Avoid losing digital assets to fake "Join MetaMask 3.0" sites

What is the fake "Join MetaMask 3.0" website?

Upon examining this "Join MetaMask 3.0" website (server1.update-metamask.workers[.]dev), we determined that it is fake. It masquerades as the official site of the MetaMask cryptocurrency wallet. This "Join MetaMask 3.0" scam aims to trick users into exposing their digital wallets to a crypto drainer, which is designed to steal funds stored therein.

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 "Join MetaMask 3.0" website overview

This scam is a close visual copy of the official MetaMask website (metamask.io). We discovered this scheme on server1.update-metamask.workers[.]dev, but it could be hosted elsewhere. It must be emphasized that regardless of the visual similarity, this is a fake site that is in no way associated with the real MetaMask.

Attempts to join this "MetaMask 3.0" require users to connect their cryptowallet. By doing so, users execute scripts for the cryptocurrency drainer. Basically, it operates by carrying out automated transfers from victims' wallets to those in the scammers' possession.

Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and target them first. These transactions may appear innocuous, thereby remaining unnoticed for a long time.

It is pertinent to mention that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Join MetaMask 3.0" webpage cannot recover their assets.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Join MetaMask 3.0" crypto drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	MetaMask
Related Domains	server1.update-metamask.workers[.]dev
Detection Names	Combo Cleaner (Phishing), Cluster25 (Phishing), CRDF (Malicious), G-Data (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Lionic (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
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

"Claim SatoshiDEX (SATX)", "Aethir ($ATH) Allocation", "$testME Token Claim", and "$RIO Rewards" are just some of our latest articles on drainers.

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

It is worth mentioning that while online scams are often poorly made and riddled with various errors, they can be competently crafted and even perfectly copy the design of genuine websites. Hence, caution is essential when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

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

Crypto drainers are often endorsed via intrusive pop-up adverts. Some are even fully functional drainers themselves; they lure users into "linking" digital wallets by promising various benefits. These ads have been encountered on legitimate sites that had been compromised.

Additionally, Cryptocurrency-specific schemes are prevalent on social media platforms. The spam posts and private/direct messages can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real projects, companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc.). If the promoted scam aligns with the content ordinary posted by an account – this creates an incredible impression of legitimacy.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is paramount to online safety. Hence, be wary of advertisements and webpages making promises that sound too good to be true. Pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Do not permit suspicious pages to deliver browser notification; instead, ignore or deny such requests (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized via rogue advertising networks. Approach incoming emails and other messages with vigilance; do not open attachments or links present in suspect/irrelevant mail.

Download from official/verified channels and treat installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, 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.

Appearance of the fake "Join MetaMask 3.0" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official MetaMask website (metamask.io):

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 "Join MetaMask 3.0" 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?

Online scams are a type of deceptive content promoted on the Web. The goal is to trick users into performing specific actions, e.g., connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, disclosing sensitive information, sending money to scammers, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, and so forth.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals predominantly profit by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing vulnerable data, and distributing malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Join MetaMask 3.0" scam, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed due to their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Join MetaMask 3.0" site cannot recover the stolen funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly endorsed via webpages utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media posts, DMs/PMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), malvertising (intrusive ads), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is designed to scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious pages. It can also restrict further access to sites hosting said content.

▼ Show Discussion