Avoid getting scammed by fake "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" websites

What is the fake "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" website?

"Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" is a scam imitating the Aethir platform (aethir.com). This scheme entices users to inadvertently expose their digital wallets to a crypto drainer by promoting an allocation increase of ATH cryptocurrency. Victims of this scam experience financial loss.

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 "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" website overview

We discovered this scam on aethirfoundation[.]com, but it could also be promoted on other domains. The scheme masquerades as Aethir (aethir.com) – a cloud computing service infrastructure comprising enterprise-grade GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) to create a global network for providing resources to various spheres (e.g., AI [Artificial Intelligence], gaming, etc.).

The fake webpage urges users to increase their ATH (Aethir) cryptocurrency allocation, and by attempting to do so – they expose their cryptowallets to a drainer. It must be emphasized that this scam is in no way associated with the actual Aethir platform or any other existing projects and entities.

The draining mechanism is triggered when a victim connects their digital wallet – thus signing a malicious contract that facilitates automated transfers to scammers' cryptowallets. These transactions may appear vague and as such can remain unnoticed for a long time. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and target them first.

It must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" site cannot recover the stolen assets.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" crypto drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Fake Claim	Users are encouraged to increase their ATH cryptocurrency allocation.
Disguise	Aethir platform
Related Domains	aethirfoundation[.]com
Detection Names	G-Data (Phishing), Seclookup (Malicious), Fortinet (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.21.95.40
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

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Schemes that target digital currencies primarily do so by using draining mechanisms to steal funds from exposed wallets, phishing for wallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.

While it is common for online scams to be poorly constructed and full of mistakes, they can be competently crafted and even perfectly copy the design of legitimate websites. Therefore, we highly recommend being vigilant when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are most commonly distributed through spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, social media/ forum posts, etc.), websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads (malvertising), mistyped URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Crypto drainers specifically are often promoted through intrusive pop-up adverts. Some of the pop-ups are fully functional drainers themselves; they entice users into "linking" digital wallets by promising various benefits. It is noteworthy that these advertisements have been encountered on genuine sites that had been compromised.

Additionally, crypto-centered schemes are endorsed via social media spam. Promotional posts and PMs/DMs can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, projects, companies, etc.).

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

The key to online safety is caution. Therefore, take note of URLs and type them attentively. Be wary of ads and websites making promises that sound too good to be true. Do not use sites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.

Do not enable dubious pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny such requests (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Treat incoming emails and other messages with vigilance; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant mail.

Download only from official/verified channels and approach installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous software (like adware) from infiltrating the device.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Appearance of the "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" fake website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Aethir website (aethir.com):

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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 "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" crypto drainer?
• 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?

An online scam is a type of content hosted on the Web that is intended to deceive users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be enticed into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, making monetary transactions, disclosing vulnerable information, buying products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are created for profit. Cyber criminals predominantly generate revenue by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing sensitive data, and spreading malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation" site cannot recover their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are primarily promoted via webpages that employ rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads (malvertising), spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, DMs/PMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect deceptive/malicious content. It can also block all further access to such sites.

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