How to recognize fake "Nft Now ($NOW) Airdrop" sites

What is the fake "Nft Now ($NOW) Airdrop" website?

While investigating untrustworthy websites, our research team discovered this fake "Nft Now ($NOW)" airdrop. This giveaway is not associated with the NFT Now platform. The purpose of this fraudulent page is to serve as a phishing scam targeting cryptocurrency wallet log-in credentials.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not review crypto projects, please do your own research when investing money.

Federal Trade Commission (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 "Nft Now ($NOW) Airdrop" website overview

We found this bogus airdrop on gateway-art[.]pro, yet it could also be hosted on other domains. It is a close imitation of the official NFT Now platform (nftnow.com). NFT Now is a digital media platform focusing on Web3 news and community. The fake webpage promotes an airdrop of a supposed token. It must be reiterated that this scam is in no way associated with the actual NFT Now platform or any other existing projects or entities.

When a user clicks the "CONNECT WALLET" button and selects their cryptowallet, the page states that an update is available. Once the "Update Now" button is pressed, a fake update process is run. Afterward, the user is asked to provide their wallet log-in credentials. Information entered into such phishing websites is recorded and sent to scammers. Thus, by providing their passphrases/ private keys to this website, victims inadvertently expose their digital wallets to cyber criminals.

It must be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible because they are nearly untraceable. Therefore, victims of scams like this imitator "Nft Now ($NOW) Airdrop" webpage cannot recover the stolen digital assets.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

There are three primary types of crypto scams: phishing that targets wallet log-in credentials, drainers that siphon funds from exposed wallets, and social engineering that deceives users into manually transferring assets to wallets in the scammers' possession.

"Chainlink Airdrop", fake "HyENA trading platform" website, "Jupiter Portfolio", "Bullish Degen ($BULLISH) Airdrop", "Tax Evasion Lobster ($LOBSTER) Airdrop", and "rainbowfish ($FISH) Airdrop" are just some of our newest articles on these scams.

While cryptocurrency scams can differ greatly in their appearance, the end goal is the same – to generate revenue at their victims' expense. Therefore, we highly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing online.

How did I open a scam website?

In general, online scams are promoted through webpages using rogue advertising networks (redirects), spam (e.g., browser notifications, emails, forum/ social media posts, DMs/PMs, robocalls, cold calls, etc.), malvertising (intrusive adverts), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware (ads/redirects).

Social media spam is prevalent in crypto scam promotion. These posts and direct/private messages can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real projects, companies, entrepreneurs, influencers, etc.).

It is noteworthy that cryptocurrency drainers are often endorsed via intrusive pop-up advertisements, which may be capable of executing draining scripts themselves. These pop-ups have been encountered on legitimate websites that had been hacked.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is key to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, be wary of websites, ads, and messages that make unbelievable promises or urge you to take immediate action against severe threats. Take note of URLs and type them carefully.

Do not use sites offering pirated software/media or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming, downloading, torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized via rogue advertising networks. Ignore or block browser notification requests from questionable sites.

Do not open attachments or links present in suspicious/irrelevant emails and other communications. Download only from official/verified sources and be attentive during installation (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software (such as adware) from infiltrating the device.

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 "Nft Now ($NOW) Airdrop" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official NFT Now website (nftnow.com):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Nft Now ($NOW) Airdrop" phishing scam?
• 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 deceptive Web content designed to trick victims into performing specific actions. To elaborate, they can be lured into disclosing sensitive information, sending money to scammers, connecting cryptowallets to drainers, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams aim to generate revenue for scammers. These cyber criminals predominantly profit by abusing/selling private information, endorsing content (e.g., sites, products, services, software, etc.), acquiring funds through deception, and distributing malware.

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

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

I have lost digital assets to a fake "Nft Now ($NOW) Airdrop" website, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed due to their nearly untraceable nature. Hence, victims of such scams are incapable of recovering their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Prevalent promotional techniques include: intrusive advertisements, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, social media posts, PMs/DMs, browser notifications, calls, SMSes, etc.), mistyped URLs, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. It can also deny all further access to sites hosting such content.