Abstract
Digital wallets, as an important entry point in the blockchain ecosystem, have become a high-frequency area for cybercrime due to their anonymity and technical complexity. This article systematically outlines the main types of digital wallet scams, including authorization phishing, clipboard viruses, signature scams, NFT airdrop scams, and private key leakage traps, and analyzes their operational principles with actual case studies while proposing targeted prevention strategies to provide users with effective security guidance.
I. Main Types of Digital Wallet Scams
1. Authorization Phishing Scams
Principle
Authorization phishing scams are one of the most common digital wallet fraud methods. Users who click on unknown links (such as free airdrops or whitelist events) are induced to authorize malicious smart contracts with their assets. Subsequently, scammers can transfer users' assets away using the contract's transferFrom function.
Case Studies
The theft of famous singer Jay Chou's bored ape NFT occurred due to authorization phishing, resulting in a loss exceeding 3 million yuan.
Countermeasures
Do not click on links from unknown sources.
Check if the authorization interface shows the word 'Approve'.
Use wallet security plugins to avoid using wallets that hold large amounts of assets for interactions.
2. Clipboard Virus Traps
Principle
Such viruses can lurk in users' devices, automatically identify wallet address formats, and replace them with the scammer's address when users copy and paste addresses, resulting in funds being transferred to the wrong account.
Case Studies
On social platforms like Telegram, clipboard viruses spread through disguised files. Once users download them, the virus runs in the background, and if users perform a transfer operation, they may fall victim.
Countermeasures
Do not download unfamiliar files carelessly.
Carefully verify wallet addresses before transferring.
Regularly update device antivirus software.
3. Signature Scams
Principle
Signature scams utilize Ethereum's eth_sign method to obtain user authorization through off-chain signatures. After users sign, scammers can forge transaction content and directly steal assets.
Case Studies
Scammers induce users to sign seemingly harmless transaction requests, but in reality, users are signing a 'blank check' that the scammers can fill in with any content.
Countermeasures
Handle any off-chain signature requests with caution.
Pay attention to whether warning messages appear on the signature interface.
Use security plugins to filter risky transactions.
4. NFT Airdrop Scams
Principle
Scammers airdrop non-tradable NFTs to users' wallets and induce them to click on high-price purchase links, further implementing authorization phishing or signature scams.
Case Studies
A certain user received a high-value NFT airdrop, clicked the link, and was asked to authorize the contract, resulting in the loss of wallet assets.
Countermeasures
Do not easily believe in 'free lunch' airdrops.
Do not click on NFT related links carelessly.
Remain vigilant towards unfamiliar NFTs.
5. Private Key Leakage Traps
Principle
Scammers intentionally leak private keys or mnemonic phrases of wallets containing a small amount of assets to induce users to transfer gas fees. Once users transfer, the scammers quickly withdraw the funds using bot programs.
Case Studies
A certain user discovered a public mnemonic phrase wallet and attempted to transfer gas fees, but the assets and gas fees in the wallet were instantly stolen.
Countermeasures
Do not attempt to use leaked private keys or mnemonic phrases from others.
Safeguard your own private keys and mnemonic phrases, do not disclose them carelessly.
II. Trends and Developments of Digital Wallet Scams
1. Trend Analysis
Diversification of Scam Forms: From simple phishing links to complex off-chain signatures, scam methods are becoming more covert.
Target User Expansion: Expanding from tech enthusiasts to general users, exploiting their knowledge blind spots regarding blockchain technology.
Technological Upgrades: Such as clipboard viruses and smart contract vulnerability exploitation, showing a highly technical trend.
2. Risk Assessment
Anonymity Risks: The anonymity of blockchain makes tracking and recovering funds extremely difficult.
Insufficient User Education: Many users lack basic security awareness and preventive skills.
Ecosystem Vulnerabilities: Insufficient security audits of decentralized applications provide opportunities for scammers.
III. Future Outlook and Security Recommendations
1. Development Direction of Digital Wallets
Integration of Identity and Assets: Future wallets will integrate digital identity (DID) and asset management functions.
User Experience Optimization: Design a more user-friendly interface to lower the barrier for users.
Enhanced Security Mechanisms: Help users avoid losses through proactive risk identification and alerts.
2. User Safety Recommendations
Enhance Security Awareness: Learn basic blockchain knowledge and understand common scam types.
Separate Asset Storage: Store large assets in cold wallets and only use hot wallets for small transactions.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Activate two-factor authentication for wallets and related accounts.
Use Security Plugins: Such as MetaMask's risk alert plugin to filter suspicious transactions.
IV. Conclusion
Digital wallets, as core tools in the Web3 ecosystem, directly affect the security of user assets. By identifying scam types, understanding their operational principles, and taking effective preventive measures, users can better protect their digital assets. At the same time, the industry should strengthen technological innovation and user education to jointly build a safer blockchain ecosystem.
