How to identify scams like the fake "Lido Finance Airdrop"

What is the fake "Lido Finance Airdrop"?

We have analysed the website (app.ldo-steth[.]com) and discovered that it is a scam. This page mimics the original Lido platform (lido.fi) to trick visitors into connecting their wallets. Victims of this scam can have their cryptocurrency stolen. Thus, this fraudulent page should not be trusted and should be closed if opened.

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 "Lido Finance Airdrop" in detail

Lido (lido.fi) is a system on the Ethereum blockchain that lets users stake their cryptocurrency. When staking through Lido, users get special tokens that earn rewards from helping run the network, and these tokens can also be traded or used in other blockchain activities.

The fraudulent page (app.ldo-steth[.]com) poses as a Lido Finance airdrop. It claims to offer a limited quantity of tokens in its final round. Visitors are instructed to connect and verify their cryptocurrency wallets to claim the reward. It displays misleading figures for staked ETH, annual percentage rate, and tokens paid to make the offer appear legitimate.

When a wallet is connected, the site triggers a crypto-draining tool that siphons digital assets from the victim's wallet (it sends crypto to the scammer's wallet). Since blockchain transactions are irreversible, stolen funds usually cannot be recovered.

This makes it essential to confirm the authenticity of any cryptocurrency-related service, particularly those offering giveaways or airdrops.

Similar scams in general

Fraudulent crypto websites tend to impersonate legitimate platforms to deceive unsuspecting individuals into connecting their wallets. These sites often entice victims with promises of free cryptocurrency or other incentives. After gaining access, scammers deploy drainers to steal the digital assets.

Here are some examples of other fake platforms using drainers: "Plume Airdrop", "NAYM Token Airdrop", and "Qubetics Airdrop".

How did I open a scam website?

Scam pages containing crypto drainers are often advertised through fake or hacked social media profiles on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, as well as through hijacked WordPress sites. Typically, users are lured through fraudulent links.

Additionally, scams spread via deceptive emails, misleading ads, notifications from unreliable pages, and malicious advertising networks. These rogue ad networks are frequently found on websites offering torrent downloads, adult content, illegal movie streams, and similar services.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Exercise caution when receiving unexpected or unrelated emails or messages from unknown senders, particularly if they include links or files (attachments). Avoid interacting with pop-ups, ads, download buttons, or links on questionable websites, and never agree to get notifications from untrustworthy pages.

Regularly scan your computer for threats using a reliable security tool and keep the operating system and apps up to date. Also, use official sites or app stores when downloading software or files, and avoid using pirated software, cracking tools, key generators, etc.

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 "Lido Finance Airdrop" scam (GIF):

The original Lido website (lido.fi):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Fake Lido Finance airdrop?
• 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?

It usually involves a fraudulent website promising free cryptocurrency to participants. Such offers are often referred to as airdrops.

What is the purpose of a fake crypto giveaway?

These scams aim to deceive users into performing actions that allow fraudsters to access and steal their cryptocurrency.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Fraudsters employ various methods to lure users to scam websites, such as deceptive advertisements, hijacked or fake social media accounts, hacked webpages, phishing emails, notifications from untrustworthy sites,, adware, and rogue advertising networks.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me scams?

Combo Cleaner scans websites for possible threats such as scams and malware. When it detects a dangerous site, it alerts the user and prevents access to it.