If you are a Metamask user, you may have come across some websites or social media posts that claim to offer you a chance to participate in a Metamask airdrop of its native token called Mask. These sites or posts may look convincing and even use the official Metamask logo and name, but they are actually part of a phishing scam that aims to steal your private keys and funds.
How does the Metamask Check Eligibility for Airdrop scam works?
The scam works by luring you to visit a fake website that looks like the official Metamask site, but has a different domain name. The site will display a message that says:
Metamask – Check Eligibility for Airdrop
Connect Wallet
Don’t miss out on the upcoming $Mask Airdrop – check your wallet eligibility now and secure your free tokens before it’s too late!Step 1. Click the “Connect Wallet” button at the top of the page.
Step 2. Connect to your main MetaMask wallet.
Step 3. Sign a message, once you’ve finished you will be able to check if you’re eligibile for airdrop.Details of the MetaMask Airdrop:
🚨 Attention everyone! The popular crypto wallet, Metamask, has announced an exciting new airdrop of its native token called Mask.
👀 This is a great opportunity to get your hands on some free tokens and join the Metamask community. The airdrop is expected to be highly popular, so you won’t want to miss out!
🎁 The details of the airdrop are as follows: Metamask will be distributing a total of 5 million Mask tokens to eligible wallet holders. To qualify, you must have used Metamask to make at least one transaction since September 2022.
👉 The airdrop will take place in three phases, starting on March 28th and ending on April 7th. The distribution will be based on a snapshot of eligible wallets taken at the beginning of each phase.
💰 The amount of tokens you receive will depend on the number of eligible wallets and the phase you participate in. The earlier you participate, the more tokens you are likely to receive.
🔒 So, what are you waiting for? Make sure you have used Metamask for at least one transaction since September 2022, and get ready to claim your free Mask tokens during the airdrop!
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to join the Metamask community and get some free tokens!
The site will then ask you to connect your Metamask wallet and sign a message. However, this is not a harmless message, but a malicious code that will give the scammers access to your private keys and funds. Once you sign the message, the scammers will be able to drain your wallet and transfer your tokens to their own address.
How to avoid the Metamask Check Eligibility for Airdrop scam?
The first and most important thing to remember is that there is no such thing as a Metamask airdrop. Metamask has not announced any plans to launch its own token or distribute it to its users. Any site or post that claims otherwise is lying and trying to scam you.
The second thing to remember is that you should never sign any message or transaction that you do not understand or trust. Signing a message or transaction with your Metamask wallet is equivalent to giving your signature or PIN code in the real world. It can have serious consequences for your security and privacy. Always double-check the source and content of any message or transaction before signing it.
The third thing to remember is that you should always verify the URL of any website that you visit. Scammers often use domain names that look similar to the official ones, but have slight differences or typos. For example, they may use metamask.io instead of metamask.io, or metamask.com instead of metamask.io. Always make sure that you are on the correct website before entering any information or connecting your wallet.
What to do if you have fallen victim to the Metamask Check Eligibility for Airdrop scam?
If you have already visited one of these fake websites and signed the message with your Metamask wallet, you should act quickly to secure your funds and prevent further damage.
- Disconnect your wallet from the fake website and close the browser tab.
- Change your Metamask password and seed phrase.
- Transfer your funds to a new wallet address that has not been compromised.
- Report the scam website and social media posts to Metamask support and other authorities.
- Warn other users about the scam and educate them on how to avoid it.
Check Your Device for Malware
The Metamask Check Eligibility for Airdrop scams can distribute malware or redirect to other malicious sites, if you suspect your device is infected with malware, you can scan it for free with Malwarebytes. To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
That’s it — your Windows computer is now free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Mac with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Phone with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options.
This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue.
Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step.
Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue.
Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
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Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
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Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
That’s it — your Android device is now free of malicious apps, adware, and browser redirects.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Conclusion
The Metamask Check Eligibility for Airdrop scam is one of the many phishing scams that target crypto users and try to steal their private keys and funds. It is important to be vigilant and cautious when using Metamask or any other web3 wallet, and never trust any offers that seem too good to be true. Always do your research, verify the sources, and protect your security and privacy.
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