How to identify fake $XOS airdrop websites

What is the fake "$XOS Airdrop" website?

"$XOS Airdrop" is a scam that imitates the XOS network (x.ink). This fake website operates as a cryptocurrency drainer, stealing funds from exposed cryptowallets.

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 "$XOS Airdrop" website overview

We found the scam promoted on xos.app-wallets[.]com, but it could also be hosted elsewhere. It is presented as the XOS network (x.ink), yet the scam is in no way associated with it or any other legitimate platforms and entities.

Once a cryptocurrency wallet is connected to the deceptive page, a malicious contract is signed. It facilitates the transfer of the victim's funds to wallets into the cyber criminals' possession. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft. These transactions are automated and may appear vague, thus they can remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time.

It must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of these transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of fake websites like "$XOS Airdrop" cannot recover the stolen assets.

Threat Summary:

Name	"$XOS Airdrop" crypto drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	XOS network
Related Domains	xos.app-wallets[.]com
Detection Names	CRDF (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	172.67.194.216
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

We have investigated numerous online scams; "$OBT Airdrop", "Claim Obol", "DApp Rectification", "HyperLiquid Wallet Connection", and "Melania Trump Meme Coin" are merely a few of our newest articles on drainers.

Scams that target cryptocurrency tend to do so in one of three ways – using draining mechanisms to steal funds from exposed wallets, phishing for wallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

How did I open a scam website?

Drainers are commonly endorsed through malvertising, specifically – intrusive pop-up ads. These pop-ups can be fully functional drainers themselves; they entice users into "linking" wallets by promising various benefits. It is noteworthy that these advertisements have been encountered on legitimate sites that had been hacked.

Additionally, crypto-specific scams are promoted via social media spam. Promotional posts and private/direct messages (PMs/DMs) can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, organizations, entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, etc.

Other endorsement methods are not unlikely. Generally, online scams are most commonly pushed through websites utilizing rogue advertising, different types of spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, forum posts, browser notifications, etc.), malvertising, typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly advise vigilance when browsing since the Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. Therefore, be wary of sites, advertisements, and messages making promises that sound too good to be true. Take note of URLs and type them attentively. Do not use websites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these pages often utilize rogue advertising networks.

Do not permit suspicious sites to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny their requests (i.e., do click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Approach incoming emails and other messages with care; do not open attachments or links found in dubious/irrelevant mail.

Download only from official/verified sources and be cautious when installing (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software 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 "$XOS Airdrop" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official XOS website (x.ink):

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Quick menu:

• What is "$XOS Airdrop" 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 Internet content that aims to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be lured into connecting digital wallets to cryptowallets, transferring money to scammers, disclosing sensitive information, downloading/installing programs, purchasing products, subscribing to services, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by acquiring funds through deception, promoting websites/software, abusing/selling data, and proliferating malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "$XOS Airdrop" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "$XOS Airdrop" site cannot get their money back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

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

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan visited sites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious content. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be alerted immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.

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