[PSA] Don't trust the person you just met on the internet.

[Steamtyme]

If you check this out you'll quickly understand why this topic had to be created. Just open it in a new tab and carry on reading.

So sorry about that, but this is the best way I could think of to jump into this. Don't just go clicking on links willy nilly. I gave the example above so that you could see how easy it is to deceive someone on the forum.


So in all seriousness there can be severe consequences to trusting people on the forum. Some users create accounts with the sole purpose of either trying to infect your device, or even just to Phish your information. So here is my advice for avoiding these traps.

Use the "quote" button to inspect the link yourself. When quoting a post it will reveal the code behind the link, and you can be sure of where it is directing you. This still requires your due diligence when trying to navigate links. Just because you know where it is going doesn't mean it's safe. After you have clicked a link check the address bar to ensure you are where you want to be.

I tend to inspect all low rank members links before clicking because in the past I've seen many suspicious links. It doesn't end at the previous example either. This website has a detailed list of ways people are committing these cybercrimes.

www.phishingscamsthroughlinks.edu

[Steamtyme]

So just to be clear I showed you 3 2 different ways the hyperlink could be disguised to send you somewhere you did not expect. This can be in fun, or end very badly.

This was done in fun and hopefully you learned something as well. The accounts linked... well sort of, are not guilty of anything and the accusation was made in the spirit of teaching.

Please do not ruin it for others, and if you feel like posting about this, just maybe drop a yes or no if you were "taught"

Here is how the above malicious links look:

Code:

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0]this out[/url]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0]www.phishingscamsthroughlinks.edu[/url]

Side not I also discovered you can not use an actual bitcointalk address as the text for the hyperlink, it did not work for me using a thread or profile link.


Added some good additions found from the thread.

Stop the mouse pointer on the link, you will see a small box at the bottom containing the link "It works in Google Chrome, I do not know about the rest of the browsers.".
You should check the link "better to Bookmark it" because there are many people who put fake links "as binace.com or blockchain.io ...etc" to the platforms and then you enter your login info as the official website.
Using two computers may solve many of your problems

In addition to what you and other users suggested, phishers also use "shortened links" in order to hide the destination of each link even further (a lot of newbies fall for such phishing attempts [unfortunately]).
- Solution:

• Copy the shortened link and paste it on a website that provides you the final/destination link (ex. CheckShortURL).

[loicuagio1979]

Your thread is useful and it can help many people to avoid being scammed or stolen. I often check 3 following things to avoid cautious links & attachments:
1. Check senders' IP address via google
2. Check for grammar mistakes or language using or even plagiarism of words/ ideas
3. Check email address

[Falconmytyh123]

Yeah, it's difficult to clean scammers and phishers in internet. But if we smart people we will not falling over into that. This is a education for newbie. We need to check everything first before we start.

[BQ]

Your thread is useful and it can help many people to avoid being scammed or stolen. I often check 3 following things to avoid cautious links & attachments:
1. Check senders' IP address via google
2. Check for grammar mistakes or language using or even plagiarism of words/ ideas
3. Check email address

Where do you mean you'd get the IP? do you mean checking email headers or something?

I also would like to add to OP beyond simply verifying links, it's always worth to use for example the NoScript plugin on your browser

[Awesomus Maximus]

Thanks for reminding me to check the source code. I have to say it is a pretty obvious thing to do, to check the code behind the link before clicking. I admit that i haven't been following your advice in the past. It is a very easy thing to do, I'll have to make it my habit in the future. The worst thing that has happened so far is my computer's CPU activity going through the roof. Yes, the guy was using my CPUs for browser based mining without permission. It could have been much worse, like phishing or what not.

[hugeblack]

Stop the mouse pointer on the link, you will see a small box at the bottom containing the link "It works in Google Chrome, I do not know about the rest of the browsers.".
You should check the link "better to Bookmark it" because there are many people who put fake links "as binace.com or blockchain.io ...etc" to the platforms and then you enter your login info as the official website.
Using two computers may solve many of your problems

[Steamtyme]

I also would like to add to OP beyond simply verifying links, it's always worth to use for example the NoScript plugin on your browser

I've never used it, but at a glance it appears you would lose some of the functionality of the forum at the same time. To each there own though, and if it works for you that's good.

-snip-

Glad it jogged your memory. Always worth taking a second to make sure things are as they appear.

Stop the mouse pointer on the link, you will see a small box at the bottom containing the link "It works in Google Chrome, I do not know about the rest of the browsers.".

Thanks that's something I never really noticed. It comes up on the bottom left like a pop-up.

Seeing it now I remember some of the older browsers having that bar up all the time and it showing there.

[SFR10]

In addition to what you and other users suggested, phishers also use "shortened links" in order to hide the destination of each link even further (a lot of newbies fall for such phishing attempts [unfortunately]).
- Solution:

• Copy the shortened link and paste it on a website that provides you the final/destination link (ex. CheckShortURL).

[mweezy]

Yeah, it's difficult to clean scammers and phishers in internet. But if we smart people we will not falling over into that. This is a education for newbie. We need to check everything first before we start.

I don't think is all about smart but doing research or already be away that there are scammers in cryptocurrency by this when any of us get involve in scam we won't fall Vitim because we are aware of this before so all we need now as newbie is education and well understanding.

[BQ]

I also would like to add to OP beyond simply verifying links, it's always worth to use for example the NoScript plugin on your browser

I've never used it, but at a glance it appears you would lose some of the functionality of the forum at the same time. To each there own though, and if it works for you that's good.

you only need to click the (S) icon in top right and add the url to allowed, try visit some other sites and you'll see how often there's 10-20 different sites running some type of script (advertisement, tracking, maybe mining?) stuff. it's a very useful addon and removes a lot of "risky" elements!

[Steamtyme]

-snip-

Thanks for that addition. This is again something I was unaware of. Did a little google searching and realized this is extremely easy for people to create. I'm going to quote you in the second post, as it's great info.

I also would like to add to OP beyond simply verifying links, it's always worth to use for example the NoScript plugin on your browser

I've never used it, but at a glance it appears you would lose some of the functionality of the forum at the same time. To each there own though, and if it works for you that's good.

you only need to click the (S) icon in top right and add the url to allowed, try visit some other sites and you'll see how often there's 10-20 different sites running some type of script (advertisement, tracking, maybe mining?) stuff. it's a very useful addon and removes a lot of "risky" elements!

Hey there,

Just wanted to take the opportunity to help you with your post formatting. You accidentally deleted the wrong set of "quotes" making my statement look as if you made it, and that you are replying to yourself. It's an easy fix as you can see from my post. Or you can requote it, to leave the name and message tag. Either or. Thanks again for the info and adding to the discussion.

[Korkorjkk]

Most people on the internet are scammers and they pm you to give you links in order to make you trust them. Most people will give you information to decieve you in order for you to trust them so they can scam you.

[darkangel11]

That's a great advice. Just note that clicking on a link doesn't make you vulnerable. Even referrals need you to fill in the information and it's the same with phishing links, fake downloads and so on. Clicking on a link is just the first step that can be the beginning of your journey through pain (if you're not careful), but you can stop this at any point.
IMO the best advice is to be cautious at every step. If any site wants you to create an account or give personal information try it out first with a burner email and a fake name and check if the site you'll be directed to is the real thing. Fake and scammy sites usually don't have the real api behind the facade meant to collect private data.

[florac9]

What a useful thread this is ,this will prevent newbies from falling into the wrong hands ,trusting someone this days is just plain hard.some have bad agenda waiting and looking for someone to prey on.becareful people.