They just added the word “-desktop” to the original Binance URL, but if you don’t look closely, you could easily fall for the scam, especially when it’s promoted on social media or YouTube in a way that looks enticing. My suggestion is to always bookmark the official Binance website to avoid any confusion that could end up being costly.
Binance also released a warning about phishing websites like this, which you can check out below.
How to Identify URL Spoof Phishing Examples of Phishing SitesRight, they just added a desktop word on it and that's what scammers do. They use the origin word and make gullible people believe that they're the real one. I'll edit the OP and add those links.
Beware of 99% of apps/websites being promoted on Facebook and other social media, as there's a very high chance of scams.
If a product enticed you through an ad, find the product manually through Google or social media search; don't click on the ad.
Yup, thanks for that tip and welcome back.
Binance does have a legitimate desktop app, although I’m not sure why anybody would use it instead of the website. They don’t provide a signature for their official desktop apps so people could end up in a situation where they do a google search for "Binance desktop app" and accidentally end up on a phishing site and won’t know they are installing malware until it is too late.
Their users only have to visit their official website and that's it. But there's still a risk on this one when no one will notice that someone, a hacker would change the downloadable file into theirs, this has happened from other services that users even visited the official one and yet, the devs and admins didn't noticed it was replaced. Although for the likes of Binance, this is unlikely and little chance, it's still best to visit the official link.
Man!! this site looks genuine. Anyone who isn't careful enough will surely fall for this kind of phishing sites. Because it's easy to post any links through social media, scammers are using it. Another thing I have noticed, whenever you google search any exchanges like Binance, Kucoin, or Bybit etc, the search result always shows sponsored site at first and then the original site, which I searched for. These so called sponsored sites aren't always the real ones. Better be careful...
Yeah, looks genuine and a newbie is likely to fall on it. Whoever sees that ad might believe that they're actually from Binance but with the name of the page, they seem slipped on that.
The proliferation of these fake crypto desktop app in my estimation is due to the airdrops that have been on the rise. And Binance has been at the forefront of listing some of these tokens. Those who have participated in the tasks of these airdrops and are eager to get their rewards will definitely fall victims to fake app. tabas, I am sure that if you carry out more investigations, you will find out there other fake exchange desktop app because it cannot just Binance.
I agree that there will be more to it, actually I am just casually browsing and seen it on my feed and there's a lot more you're right because some ICO has also shown in my feed, I'll post that soon as well. And with the potential victims of it you're right with it too, they're the active ones that participates in the airdrops and those that don't have time to check if they're downloading a real one or not.
This looks like something that a newbie of me can never fall for, simply because it is too obvious, that link isn't Binance official link, even if a Binance desktop wallet exists that should be available on Binance website included with the mobile app too but newbies are main target for this because they are too stupid to realize the difference so I am not going to say that this warning isn't necessary.
You're no longer a newbie because you've found the obvious. But sadly, even if we can avoid these fake websites and apps there goes the real newbies that are likely to fall for it. That's why if there's a way to educate them, even with your friends, please do.
After finding and checking to confirm their exchange website link, get download link officially from their websites.
Yes, verifying and checking the official link as always. The rest that has the same word of its service are copycats and fake.
Some people will not listen. It is as simple as download the Binance app from the official website. All exchanges also works like that. If you access the exchanges on the web, you will see where you can download their apps when you are about to login. All these are easy to avoid but some people are just novice.
Yeah, easy for us to avoid but we're not the target of this but the beginners. These scammers will come to them at any means because they know that some will still fall for this trap.
There have been fake Binance desktop applications appearing recently. They may look legitimate but are designed to steal personal information and funds. Always download the app only from the official Binance website and check the URLs. Protect your accounts by using two-factor authentication and avoid suspicious links.
This applies not only to Binance but also to all other exchanges and wallets.
That's right, add always 2FA. Whether you use Binance or any exchange for trading always activate the 2FA and don't put all of that funds in there stock as if being used as a wallet.
'Desktop App' yet the advertising image of the Scam shows very clearly a Google Chrome tab open with the Binance website on it and it is not even promoted by a fake Binance account. It can not be more clear than this that it is a Scam. This is the type of Scam only Newbies and non technical Computer users would fall for. And these are the same people who likely believe that it must be real and legitimate since it is on the Internet..
It's pretty sad that even the name of the page is technically from an unknown source but they know that there will be newbies that will likely fall for it. And when that page and post are reported, they'll make a new one. I hope that these social media will be strict on which pages they'll allow to advertise but then, it's all about the money as long as they pay they will approve these ads.
Since Binance browser is banned in the Philippines surely it will help us too to identify fake binance desktop apps since we cant access this one.
While there are some newbies that would still like to access them, bypassing through VPNs if they are persistent as the promised "0% fee" looks interesting to them.
I think you should be more careful with crypto ads and not click on any sub-link especially those that lead to downloading files, YouTube or Facebook do not have strict conditions and many of these ads are support for fraud.
Exactly, they don't filter them out on who's using them to advertise. And thanks for the reminder, I'd be more careful next time.
Thanks for this, I have just scrolled on my facebook and I thought I could have seen this kind of ads? Not sure, but I have to go back and check, but what caught my attention is that it's very similar interface that is showing in my feed.
Yeah, I heard that Binance is ban from the Philippines but there are still Filipinos that I known of who are trying to access with VPN.
Anyhow, thanks for this warning and hopefully no one will fall for this trick.
You're welcome, the technique of these cons is they're quickly changing the page asap if someone reports it and that's why you are not seeing this kind of ad. And if you try so, you're likely to get into the algorithm of these ads and soon likely ads will be visible to you.
Social media is the worst place to get or download anything related to cryptocurrency, there are so many scam ads on facebook, YouTube and the others. I wonder if the people who fall for these scams are new to crypto and they don't have any involvement prior to clicking such links, i say so because if you are in the crypto industry, you should know where to get legitimate information and also know where you should and should not download things from.
It's a mix type of people, newbies and some quite old in the industry that have loosened their guards being too comfortable. The same goes for messaging apps like Telegram which it is also rampant.
Everyone should remember that you can download such applications only from the official website. At the same time, you need to visit the exchange's website only from your bookmarks in the browser. You should take responsibility for your safety.
That's another tip, bookmark the websites that we always use. We should do it as an etiquette to avoid being at risk.
My problem is with these ADs and how the company behind these ads never vets what they are promoting. They accept anything and promote it without considering how some people, especially those new on the internet and very naive, can be affected.
Because there is already knowledge that ads are not always legit and that some ads can actually lead you to scam platforms, there should be caution on your side. You should not trust whatever pop-up ad you see. Download apps from official websites or the App Store.
It's all about the money. They wouldn't mind filtering it for the cause of those potential victims. All they are is for the profit and if they want to, these slipped ads can be monitored and removed asap. They're good with those violations about copyright infringers but with consumers protection from these scammers, they are so slacked of.
Thanks for sharing this. I personally would never install any Exchange's desktop app for many reasons. Most of them do not even do a vulnerability test before launching the apps. Most of these apps of the exchanges are created using JavaScript which the codebase is used for Mobile, Tablet, Desktop and Web versions which make them very unsafe to use. You should always use the Mobile App or directly login using browser.
You're welcome. I agree, if the exchange is accessible through their website. I'd do that favor for myself and being more careful, it's best to avoid installing any app from them. Coming from wallets, to these desktop apps and other resources that could be a gateway for the hackers.
As we can see, scammers always weave their malicious game by placing tempting offers and eye-catching names for profit or linking to celebrities, which may push any beginner to try what they publish in the hope of recovering from trading fees and the like. It is worth noting that everyone has previously warned against these fraudulent ads containing malicious software and dangerous phishing links. They simply impersonate Binance's brand name/logo or any CEX and exploit it to promote their scams. Binance has previously warned about this matter through the following announcement: '
How to Protect Your Assets From Fake App Scams'
It is worth noting that the phishing domain is inactive, and it seems to have been taken down. However, they may return with other domains, so it is advisable to install an ad blocker and the Detect Phishing Sites extension, in addition to being cautious about social media.
I think most exchanges are giving warnings for attacks like this. But even if they have given that reminder for so many times, still, there will be those few who fall for it. You're right, very likely once reported and taken down, they'll come out again with a newer domain and name.
