Warning TON ecosystem targeted by phishing attacks
With the emergence of Telegram’s The Open Network (TON) ecosystem, it comes as no surprise that it has become a prime target for malicious individuals seeking unauthorized access to people’s private information and assets. These individuals have increasingly resorted to various phishing methods to achieve their goals.
Yu Xian, also known as Mr. Cos, the founder of blockchain security firm SlowMist, has recently issued a warning about the growing number of phishing attacks within the TON ecosystem. According to an X post on June 24, phishing links are being circulated in Telegram groups, specifically targeting users’ TON wallets.
Mr. Cos explained that the Telegram ecosystem offers too much freedom, making it easy for phishing links and bot forms to be spread through message groups, airdrops, and other deceptive methods. This allows hackers to lure users and steal their TON wallets in large quantities.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), particularly Anonymous Telegram Numbers, are among the main targets of these hackers. These numbers are similar to mobile phone numbers and are commonly used to create Telegram accounts. If these numbers are phished, it not only compromises the corresponding Telegram account but also puts the user at risk of losing their assets, unless they have enabled Two-Step Verification with an independent password.
It is worth noting that the TON ecosystem has expanded its attack vector with the introduction of Telegram Stars, an in-app digital currency. This currency aims to facilitate the purchase of digital goods and services across all mini-apps on Telegram. Users can acquire Telegram Stars with fiat currency or directly within the TON ecosystem. Additionally, Telegram has partnered with Tether (USDT) to further promote the adoption of crypto assets through the messaging platform. As part of this collaboration, the stablecoin has been launched on the TON blockchain.
Given these developments, it is crucial to exercise caution when dealing with both Tether and the new cryptocurrency within the expanding TON crypto ecosystem. Furthermore, Toncoin, the original token of the ecosystem, currently trades at a price of $7.23. While it has experienced a decline of 7.80% over the week, it has seen a positive growth of 18.63% this month.
