Security Alert: Fake Airdrop on Cointelegraph Exposes Users to Scams

In a recent incident, visitors to Cointelegraph encountered a deceptive pop-up, claiming they had won 50,000 “CTG” tokens, falsely valued at over $5,000. This unexpected offer, branded with Cointelegraph’s logo and familiar airdrop features, urged users to connect their crypto wallets.

Identifying the Fraud: Fake Airdrop Interface

The fraudulent interface, as reported by Scam Sniffer, included elements typical of a legitimate token distribution, such as a countdown timer and enticing buttons. It even falsely advertised the process as “secure,” “instant,” and “verified,” with a fake reward estimate of $5,490. However, these claims were unfounded, as no CTG token was found on major platforms like CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap, indicating a scam.

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The Attack Vector: Ad System Compromise

Security analysts traced the source of the malicious script to Cointelegraph’s advertising partner rather than the main website code. Cointelegraph confirmed that the breach originated from their ad system. This incident followed a similar attack on CoinMarketCap, highlighting a trend where attackers exploit trusted ad networks to deliver harmful scripts.

Wallet Security Threats

Once users clicked “connect,” hidden scripts could initiate unauthorized wallet approvals and transfers. This method poses a significant threat, as it grants hackers the ability to empty wallets in seconds, bypassing traditional phishing techniques by targeting trusted websites.

Strengthening Defenses Against Ad-Based Attacks

As these ad-driven attacks rise, cryptocurrency platforms must enhance security measures for third-party integrations. Experts call for thorough audits of ad scripts, isolation of third-party code, and continuous site activity monitoring. For users, employing ad blockers or script-blocking extensions can mitigate these risks. The recent incidents underscore a shift in attackers’ tactics from email scams to exploiting prominent websites’ front-end vulnerabilities.

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