Imagine logging onto X and seeing Spider-Man himself promoting a new crypto token. Sounds exciting, right? Well, hold on to your web-shooters! Recently, Tom Holland’s X account was compromised, and hackers used it to promote a crypto scam. This incident highlights the growing trend of bad actors exploiting celebrity accounts to lure unsuspecting investors into fraudulent schemes. Let’s dive into what happened and how you can protect yourself.
Tom Holland’s X Account Hacked: The Spider-Verse Crypto Scam
On April 16th, Tom Holland’s X account, boasting a massive 7 million followers, was hijacked. The hackers announced a fake partnership with Binance to launch a Spider-Verse-themed crypto token. The now-deleted tweet urged fans to register for early access to the ‘$SPIDER’ token and Spiderverse NFTs via a suspicious link: “spider verse.app”. To further legitimize the scam, the link was also added to Holland’s bio. Given Holland’s previous lack of crypto endorsements, many users were understandably confused.
Marvel Confirms the Hack
To clear up the confusion, Marvel officially confirmed that Holland’s account was indeed hacked and that he had no involvement with the fraudulent post.
Marvel Confirmed that Tom Holland’s X account was hacked to exploit his followers via crypto scam. https://t.co/oMGjJgK1Jb
— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) April 17, 2024
A Growing Trend: Celebrity Crypto Scams
Unfortunately, Holland’s case is not isolated. Hackers frequently target high-profile accounts to promote crypto scams. Why? Because celebrity endorsements, even fake ones, can significantly influence investment decisions.
Examples of Previous Hacks
- Mandiant (January): Hackers compromised the cybersecurity firm’s X account and promoted fake crypto investment opportunities, leading to approximately $900,000 in digital assets being stolen via a crypto drainer.
- Activision Blizzard (Last Month): The gaming giant’s account was used to promote a meme coin on the Solana ecosystem, falsely presented as an official token launch.
- Vitalik Buterin (Last Year): The Ethereum co-founder’s X account was hacked to promote “free” NFTs as part of a fake “Proto-Danksharding” celebration.
How to Protect Yourself from Crypto Scams on Social Media
So, how can you avoid falling victim to these scams? Here are some crucial steps:
- Be Skeptical: Always question unexpected crypto endorsements from celebrities, especially if they have no prior history with crypto.
- Verify Information: Double-check any crypto project promoted on social media through official sources, such as the project’s website or reputable crypto news outlets.
- Never Click Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on links in tweets or bios that seem too good to be true. Always type the address directly into your browser.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Secure your own social media accounts with 2FA to prevent unauthorized access.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you see a suspicious post or account, report it to the social media platform immediately.
See Also: Apple Users, Disable iMessages ASAP To Avoid Losing Your Crypto To Zero-Day Exploit: Trust Wallet
The Takeaway: Stay Vigilant!
The Tom Holland X account hack serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of crypto scams on social media. By staying informed, practicing skepticism, and taking proactive security measures, you can protect yourself from these malicious schemes and keep your crypto investments safe.
#Binance #WRITE2EARN
Disclaimer: The information provided is not trading advice, Bitcoinworld.co.in holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.