What is the fake "Ice Token Distribution" platform?
We have inspected the fraudulent Ice token distribution site (giveaway-ice[.]io) and found that its purpose is to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting individuals. The fake website (giveaway-ice[.]io) masquerades as the real Ice Open Network page (ice[.]io) to trick users into participating in a fraudulent scheme.
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.
The fake "Ice Token Distribution" website in detail
Ice Open Network (ION) is a Layer 1 blockchain that can manage millions of transactions per second. Our goal is to create a decentralized future, moving billions of users from traditional web2 to the vast opportunities of web3. Scammers behind giveaway-ice[.]io seek to trick visitors into believing they are on the legitimate page (ice[.]io).
On the fraudulent page, visitors are presented with an Ice token distribution offer. The site suggests that participants can receive free tokens. To "receive" cryptocurrency, users are requested to connect their wallets. However, connecting a wallet on giveaway-ice[.]io signs a malicious contract designed to launch a cryptocurrency drainer.
The crypto drainer utilized in this scam transfers cryptocurrency from the victim's wallet to the one owned by scammers behind giveaway-ice[.]io. It means that victims lose their cryptocurrency once the drainer successfully siphons digital assets. Unfortunately, it is impossible (or extremely difficult) to recover funds stolen by scammers.
Thus, it is strongly recommended that you ensure a cryptocurrency platform is legitimate before connecting a wallet, transferring cryptocurrency, or performing similar actions to avoid permanently losing cryptocurrency.
| Name | Fake Ice Token Distribution platform |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Participants can receive free Ice tokens |
| Disguise | Legitimate Ice Open Network (ION) website |
| Fake Website | giveaway-ice[.]io |
| Detection Names (giveaway-ice[.]io) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Incorrect domain, lack of official verification, unrealistic claims, too good-to-be-true promises. |
| Distribution methods | Compromised social media accounts, hijacked WordPress sites, rogue online pop-up ads, phishing emails, unwanted applications. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, giveaway-ice[.]io is a classic example of a fraudulent scheme involving a fake website that resembles the official one. There are numerous examples of crypto-related scams (including scam websites utilizing cryptocurrency drainers). Therefore, it is crucial for users to thoroughly research crypto platforms before getting involved.
Examples of similar scams created to steal cryptocurrency are the fake "Polyhedra Network $ZK Airdrop", LightLink Wallet Connect", and "EigenDA Maines Launch Allocation".
How did I open a scam website?
It is common for scams like giveaway-ice[.]io to be promoted using stolen social media accounts (mostly those belonging to celebrities or well-known companies) or hijacked WordPress websites. Misleading advertisem*nts, pop-ups, or fake buttons on questionable pages can also lead users to web pages hosting various scams.
Additionally, scammers often utilize pages associated with rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent sites or illegal movie streaming pages) to direct users to scam websites. In other cases, users end up visiting scam pages via notifications from unreliable pages or ads generated by advertising-supported (or similar) apps.
How to avoid visiting scam pages?
Exercise caution when dealing with unexpected or irrelevant emails and messages from unknown senders (especially when they contain links or files). Avoid interacting with ads and pop-ups on questionable web pages. Always double-check website URLs before clicking to ensure they are correct and lead to reliable sites.
Also, download apps only from trusted sources such as official websites and app stores (avoid using other sources). Do not permit shady sites to show notifications, and regularly scan your operating system for potential threats. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of the fraudulent "Ice Token Distribution" site (GIF):
Screenshot of the real website (ice[.]io):
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Quick menu:
- What is Fake Ice Token Distribution platform?
- 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 macOS.
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 macOS) - 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 a crypto scam?
Cryptocurrency scams are deceptive schemes aimed at convincing people to transfer their digital assets (cryptocurrency), activate mechanisms (crypto drainers) that steal their cryptocurrency, or disclose sensitive information like seed phrases.
Is it possible to retrieve lost crypto funds?
Once cryptocurrency transactions are completed, they usually cannot be reversed. It means that victims cannot retrieve funds once they have been sent to a wallet owned by a scammer.
Why do I encounter crypto scams?
Scammers often steal social media profiles (e.g., Twitter or Facebook accounts), hijack WordPress sites, send phishing emails, create misleading ads and pop-ups, and use shady advertising networks to trick users into visiting scam websites.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?
Combo Cleaner can detect a variety of scams and alert users instantly when it detects a fraudulent website. Moreover, Combo Cleaner promptly imposes access restrictions to minimize the chance of unintentional interaction with suspicious pages.
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