Beware of ‘cracked’ TradingView — it’s a crypto-stealing trojan

[_act_]

This is happening on Reddit but it can happen on other online social places. The malware is designed for both Windows and Mac users. It is a fake free version of TradingView Premium on Reddit.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has warned of a new form of crypto-stealing malware hidden inside a “cracked” version of TradingView Premium, software that provides charting tools for financial markets.

The scammers are lurking on crypto subreddits, posting links to Windows and Mac installers for “TradingView Premium Cracked,” which is laced with malware aimed at stealing personal data and draining crypto wallets, Jerome Segura, a senior security researcher at Malwarebytes, said in a March 18 blog post.

“We have heard of victims whose crypto wallets had been emptied and were subsequently impersonated by the criminals who sent phishing links to their contacts,” he added.

Hackers are always looking for new ways to scam. Even if there is free version of TradingView Premium, the best is to go to TradingView website to download it and not trust on any other source.

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

[Perfectbaby]

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

Those who has been around the crypto space should be aware how the industry and how scammers are lurking around the space thinking of all possibilities to scam or hack people of their good funds. To me, what ever I download is from the right source and if not verify from fewer friends I wouldn't have that downloading on my PC. Anyway, thanks for sharing and I believe this would help lot of people over here.

[ABCbits]

Hackers are always looking for new ways to scam.

Actually sharing malware through "cracked" program is very common approach. But it's still effective today since there's no easy way to know whether it's real or not. Although i wish people know that cracking software that heavily rely on server is more likely to be fake.

[SquirrelJulietGarden]

This is happening on Reddit but it can happen on other online social places. The malware is designed for both Windows and Mac users. It is a fake free version of TradingView Premium on Reddit.

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

There are many fake advertisements on Facebook like Binance desktop app, Remitano desktop app, Bybit desktop app, OKX desktop app and I honestly with you, I did many reports to Facebook but I was disappointed by results. Facebook after about 1 week, gave me results that they won't remove or ban those advertisements, and this shows how Facebook is a shit platform now and even recent years.

It's easily for a big corporation like Meta and Facebook to check and verify legitimacy of those phishing domain links. It's definitely very easy for them to know those applications of most famous cryptocurrency exchanges are phishing links, but they refused to remove and ban those ads.

Let's ask why?
Money.

As users we only can prepare ourselves with knowledge and be careful with our practice online.

[DYING_S0UL]

That's why we should refrain from using cracked software if possible. And even if we do, we must separate our daily workspace from our financial workspaces, so that we don't suffer any economical damage. I too, have been using cracked Adobe software (After effect, illustrator, Photoshop) for many months now and never faced any malware (personally I don't recommend doing this). Note that not everyone can afford to buy these stuff. I understand the risks, so while using these I had separated my workspace!

If a person is not sure of it then he shouldn't install it, even better don't think of downloading it. 99% of the times, whenever a person searches in google "cracked software_name year", they end up with viruses. We should only download things from the official sites or the sources we trust.

Hackers are always looking for new ways to scam.

Actually sharing malware through "cracked" program is very common approach. But it's still effective today since there's no easy way to know whether it's real or not. Although i wish people know that cracking software that heavily rely on server is more likely to be fake.

As far as I know, server sided software cannot be cracked. Even if they manage somehow, they need to set up a dummy server to pass the verification (I can be wrong though).

[SquirrelJulietGarden]

That's why we should refrain from using cracked software if possible. And even if we do, we must separate our daily workspace from our financial workspaces, so that we don't suffer any economical damage. I too, have been using cracked Adobe software (After effect, illustrator, Photoshop) for many months now and never faced any malware (personally I don't recommend doing this). Note that not everyone can afford to buy these stuff. I understand the risks, so while using these I had separated my workspace!

Before I joined cryptocurrency, I used cracked softwares but when I joined this market, and realized importance of security on my devices and safety of my fund, I no longer used cracked softwares.

It's security practice and I also reduce my curiosity and demand to use softwares, applications as most as possible. If you can not spend money to purchase official softwares, just don't let your curiosity putting your devices and money at very high risk. It does not worth to try like this, curiosity does not help you gaining money but draining your fund.

Purchase and use Antivirus or Internet Security software is good, but remember your habits with your devices, browsers online and offline are first layer of protection.

[Doan9269]

This is happening on Reddit but it can happen on other online social places. The malware is designed for both Windows and Mac users. It is a fake free version of TradingView Premium on Reddit.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has warned of a new form of crypto-stealing malware hidden inside a “cracked” version of TradingView Premium, software that provides charting tools for financial markets.

The scammers are lurking on crypto subreddits, posting links to Windows and Mac installers for “TradingView Premium Cracked,” which is laced with malware aimed at stealing personal data and draining crypto wallets, Jerome Segura, a senior security researcher at Malwarebytes, said in a March 18 blog post.

“We have heard of victims whose crypto wallets had been emptied and were subsequently impersonated by the criminals who sent phishing links to their contacts,” he added.

Hackers are always looking for new ways to scam. Even if there is free version of TradingView Premium, the best is to go to TradingView website to download it and not trust on any other source.

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

People also like cheap things and if possible to bye cut the normal procedures, we all know that to get the package of anything, we must sign into the premium package subscription and this does not have anything to do with trying to skip the normal process, but scammers already knew that some will be eager on doing so, then they will now make use of a particular social media platform to announce non having a pirated version as they called it cracked version of the original intended package or subscription, just because they wanted to take such as an avenue to introduce a malware to us that will serve as threat whenever we start using it, we should learn to pay of what is valuable and trusted than when they are not reliable and coming cheap.

[albon]

TradingView's Premium subscription costs $49.95 monthly and $599.40 annually, offering many features that will greatly assist traders in their trades. However, those who intend to use these helpful features must be willing to spend some money for them instead of searching for a cracked version.

Furthermore, once installed on the computer , a cracked program can steal all the user's important data and iinformation, stealing their assets especially if the computer is the primary device where wallets are installed and exchange websites are actively used. Therefore, it is not recommended at all, whether the cracked program is designed for TradingView or any other program... If someone insists on trying such software, they should consider running it in an isolated environment, such as a Sandbox, or on a computer that does not contain any sensitive information.

[Taskford]

This is happening on Reddit but it can happen on other online social places. The malware is designed for both Windows and Mac users. It is a fake free version of TradingView Premium on Reddit.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has warned of a new form of crypto-stealing malware hidden inside a “cracked” version of TradingView Premium, software that provides charting tools for financial markets.

The scammers are lurking on crypto subreddits, posting links to Windows and Mac installers for “TradingView Premium Cracked,” which is laced with malware aimed at stealing personal data and draining crypto wallets, Jerome Segura, a senior security researcher at Malwarebytes, said in a March 18 blog post.

“We have heard of victims whose crypto wallets had been emptied and were subsequently impersonated by the criminals who sent phishing links to their contacts,” he added.

Hackers are always looking for new ways to scam. Even if there is free version of TradingView Premium, the best is to go to TradingView website to download it and not trust on any other source.

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

This one indicate that people should stop entertaining or grab crack version of software's because hackers now are doing crazy stuffs with those material just to stole something from their potential victims.

Aside from that malware maybe people could learn something if they read this https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/cybersecurity-101/ransomware/ransomware-examples/

People should erase those those thoughts saving money and using crack version. If they really want that app they better buy the original version to make sure that they are safe and away from any hacking.

[Peanutswar]

There's is no free today, others keep using crack softer to make access the features of it without paying which is not safe at all, there's no program that you can use for free but in reality there's a payment that's the time there's a possible exchange on it which is your information and data, even worst is your access to your accounts. Now if you think that using trading view is an efficient way to you with your trading journey I guess its not just hard to pay it in a legal way because it contributes to your income but if you are just using that for a casual trade and you are using basic tools they are offering their platform for free but in a limited options. As possible don't use crack software respect to the developers too who created that and would like to publish in a legal way.

[BenCodie]

Downloading a cracked version of a desktop app that is not software but a desktop version of an online app? Not to mention, a subscription/app that works on subscription, not by licensing keys?

I suppose knowing the latter isn't standard for all but I would guess that if someone lost crypto to this, it would not be long before they lost it to another type of scam.

[bittraffic]

Downloading a cracked version of a desktop app that is not software but a desktop version of an online app? Not to mention, a subscription/app that works on subscription, not by licensing keys?

I suppose knowing the latter isn't standard for all but I would guess that if someone lost crypto to this, it would not be long before they lost it to another type of scam.

The cracked desktop app offers variety of tool useful for trading and users will not have to spend subscription fee. Of course its enticing especially for someone who haven't tried some other tools along with their favorite indicators in the charts.

I think I will also try it out if I just knew it as well but connecting my exchange account to this app is not a good idea. Even the real tradingview that I access online, I don't connect my exchange account to it.

[Mpamaegbu]

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

This is an absolute way of preventing malware but most people seem to be in a hurry to bookmark whatever sites they use. I've developed that pattern of always opening links from original links, even if I want to assess such on a device I don't have them on, I make sure to copy the links from the old device and send to the new device; instead of doing a random search online. Yes, it consumes time but it's better safe than sorry.

[Hatchy]

~snip
 

Yea, not something new. I know of different sites that offers these cracked softwares and since it's free most people just install it on their devices without considering the possibility of Trojans and malwares being installed on their devices. The worst part is that these softwares sometimes can bypass your windows defense system.

While some will ask you to disable your windows defense before installation. I think we should be very careful not installing such on our devices. If you need a software so bad, the why not pay for it and be free from threats that can ruin you.

[BitMaxz]

Honestly, I was looking for a crack version of TradingView or a premium account a month ago because the trial version of my account is already expired, but I am aware of possible trojans or malware on the crack version. I don't have any important things on my PC, so it's fine having these crack versions. However, most of these crack versions seem do not work well as the premium version; it still has some limited features, like using the old data to use for replay and to test your trading skills.

So it still useless if you are looking for any of these crack versions, except if someone gives you free access to their premium accounts via cookies.

I just tried to search today; it seems someone promoting a new crack version on Reddit posted 3 days ago. It's not safe to use if you have important things on your PC.

[DYING_S0UL]

Yea, not something new. I know of different sites that offers these cracked softwares and since it's free most people just install it on their devices without considering the possibility of Trojans and malwares being installed on their devices. The worst part is that these softwares sometimes can bypass your windows defense system.

While some will ask you to disable your windows defense before installation. I think we should be very careful not installing such on our devices. If you need a software so bad, the why not pay for it and be free from threats that can ruin you.

Windows defense system?

I consider windows defender as one of the worst antivirus software. You would get infected even with the defender on. Even worst, sometimes it is incompetent at removing the malwares.
It's better to use just separate devices. For example, one for daily use (doesn't matter if gets infected, I can just format data and start over). And one for financial use (will not use this device regularly but for only when absolutely needed). This way we can slim out our chances of getting compromised and suffering loses.

[Rruchi man]

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

Some people are already used to the habit of downloading free versions of applications from unknown sources, sources that the company cannot verify. When these people become traders, or people with an interest in trading, and become exposed to TradingView, it then becomes difficult to ignore when they see a free version that is premium. They will be enticed, thinking that with the premium version, their technical analytical skills will be more accurate using the numerous indicators they will have at their disposal. It is a lie.

There are still many successful traders using the free and limited version of TradingView, and are making profit still.

[EL MOHA]

Windows defense system?

I consider windows defender as one of the worst antivirus software. You would get infected even with the defender on. Even worst, sometimes it is incompetent at removing the malwares.
It's better to use just separate devices. For example, one for daily use (doesn't matter if gets infected, I can just format data and start over). And one for financial use (will not use this device regularly but for only when absolutely needed). This way we can slim out our chances of getting compromised and suffering loses.

I wouldn’t say don’t have windows defender, in fact I usually tell people to make sure they are updated but should this be trusted, I say base on proves that it shouldn’t be. Windows defender are weak when trying to detect malware’s, even antivirus aren’t advice to be trusted. When people argue about its effectiveness I usually say to then is the windows the most vulnerable OS out there. I recently saw a new Trojan has been discovered by them targeting extension wallets on chrome extension and many of the advices I saw was the use of windows defender which I think in my opinion should be least of security for any crypto enthusiast.

Computer or devices used for personal use like surfing the net and it’s like should be separated from that of crypto or related stuffs, I have found people creating multiple users on their device and switching between them as one is for personal use I am not sure how safe this is but it’s better to keep your crypto device off having numerous applications not to talk of cracked apps

[btcltcdigger]

Hackers are always looking for new ways to scam. Even if there is free version of TradingView Premium, the best is to go to TradingView website to download it and not trust on any other source.

Downloading from unknown sources is an easy means to download malware on your device.

This is why you only download from trusted sources. I know it's easier said than done, but if you're viggilant enough, you should have no problem
Anything "cracked" or "free" is a potential security risk, keep that in mind

[Alphakilo]

Those who has been around the crypto space should be aware how the industry and how scammers are lurking around the space thinking of all possibilities to scam or hack people of their good funds. To me, what ever I download is from the right source and if not verify from fewer friends I wouldn't have that downloading on my PC. Anyway, thanks for sharing and I believe this would help lot of people over here.

Scammers will continue to increase in their number and the victims will be many.

I have observed that the scamming in the crypto space is like a billion dollar industry of its own. And it is thriving.

Anything "cracked" or "free" is a potential security risk, keep that in mind

At this time anything "cracked" or "free" in the crypto space has a sinister motive behind it. It is screaming malware! malware!! already.