QUADRIGA INITIATIVE
CRYPTO WATCHDOG & FRAUD RECOVERY PLATFORM
A COMMUNITY-BASED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT
UNKNOWN
JULY 2020
GLOBAL
MYETHERWALLET
DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS
"MEW (MyEtherWallet) is a free, client-side interface helping you interact with the Ethereum blockchain. Our easy-to-use, open-source platform allows you to generate wallets, interact with smart contracts, and so much more."
"Taylor Manahan and Kosala Hemachandra founded MEW (MyEtherWallet) back in 2015, not long after Ethereum was created."
"Fake and malicious Ethereum MEW MyEtherWallet on GooglePlay store."
"I have to check it before few days ago I see a pop up notification on the Mew Official mobile application to download another mew app. And I downloaded app for checking."
"[I]t's been downloaded more than 200 times already, I'm afraid that someone will really fall for this scam trick as lately, Ethereum wallets numbers are growing and it's the reason why hackers are targeting them to lure crypto enthusiast."
"Rating 4-5 does look fake and is indeed done by the maker of this fake wallet. we must report and mark this application as a malicious application that can steal user data." "Rating reviews can be faked very easy, and even in this forum you can find people that provide similar services."
On July 2nd, 2020, an attacker successfully uploaded a fake version of the MyEtherWallet application into the Google Play store. The fake application was downloaded 200 times. It's unknown if any funds were lost.
HOW COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?
Cryptocurrency users need to always make sure that they are accessing any downloads directly on the official website. Unless infeasible, it's safer to transfer only a small wallet to any newly downloaded software, and wait prior to moving any significant sums over. (Malicious wallet developers typically sweep funds soon after any deposit is made.) Most blockchain updates are backwards compatible. It's a good idea to always ask trusted friends if you receive news of an update. Never make a rushed decision to download any new wallet software. Store most of your funds offline on a hardware wallet or paper copy, with a backup seed phrase, and set up a multi-sig if you have the technical knowledge to do so properly.
[Scam] Fake MEW MyEtherWallet Malicious app (Jan 18)
Is MyEtherwallet Safe to use in 2021? [Security & Safety Info] (Jan 18)
