How to avoid falling for scams like "MASK Token Airdrop"

What is "MASK Token Airdrop"?

Our investigation has revealed that this is a deceptive scheme masquerading as a genuine giveaway (airdrop) of MASK tokens. The primary goal of the scammers orchestrating this fraudulent operation is to acquire cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users. Therefore, it is advised to disregard and avoid engaging with it.

"MASK Token Airdrop" scam in detail

The scammers behind posts on X (Twitter) that promote this counterfeit giveaway claim to have acquired a significant quantity of MASK tokens. These posts contain links designed to open a fake website. This page announces the arrival of the $MASK Airdrop and claims eligibility for users who have utilized the Metamask application since 2019.

It suggests that various factors, including interactions with dApps, Swaps, Exchanges, and NFTs, determine the amount of tokens users can claim. The page is designed to entice users into believing they qualify for the airdrop based on their Metamask usage and activities within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Upon clicking the "CLAIM $MASK" button presented on the page, users are instructed to connect their wallet. When users adhere to the given instructions, they unwittingly grant authorization to a malicious contract. This contract is crafted to trigger a drainer explicitly designed for executing unauthorized transactions.

Once activated, the drainer transfers digital currency from the victim's wallet to the scammer's wallet. Hence, it is highly advisable to refrain from complying with any instructions from the deceptive website to mitigate the risk of financial losses.

Threat Summary:

Name	MASK Token Airdrop fake giveaway
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Participants are elgibile for free MASK tokens
Disguise	MASK giveaway
Related Domains	metamask-mask[.]com, mask-token[.]org, masktokens[.]io, metamask.com-zt2[.]xyz
Detection Names (metamask-mask[.]com)	Avira (Phishing), Combo Cleaner (Phishing), ESET (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), Sophos (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (mask-token[.]org)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Lack of official verification, unrealistic claims, too good-to-be-true promises.
Distribution methods	Post on X (Twitter), deceptive websites, rogue online pop-up ads, unwanted applications.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.
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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this scam operates by coercing users into authorizing a harmful contract through deceptive instructions. Understanding the inherent difficulty in recovering transferred cryptocurrency funds underscores the importance of vigilance and caution when navigating the online landscape.

Users should remain informed about such scams and adopt preventive measures to safeguard against falling victim to deceptive schemes. More examples of similar scams are "FAR TOKEN AIRDROP", "Find Unclaimed Airdrops", and "Win Space Skellies NFTs".

How did I open a scam website?

Fraudsters frequently employ phishing emails, messages, or social media posts containing links to promote their scams. Inadvertent clicks on these links can direct unsuspecting users to scam websites. The scheme outlined in our article is propagated through deceitful posts on X (Twitter).

Alternatively, scammers manipulate search engine results or utilize misleading ads to deceive users into accessing scam pages. Scams are also promoted through adware, notifications emanating from dubious sites, and pages leveraging illicit advertising networks, such as torrent sites and unauthorized movie streaming platforms.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Exercise vigilance when selecting search results, particularly if they appear unrelated or dubious. Be cautious when encountering websites, advertisements, and pop-ups that promise impractical rewards, prizes, or discounts. Refrain from agreeing to receive notifications from suspicious websites.

When downloading applications, opt for official sources and app stores to steer clear of apps that might propagate scams and other deceptive content. Refrain from clicking on links in unsolicited and irrelevant emails. Employ reliable antivirus and anti-malware software for added security.

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

The appearance of "MASK Token Airdrop" scam (GIF):

Text in this page:

The $MASK Airdrop is finally here!

If you have used the Metamask application after 2019 you are eligible to claim the $MASK token.
There are multiple factors that contribute to the amount of tokens you will be able to claim such as your interaction with dApps, Swaps, Exchanges and NFTs.

Post on X (Twitter) promoting this scam:

Another variant of the "MASK Token Airdrop" scam:

Post on X (Twitter) promoting this variant:

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Quick menu:

• What is MASK Token Airdrop fake giveaway?
• 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 a fake crypto giveaway?

A fraudulent cryptocurrency giveaway is a deceptive scheme where scammers falsely pledge to distribute cryptocurrency as a reward or incentive. These scams entice individuals with enticing promises of acquiring free digital assets, targeting those seeking quick profits.

What is the purpose of a fake crypto giveaway?

The objective of a deceptive cryptocurrency giveaway is to exploit the enthusiasm surrounding cryptocurrencies, encouraging individuals to take actions that ultimately benefit the scammers. Typically, scammers attempt to steal sensitive information or cryptocurrency.

Why do I encounter fake giveaways?

Scammers utilize a range of methods, such as phishing emails, social media platforms, fake websites, notifications from unreliable sources, and deceptive advertisements, to promote their scams. Users frequently find themselves unintentionally directed to these fraudulent websites while engaging in online activities.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?

Combo Cleaner is crafted to perform thorough scans on each website you visit, efficiently identifying malicious ones, including scam websites. The application alerts users and restricts access to dubious pages, enhancing overall online security.

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