When two of crypto’s most trusted platforms, CoinMarketCap and Cointelegraph, were breached to serve phishing pop-ups, the industry was reminded just how crafty scammers have become. These recent attacks didn’t just target newcomers. Even seasoned users found themselves facing slick, official-looking wallet prompts and fake airdrop offers, disguised on sites they visit every day. If you’re exploring crypto onboarding or want to help friends and family get started safely, these incidents are a wake-up call: crypto onboarding security is more vital than ever.
What Happened? The Anatomy of the CoinMarketCap and Cointelegraph Phishing Attacks
Over the past week, both CoinMarketCap and Cointelegraph were hit by sophisticated front-end compromises. Attackers injected malicious code that displayed pop-ups urging users to connect their wallets or claim massive token “airdrops. ” For example, Cointelegraph’s breach featured a window promising $275, 000 in “CTG” tokens, a sum too tempting for many to ignore.
The real danger was in the details: these pop-ups looked nearly identical to legitimate wallet connection prompts, tricking users into exposing their private keys or authorizing malicious transactions. As reported by several sources, including CryptoSlate and Help Net Security, these attacks mark an uptick in ad-based scams that exploit trust in established brands.
Why Secure Onboarding Matters More Than Ever
If scammers can compromise even top-tier platforms, what hope does the average user have? The answer lies in education and adopting best practices from day one. Secure onboarding isn’t just about checking boxes, it’s about building habits that protect your assets every time you interact with crypto services.
The best defense is knowing what to look for and how to respond when something seems off. Based on lessons from these high-profile breaches, here are three actionable security tips that every new (and even intermediate) crypto user should follow during onboarding:
Top 3 Security Tips for Safe Crypto Onboarding
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Never interact with pop-ups or wallet connection prompts on crypto news and data sites—always access your wallet directly through its official app or extension. Attackers often use fake pop-ups, as seen in the CoinMarketCap and Cointelegraph breaches, to trick users into connecting wallets or revealing sensitive information. Stick to trusted wallet interfaces like MetaMask or Ledger Live for all wallet actions.
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Verify website authenticity before entering sensitive information: check the URL for HTTPS, look for typos, and avoid clicking on links from emails or social media claiming to be from trusted crypto services. Phishing sites often mimic real platforms—always access sites like CoinMarketCap or Cointelegraph by typing the address directly into your browser.
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Use non-custodial wallets with hardware support for onboarding and always double-check wallet addresses and permissions before confirming any transaction. Devices like the Ledger Nano X or Trezor Model T provide extra protection against unauthorized access and phishing attempts.
Your First Line of Defense: Actionable Security Tips
1. Never interact with pop-ups or wallet connection prompts on crypto news and data sites, always access your wallet directly through its official app or extension.
This tip might sound simple, but it’s powerful. Even if you’re reading breaking news or tracking prices on trusted sites like CoinMarketCap or Cointelegraph, never connect your wallet via an unexpected prompt or banner. Instead, if you need to check your balance or make a transaction, open your wallet app directly, don’t rely on third-party sites’ embedded widgets.
2. Verify website authenticity before entering sensitive information: check the URL for HTTPS, look for typos, and avoid clicking on links from emails or social media claiming to be from trusted crypto services.
This classic advice is more relevant than ever with phishing attacks getting more sophisticated. Make it a habit to type URLs manually (or use bookmarks), double-check for secure connections (look for HTTPS), and scrutinize spelling errors in web addresses before entering any personal data.
3. Use non-custodial wallets with hardware support for onboarding and always double-check wallet addresses and permissions before confirming any transaction.
A non-custodial wallet gives you full control over your private keys, which means you’re not relying on third parties who could be compromised. For maximum safety during onboarding (and beyond), consider hardware wallets that keep your keys offline. And never rush through transaction approvals; always review addresses and permissions carefully before clicking confirm.
The Human Element: Why These Attacks Work
Phishing isn’t just about technology, it preys on human trust and curiosity. When a site you visit daily suddenly offers free tokens or requests urgent action via a familiar-looking popup, it’s easy to let your guard down. That’s why building strong habits around verification and direct access is so crucial, not just once but every single time you interact with crypto platforms.
It’s important to remember that these attacks are designed to exploit moments when users are distracted, excited, or simply in a hurry, like when seeing an unexpected airdrop worth $275, 000 in “CTG” tokens flash across your screen. The best scammers don’t just mimic design, they mimic urgency and opportunity. Staying calm and methodical is your superpower.
How to Stay Safe: Practical Steps for Every User
Let’s break down how you can put these security tips into action as part of your daily crypto routine:
3 Essential Tips to Avoid Crypto Phishing Attacks
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Never interact with pop-ups or wallet connection prompts on crypto news and data sites—always access your wallet directly through its official app or extension. Phishing pop-ups can appear even on trusted sites like CoinMarketCap and Cointelegraph, so stay vigilant and use only official wallet channels.
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Verify website authenticity before entering sensitive information: check the URL for HTTPS, look for typos, and avoid clicking on links from emails or social media claiming to be from trusted crypto services. Always type the official website address directly into your browser to reduce risk.
By making these steps second nature, you’ll dramatically reduce your risk, not just from headline-grabbing breaches like those at CoinMarketCap and Cointelegraph, but from the countless lower-profile scams that target users every day.
Tools That Empower: Non-Custodial Wallets with Hardware Support
If you’re new to crypto onboarding or helping someone get started, choosing a non-custodial wallet with hardware support is one of the smartest moves you can make. These wallets put control (and responsibility) squarely in your hands. Hardware wallets keep private keys offline, making it nearly impossible for pop-ups or browser-based malware to access them. Always double-check wallet addresses and permissions before confirming transactions; a few extra seconds can save you from disaster.
Curious about how hardware wallets work? Here’s a helpful visual walk-through:
Crypto Onboarding Security Isn’t Optional Anymore
The breaches at CoinMarketCap and Cointelegraph prove that even the biggest names can fall victim to sophisticated exploits. But with strong onboarding habits, never interacting with pop-ups, verifying URLs, and using secure wallets, you can outsmart most phishing attempts before they even start.
Tip: Bookmark the official websites of your favorite crypto tools and use those bookmarks every time. This simple habit helps you avoid typo-squatting scams and malicious ad redirects.
The world of crypto moves fast, but safety should never be rushed. Take the time to educate yourself and others, especially as more people enter the space looking for opportunity. The more we share knowledge about real-world incidents like these hacks, the stronger our community becomes against future threats.