online scams?

The purpose of online scams is to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals predominantly profit by abusing/selling sensitive data, obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), and proliferating malware.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by an online scam, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – change the passwords/passphrases of all potentially exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. However, if the disclosed information was of a different personal nature (e.g., passport photos/scans, ID card details, credit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact relevant authorities.

I have lost digital assets to the "RPC Recovery Hub" scam, can I get my money back?

These transactions are irreversible because of their nearly untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "RPC Recovery Hub" cannot recover the stolen funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Widespread promotional methods include: websites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, browser notifications, social media posts, etc.), intrusive advertisements (malvertising), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive/scam, and malicious ones. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be blocked.

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