How to avoid losing money via scams like "Plug Wallet"

What kind of scam is Plug Wallet?

Upon examination, it has been determined that this is a deceptive scheme masquerading as a giveaway associated with the legitimate platform Plug, which serves as an Internet Computer (IC) browser crypto wallet and authentication provider. The purpose of this scam is to steal cryptocurrency from individuals.

"Plug Wallet" in detail

This scam is promoted using posts on X (formerly Twitter). These posts promote a purported "holder awards program" with the claim of giving back to the community. They announce the distribution of rewards to wallets that have engaged with the Internet Computer (ICP) ecosystem. These posts include a link (plugwallet[.]co) through which users are encouraged to access the program.

Plugwallet[.]co is an imitation of the legitimate page, plugwallet[.]ooo. This fraudulent site instructs users to connect their wallets. Adhering to the given instructions leads to the approval of a harmful contract designed to initiate a cryptocurrency drainer. This drainer is specifically created to siphon cryptocurrency from targeted wallets.

Once activated, the drainer transfers digital currency from the victim's wallet to the attacker's wallet. It is crucial to recognize that cryptocurrency transactions are typically irreversible, presenting difficulties in tracing and recovering funds after the transfer has occurred.

Also, users engaging with cryptocurrency platforms must prioritize thorough verification of legitimacy to safeguard their assets. This includes confirming the authenticity of websites, scrutinizing communication channels, and researching the platform's reputation within the cryptocurrency community.

Threat Summary:

Name	Plug Wallet fake giveaway
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Participants will receive rewards
Disguise	Legitimate Plug platform
Related Domain	plugwallet[.]co
Detection Names (plugwallet[.]co)	Emsisoft (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (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, scams related to cryptocurrency persist as a prevalent threat in the digital landscape. Whether through deceptive giveaways, fraudulent promotions, or disguised pages, these schemes often share common traits aimed at exploiting users' trust and financial interests.

As the cryptocurrency space continues to grow, users must remain vigilant, exercise due diligence in verifying the legitimacy of platforms, and stay informed about emerging scam tactics. Some examples of scams similar to the one described in our article are "SEC Token Refund Airdrop", "MultiBit Airdrop", and "Dymension Genesis".

How did I open a scam website?

Users may unknowingly open websites hosting scams through various means. One common method is through phishing emails, where deceptive messages entice users to click on malicious links that redirect them to fraudulent websites. Another avenue is through online advertisements, particularly those employing clickbait tactics or offering seemingly irresistible deals.

Sites associated with rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent sites and illegal movie streaming pages) and notifications from unreliable pages are also used to promote various scams. Additionally, users might land on scam websites through search engine results, especially if the scammers have manipulated search engine optimization techniques to boost their visibility.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Exercise caution with email links, especially those from unknown senders. Be wary of online advertisements, pop-ups, and similar content presented by shady sites. Stick to reputable sources (official pages and app stores) for downloading apps and files. Do not allow questionable websites to send notifications.

Additionally, use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software and keep it up to date to help detect and block potential threats. Educate yourself about common online scams and phishing tactics to enhance your ability to recognize and avoid them. 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 "Plug Wallet" pop-up scam (GIF):

A post on X promoting this scam:

Legitimate Plug website (plugwallet[.]ooo):

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Quick menu:

• What is Plug Wallet 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 cryptocurrency giveaway?

A deceptive cryptocurrency giveaway (airdrop) is a fraudulent scheme in which scammers claim to offer complimentary tokens or rewards to deceive individuals into undertaking certain actions.

What is the purpose of a giveaway scam?

Fraudsters engage in giveaway scams with the intention of duping individuals, seeking to extract sensitive information and cryptocurrency.

Why do I encounter fake giveaways?

In order to ensnare victims, scammers deploy an array of tactics, including the use of counterfeit social media accounts, deceptive websites, misleading advertisements, adware, notifications from untrustworthy websites, and similar channels. Inadvertently landing on scam pages is a common occurrence.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner possesses the ability to perform thorough scans of every website users visit, proficiently identifying malicious sites, including those associated with scams. The application promptly alerts users and restricts access to unreliable websites.

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