Safety and transparency is an inherent part of cryptocurrency but that has not deterred unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of the system in any way they can. From simple giveaway scams on social media or email to crypto-jacking (malware being installed on a machine, using it to mine cryptocurrency), scams have taken on various forms.
Recent reports have highlighted a new type of malware targeting cryptocurrency users. In this relatively new scheme, the malware stays on a computer and hijacks particular websites when the user visits them. In this case, it’s none other than Wikipedia.
According to Leaprate, when a user with an infected machine visits Wikipedia, a message calling for donation comes up. In itself, it is not unheard of, as the site has done that in the past. However, this is not an official thing, and the message provides crypto addresses to which users are urged to send ETH or BTC.
If you’re feeling particularly generous and don’t feel like checking authenticity, you can easily fall prey to the scam.
More than Wikipedia, the new malware can make changes to Google searches, displaying modified ads aimed at scamming people out of their crypto. Security experts also say that the malware can target other websites, changing crypto addresses.
Word to the wise: before giving out of the goodness of your heart, make sure you are not being scammed.
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