Avoid getting scammed by fake "AppleCoin" websites

What kind of scam is "AppleCoin"?

This "AppleCoin" platform is a scam. It operates as a crypto drainer, i.e., empties the cryptocurrency stored in wallets connected to it. This "AppleCoin" scheme has been observed being endorsed by posts made on the X (more commonly known by its former name – Twitter) social media platform.

"AppleCoin" scam overview

The "AppleCoin" scam is a cryptocurrency drainer. It aims to lure users into connecting their digital wallets to it. Among the scheme's targets are the following crypto platforms: WalletConnect, MetaMask, Trust, Ledger Live, Safe, Coinbase, etc. The mechanism entails automatic outgoing transactions from the victims' wallets to those owned by scammers.

The scope of the financial loss depends on the worth of the digital assets stored in the exposed cryptowallet. It is noteworthy that these transactions cannot be reversed due to their practically untraceable nature.

Threat Summary:

Name	"AppleCoin" scam website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Related Domains	abytes[.]xyz
Detection Names (abytes[.]xyz)	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (abytes[.]xyz)	192.64.119.168
Distribution methods	Spam social media posts, compromised websites, 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.

Similar scam examples

"QQL Mint Pass", "Binance x MetaMask Partnership", "OPTIMISM Airdrop", and "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" are merely some examples of cryptocurrency-draining schemes. Evidently, this deceptive content is motivated by financial gain – which is true of virtually all scams.

Other commonly used fake claims to lure victims include: cryptocurrency airdrops, giveaways, lotteries, system infections, critical errors, outdated software, etc.

While online scams are notorious for being riddled with various kinds of mistakes, they may also be competently crafted and even disguised as content associated with legitimate companies, organizations, institutions, or other entities.

How did I open a scam website?

The "AppleCoin" scam has been promoted through posts on the X (formerly Twitter) social media platform. They were likely made by hijacked accounts. It is standard for cryptocurrency-related schemes to be pushed by accounts stolen from genuine companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc.

Keep in mind that other endorsement techniques are possible. Spam is often used to promote scams (e.g., posts on online platforms, browser notifications, emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, etc.).

Alternatively, deceptive webpages can be entered via redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive advertisements, or installed adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly recommend caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads and spam browser notifications may look innocuous yet redirect to unreliable/dubious sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

It is important to pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. We advise against visiting websites that offer pirated programs/media or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages are typically monetized via rogue advertising networks.

Additionally, be vigilant with incoming mail and do not open attachments/links found in suspect messages. To avoid receiving unwanted browser notifications – do not enable suspicious pages to display them (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification delivery (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

We also advise downloading from official/trustworthy sources and treating installations with care (e.g., reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of supplementary apps, extensions, etc.) – to avoid allowing bundled/harmful content to infiltrate the device.

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

The appearance of "AppleCoin" scam (GIF):

Screenshot of a post promoting the "AppleCoin" scam on the X (formerly Twitter) social media platform:

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 "AppleCoin" scam website?
• 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 messages intended to deceive users into performing specific actions, e.g., connecting their cryptowallets to cryptocurrency drainers, making monetary transactions, revealing sensitive information, calling fake helplines, allowing cyber criminals to connect to devices remotely, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue. Cyber criminals profit primarily by obtaining funds through deception, selling or abusing private data, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), and proliferating malware.

I have lost cryptocurrency to the "AppleCoin" scam, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions are practically untraceable – hence, they cannot be reversed.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are run on deceptive webpages. "AppleCoin" has been noted being promoted through X (formerly Twitter) posts made by likely hijacked accounts. Spam is commonly used in scam endorsement (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.). Scam sites can also be accessed via redirects generated by sites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan every single website you visit. It is capable of detecting rogue, deceptive/scam, and malicious pages. Therefore, should you enter such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be denied.

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