How to recognize fake "Trezor Security Update" websites

What is the fake "Trezor Security Update" website?

While browsing dubious websites, our researchers discovered this fake "Trezor Security Update" page. It impersonates the official website of the Trezor wallet (trezor.io) and claims that users must undertake a critical update. This is a phishing scam that targets cryptocurrency wallet log-in credentials.

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 "Trezor Security Update" website overview

We found this scam hosted on trezor.update-suite-online[.]com, yet other domains are possible. The webpage masquerades as the official site of the Trezor hardware wallet – a type of cryptocurrency wallet that stores keys offline, thus protecting them from online threats.

Initially, the imitator page presents users with a "Trezor security update", and a button beside the question "Trezor not detected?". After the "Find Trezor" button is clicked, the page warns users not to close their browser or otherwise interrupt the update. Ignoring this warning can result in various issues, such as a disruption to the display of error messages, indefinite maintenance modes, and others.

Beside the terms and services agreement, the webpage has an "Enable Update" button, pressing it prompts users to enter their wallet passphrases.

It must be emphasized that this update is fake, and this scam is in no way associated with Trezor or any other existing products, services, or entities.

This is a phishing scam – hence, when a victim enters their cryptowallet passphrase into the webpage, it is recorded and sent to scammers. Thus, cyber criminals are enabled to steal the funds stored therein.

What is more, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible because they are practically untraceable. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Trezor Security Update" site cannot recover their digital assets.

Cryptocurrency-targeting scam examples

There are three primary types of crypto scams: phishing scams that target wallet log-in credentials, drainers that utilize draining mechanisms to siphon funds from exposed wallets, and those intended to trick users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

We have investigated numerous cryptocurrency-centered scams; fake "Gasspas (GASS)" website, "CryptoNex ETH Voucher", "Claim Your Solana (SOL) Back", "Osaka Protocol ($OSAK) Reward Distribution", "Lido Finance Airdrop", "US Government BTC Refund", "$ERA Airdrop", and "$REKT Airdrop" are merely some of our latest articles.

Keep in mind that the Internet is full of deceptive and malicious content – therefore, always be careful when browsing and investing online.

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are primarily endorsed via websites employing rogue advertising networks (redirects), malvertising (intrusive advertisements), spam (e.g., emails, social media/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, browser notifications, cold calls/ robocalls, SMSes, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware (ads/redirects).

It is worth mentioning that crypto scam promoting intrusive pop-up adverts have been encountered on legitimate sites that have been hacked. Some of these ads were fully functional drainers (i.e., capable of executing wallet draining scripts).

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is crucial to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, be aware of websites, advertisements, and messages that warn about severe issues or make unbelievable promises. Take note of URLs and type them attentively. Do not use sites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.

Do not enable suspect pages to deliver browser notifications; ignore or deny their requests (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Do not open attachments or links found in questionable/irrelevant emails and other messages.

Download only from official/verified channels and be careful when installing (e.g., read terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous 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 "Trezor Security Update" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Trezor website (trezor.io):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Trezor Security Update" 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 scams promoted on the Web. They aim to trick users into performing specific actions, such as disclosing sensitive information (like passwords/passphrases), sending money to scammers, connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, downloading/installing programs, purchasing products, subscribing to services, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

The purpose of online scams is to generate revenue for scammers. Typically, this is achieved by abusing/selling private information, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), obtaining funds through deception, and spreading malware.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by an online scam, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – change the passwords/passphrases of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. However, if you have disclosed other private information (e.g., ID card details, passport scans/photos, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact the appropriate authorities.

I have lost digital assets to the "Trezor Security Update" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed due to being nearly untraceable. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Trezor Security Update" webpage cannot get their money back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly encountered via intrusive ads, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, browser notifications, social media posts, DMs/PMs, etc.), misspelled URLs, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

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