In a troubling turn of events, Friend.tech users have fallen victim to a series of SIM swap attacks, resulting in the theft of over 234 ETH, equivalent to approximately $385,000, within a mere 24-hour span. This alarming breach of security has set the crypto community abuzz, raising serious concerns about the safety of digital assets in an increasingly perilous digital landscape.
What is Happening to Friend.tech?
As reported by on-chain analyst ZachXBT and corroborated by Foresight News, the attacks targeted four unsuspecting Friend.tech users, leaving them reeling from significant financial losses. While the Friend.Tech code itself remained unscathed, the attackers employed the nefarious SIM swap technique to gain unauthorized access to the victims’ accounts, making off with substantial sums of Ethereum.
The modus operandi behind SIM swap attacks is as insidious as it is commonplace. Criminals manipulate service providers to redirect a mobile phone number to a SIM card under their control, effectively hijacking the victim’s identity. Once in possession of the compromised phone, the perpetrators can exploit two-factor authentication codes, gaining unrestricted access to user accounts.
Victims of the Friend.tech Hack
Two Friend.tech users have come forward, sharing their harrowing experiences of losing substantial amounts of ETH to these unscrupulous attackers. In one case, a user known as @darengb fell victim to a SIM swap, resulting in the loss of 22 ETH. Shockingly, the attackers not only siphoned funds but also sold off the victim’s private keys, further compounding the financial damage.
Another user, “froggie.eth,” reported a similar incident, losing over 20 ETH after their Friend.tech account was compromised through a SIM swap. The attackers had inundated the victim’s phone with spam calls, a sinister tactic designed to divert attention away from crucial alerts from their service provider.
Adding to the distressing pattern of attacks, musician Daren Broxmeyer, also known as “darengb,” was robbed of 22 ETH. This disturbing spree of SIM swap attacks highlights the vulnerability of Friend.tech users and underscores the urgency of bolstering security measures on the platform.
What is Friend.tech?
Friend.Tech has emerged as a rising star in the crypto world, boasting rapid growth and popularity, with over 100,000 users in just under two weeks. However, this meteoric rise has come hand in hand with security risks that could jeopardize its future. While suggestions for enhanced security features like two-factor authentication (2FA) is circulating, the onus is on the platform to prioritize safeguarding its users’ valuable digital assets.
Eran Karpen, Co-Founder and CTO at Unplugged, emphasized the importance of robust security measures, particularly for accounts holding significant digital assets. He highlighted the vulnerability of SMS-based 2FA and recommended transitioning to authenticator apps for heightened protection.
Furthermore, an alternative solution proposed involves using a secondary “secret” SIM for 2FA, effectively decoupling valuable accounts from publicly known phone numbers. This innovative approach could thwart potential attackers and safeguard users from SIM swap exploits.
While the Friend.tech community grapples with the aftermath of these devastating attacks, it becomes evident that the crypto space must remain vigilant and proactive in fortifying defenses against such threats. With the stakes higher than ever, the battle to secure digital assets rages on, reminding us of the paramount importance of safeguarding our crypto holdings in an increasingly perilous digital world.
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