A Warning About Phishing Ads on Google
A recent investigation by SlowMist has revealed the manipulation of Google search results through phishing ads associated with Friend.tech, a decentralized social media platform. This discovery has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Google’s response to review inquiries and the prevalence of deceptive ads.
Please exercise caution when interacting with sponsored ads on Google.
It’s an unfortunate reality that scammers frequently use these paid promotions as a way to deceive and target unsuspecting users. pic.twitter.com/eXZkOEXY1Y
– SlowMist (@SlowMist_Team) October 13, 2023
In a subsequent post by MistTrack, a crypto tracking and compliance platform developed by SlowMist, it was revealed that the stolen funds were transferred to a suspected scam account. The account had amassed over 670 ETH, likely obtained from victims of various scams.
Friend.tech Faces Ongoing Attacks
This is not the first time Friend.tech has experienced security issues. Just three days prior, the platform introduced a two-factor authentication (2FA) feature to combat SIM-swap attacks targeting its users. These attacks have become a persistent problem in the industry.
The 2FA update allows users to enhance their account security by setting up a password in case their mobile carrier or email provider is compromised, as stated in an October 9th post by the app’s development team.
Hot Take: Increased Vigilance Needed to Combat Phishing Ads
The revelation of phishing ads manipulating Google search results serves as a reminder for crypto users to exercise caution when interacting with sponsored ads. Scammers often exploit these paid promotions to deceive unsuspecting individuals. The incident raises questions about Google’s response to review inquiries and their ability to tackle deceptive advertising practices effectively. Friend.tech, the decentralized social media platform, has also faced ongoing attacks, highlighting the importance of implementing strong security measures like two-factor authentication. As the crypto industry continues to evolve, users must remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves from potential scams.
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