Phishing is a type of online scam aimed at stealing sensitive data using social engineering techniques. In the cryptocurrency industry, phishing is used to obtain logins and passwords, private keys and secret phrases (seed) that give access to users’ crypto assets.
The most common type of phishing is bulk email. Fraudsters gain access to databases of email addresses as a result of leaks from the databases of various services, such as cryptocurrency exchanges.
Fraudsters send emails on behalf of cryptocurrency exchanges, online wallets, exchangers, cryptocurrency wallet manufacturers, etc. with links to fake sites. If a user enters their username and password or downloads malware from a phishing site, scammers can access their accounts and wallets and steal crypto assets.
Phishing emails contain a company logo and are very similar to official messages. Letters may contain threats, for example, blocking the account on the exchange in case of non-compliance with the conditions. Phishing site addresses are as close as possible to the original URL of the company with minor changes: spoofed, extra or missing characters.
Large cryptocurrency platforms are implementing protection against phishing. For example, a secret word that marks all letters from an exchange or an exchanger, a delay in the withdrawal of crypto assets with a user notification, additional confirmation systems, etc.
How to protect yourself from phishing:
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Check addresses (URLs) of sites of exchanges, exchangers, online wallets before entering a password or downloading software. It is advisable to use bookmarks or enter them manually;
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Do not click on links from suspicious messages received via email or social networks;
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Do not open attachments from suspicious emails;
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Set strong passwords for access to email, cryptocurrency wallets, cryptocurrency exchange accounts, etc.;
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Do not share personal information with anyone. Representatives of a cryptocurrency exchange or wallet will never ask you to provide them with a password or similar information;
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Timely update browsers, antiviruses, wallets and other programs for working with cryptocurrencies.
Source: Bits
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