Bitcoin is hailed by cryptocurrency optimists as the trading asset of the future. And beyond its expansion in recent times, its users and connoisseurs still represent a small portion worldwide. From this ignorance, hackers take advantage to scam the most vulnerable.
If one could get into the mind of a criminal, one could say: What better than to take my computer skills, take advantage of the little expansion of digital assets to make false promises and steal money in a few steps? This is phishing and it is a present threat every day. Millions of people receive emails from people posing as large companies (Netflix, Spotify, banks, for example) and require the entry of passwords to "solve problems."
Phishing scams
After the massive scam that occurred on July 15 through Twitter, in which hackers promised to return double the amount of BTC sent and more than $ 100,000 was stolen in a few minutes , many companies began to warn about these dangers . One of them is Ledger , who just suffered the intrusion of criminals into his system.
A few days ago, the hardware firm walllet disclosed that a person gained access to a part of the e-commerce and marketing database through an API key. The offender seized emails from all the clients, as well as contact and order details, such as first and last name, postal address, email address, and telephone number of some of them. The database consisted of approximately one million email addresses.
The company, creator of hardware wallets, assures that having one of them is the best option to safely protect the BTC. This safe is not connected to any network, so no computer scammer could get hold of it, unless he finds the place where one hides it.
However, Ledger cautions that even for hardware wallet holders, there are ways you can fall victim to a scam. If you've got a Facebook post or YouTube video announcing that LEDGER is giving away incredible amounts of crypto, be wary. If something is too good to be true, it probably is.
Identify a phishing scam
The most common phishing practice is phishing. People posing as others: they change a letter to the email or add a number. That is why it is important to connect with platforms that are verified. It is important to clarify that if people do not have your data, or your recovery phrase, you are not in any danger.
We repeat: the recovery phrase is vital information for any hardware wallet user. If something happens to your device, this will regain access to all assets. Given the importance of these 24 words, scammers look for them. From a fake wallet app requesting them as a result of a fake error to promising to give you crypto.
What is a solution to avoid falling into these traps? Always keep your 24-word catchphrase offline. As long as one does not compare their words, there is no way for them to have access. Offline is clear: it does not make sense to have them on a computer, smartphone or any other device. Write them down on a piece of paper, in a place that nobody knows about, keep them safe and out of everyone's sight.
Scam prevention
The Twitter scam met the basic rule hackers use: promises that don't make any sense. As Ledger explains , putting this in context: it is similar to someone on the street promising to give you a 100 peso bill if you first give them 10. Sounds suspicious, right? The only difference is that cryptocurrency transactions are permanent, irreversible, and you don't know who you are trading with.
Another possible solution is not to send cryptocurrencies to anyone you do not know, and especially to that person who offers to return more in return. And if one arrives at a possible scam, he realizes it, it would be important to inform so that these publications are eliminated and no unsuspecting suffers from any theft.
Ledger has a strong commitment to computer security and fighting phishing, arguably the greatest evil that cryptocurrencies have today. It is essential to be attentive and distrust false promises.
