TON Blockchain Faces Increasing Phishing Attacks: SlowMist
Phishing threats against The Open Network (TON), a layer-1 blockchain developed by Telegram, are on the rise. SlowMist, a blockchain security firm, has issued a warning about the escalating attacks on the network, which pose a significant risk to its decentralized applications and millions of users.
Yu Xian, the founder of SlowMist, expressed concern over the recent security breaches on the TON blockchain. Xian noted that as the chain has experienced rapid growth this year, it has become an attractive target for phishing attackers. The vulnerabilities within the TON ecosystem have made it easy for scammers to access message groups, where they use phishing links and bot forms to deceive and steal from unsuspecting users.
“The Telegram ecosystem is too unrestricted, and phishing links and bot forms are being spread through message groups, airdrops, and other deceptive methods to trick users and steal their TON wallets in large quantities,” said Xian.
One particular cause for concern is the increased risk faced by Telegram users with anonymous numbers. These accounts, introduced by Telegram in late 2022, are created without being tied to a SIM card. Xian warned that if these accounts are compromised through phishing attacks, users may lose access to their Telegram accounts. This risk is particularly significant for users who have not enabled additional security measures such as independent passwords or two-step verification.
While the introduction of anonymous numbers was initially seen as a privacy-enhancing feature, it is now clear that it also exposes users to a higher risk of falling victim to phishing attempts.
The warning about the TON phishing attacks is part of a broader trend of vulnerabilities in blockchain-based applications, especially those integrated with messaging platforms like Telegram. For example, Solareum, a Solana-based Telegram trading bot, recently shut down following a security breach that allowed attackers to steal over 2,800 SOL, equivalent to approximately $520,000, from more than 300 Solana users.
In February, Blowfish, a Web3 security company, identified two new Solana drainers capable of sophisticated attacks. Additionally, cryptocurrency security firm Scam Sniffer reported that in 2023, wallet drainers stole $295 million from over 300,000 users, as bad actors continue to employ advanced techniques to steal funds from unsuspecting users.
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