How to recognize fake "$REKT Airdrop" websites

What is the fake "$REKT Airdrop" website?

While analyzing suspicious sites, our researchers discovered this fake "$REKT" airdrop. It masquerades as the official website of the REKT memecoin (rekt.com). The deceptive page entices users into exposing their digital wallets to a cryptocurrency drainer with an airdrop-themed lure.

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 "$REKT Airdrop" website overview

This scam is presented as an airdrop run on the official website of REKT (rekt.com). REKT is an Ethereum-based memecoin originating from the Rektguy NFT project. The name "REKT" is a slang term meaning "destroyed"; it is used in reference to the losses experienced by digital asset traders. And the REKT memecoin serves as a utility token that aims to acknowledge these losses. REKT is also recognizable for Rekt Drinks – a sparkling water brand – launched by the same project.

It must be emphasized that this airdrop is bogus and is in no way associated with the real REKT or any other existing projects, platforms, or entities.

We discovered this scam on distributions-rekt[.]com, yet it is worth mentioning that it could be hosted on different domains as well.

Once a digital wallet is connected to the fake webpage, the action signs a malicious contract. It facilitates the crypto drainer, which siphons funds from exposed cryptowallets through automated transactions. Drainers may be capable of approximating the value of digital assets and determining which to prioritize stealing.

These transactions might appear innocuous, so they can remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time. What is more, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible because of their practically untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "$REKT Airdrop" website cannot retrieve the stolen assets.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

"$ONTO Migration & Reward", "SetLayer ($SLAY) Airdrop", "NAYM Token Airdrop", and "Plume Airdrop" are merely some of our newest articles on drainers.

Based on our experience, we can infer that there are three primary modes of operation for cryptocurrency-targeting scams. They operate by using draining mechanisms to steal assets from wallets, phishing for wallet log-in credentials, or tricking users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.

The Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. Due to how prevalent scams are on the Web and how well-made they can be – we strongly recommend vigilance when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Two promotional techniques are widely used in crypto scam promotion – intrusive pop-up ads (malvertising) and social media spam. The pop-ups can be fully functional drainers (i.e., capable of executing draining scripts). These adverts may be encountered on legitimate websites that have been compromised.

Promotional social media posts and direct/private messages (DMs/PMs) can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real projects, companies, organizations, entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, etc.). If the endorsed scam aligns with the content ordinarily posed by an account – this creates an incredible impression of legitimacy.

Other promotional techniques are not unlikely. In addition to those previously mentioned, online scams are endorsed via webpages using rogue advertising networks, different types of spam (e.g., emails, browser notifications, forum posts, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, etc.), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is essential to ensure online safety. Be wary of websites, ads, and messages making promises that sound too good to be true. Take note of URLs and enter them with care. Do not use sites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.

Do not permit suspicious pages to deliver browser notifications; ignore or block their notification requests. Do not open attachments or links found in dubious/irrelevant emails and other messages.

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

Screenshot of the official REKT website (rekt.com):

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is "$REKT 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 Web content that aims to deceive users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be lured into connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, sending money to scammers, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. To elaborate, cyber criminals predominantly profit by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., sites, software, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling private data, and spreading malware.

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

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed due to their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "$REKT Airdrop" webpage cannot get their funds back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

The most commonly used promotional techniques include: spam (e.g., social media posts, emails, browser notifications, SMSes, calls, etc.), sites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads (malvertising), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious pages. It can also restrict all further access to such sites.