Differentiating from other financial assets with its digital presence, Bitcoin has been in demand from many segments, including corporate companies, for 12 years. But as with everything else, Bitcoin has gone through some rough road. In addition to price decreases, the crypto money , which is also used by hackers from time to time, was also used in illegal activities. Thousands of dollars worth of stolen cryptocurrencies did not make users nervous.
Although cryptocurrency users rely on the applications and exchanges they use, unfortunately hackers can seize large amounts of money by targeting these platforms and investors. So, as a crypto investor, can you protect yourself from the most common scams? Don't worry, the answer to this question is a resounding " Yes ". You will soon learn about the most preferred fraud methods of hackers and how to protect them.
Here are 10 Bitcoin scams and protection methods to watch out for.
Phishing Fraud (Phishing)
Phishing scam is perhaps the most common type and is also known as phishing. Phishing ranging from social media to email fraud is a very common scam in the Bitcoin market. In these types of scams, you are usually asked to download a virus-infected file or click on a link prepared to steal your information.
“You have to log in to the system again due to an update in the system. Please click the link and update your information. ”,“ Your password will expire within 1 day. Please change your password. " They can send messages via social media or e-mails containing messages such as. In a phishing attack in the USA in 2019, fraudsters seized close to $ 360,000 and were sentenced to 12 months in prison .
How are you protected?
The best way to avoid being scammed through phishing on social media is to thoroughly check who has sent messages to you. You should look for verified accounts and thoroughly check their reliability. For example, an account with 10 thousand followers may be reassuring to you, but you should stay away from accounts with this fake user base with a maximum number of photo / post likes of 5-10. Scammers often buy followers and try to get people to believe they are an original account.
When it comes to avoiding phishing email scams, you first need to check if the incoming emails are from the original source. You should not rely on spammy emails that contain meaningless letters and numbers (such as " ght43!asdc.-002a@blabla [.] Co"). If there are situations in between, you must reach the original place of the e-mail and make a confirmation.
Malicious Software
Malware is highly dangerous software capable of intercepting all of your personal data. Scammers who can gain access to your computer through an application can take over all your money. They can access your computer or phone with fraudulent wallet applications ( such as Ledger wallet fraud ) or updates with malware.
How are you protected?
To protect yourself from malware, you must be very careful about your computer and mobile device security. You can use anti-virus software that is effective against virus-infected software. You should never click on dangerous-looking links and be alert for suspicious links.
When downloading software from app stores or websites, be sure to check if the site is reliable or genuine. Finally, make sure that the operating system of the device you are using is up to date.
Ransomware (Ransomware)
Ransomware is also actually a type of malware. These attacks can target highly critical companies, institutions or individuals. In this type of software, victims are asked to pay a high fee. Otherwise, it is said that allegedly obtained information about that person or institution will be leaked and threatened. A close example is the ransom attack of the Israeli insurance company . The scammers said they would return the company data for 50 BTC.
How are you protected?
Make sure to use a good anti-virus program and always keep your operating system up to date. Don't click and report links and emails that seem suspicious. If you see fancy, unrealistic pop-up ads, never click. Never open some extensions attached to emails such as .exe, .scr, .rip .
How are you protected?
Before you rely on any new money or tokens created within the Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency market, look at what they demand from you. If you are only included in a formation formed by a certain cryptocurrency community, you are probably dealing with ponzi or a chain of happiness. If you are asked to bring in members or pay to earn a higher sum, walk away directly.
