{"id":8753,"date":"2021-11-03T17:06:08","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T17:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1371897"},"modified":"2021-11-03T17:06:08","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T17:06:08","slug":"squid-game-more-like-scam-game-a-roundup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=8753","title":{"rendered":"Squid Game? More like Scam Game: A roundup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Squid Game, Neftlix\u2019s sensational survival drama, has officially become the platform\u2019s most watched show ever. And rightfully so. If only I could unwatch it and watch it again from the beginning\u2026<\/p>\n

But Squid Game\u2019s global popularity sadly has a negative side: cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts to scam fans of the show. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are six games in the Squid Game, so we have selected for you the six most prominent related scams. Falling for them won\u2019t cost you your life as in the show, but your money and your personal data will certainly be on the line.<\/p>\n

Red light, green light \u2014 <\/em>let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n

1. The crypto scam<\/h3>\n

A cryptocurrency inspired by the show lured enough investors to see its value rocketing to $2,856<\/a> just a few days after its launch on October 20. In fact, it jumped 310,000%<\/em><\/a> in value last Sunday. <\/span><\/p>\n

And then suddenly on Monday morning, the digital token collapsed after Twitter flagged<\/a> the cryptocurrency\u2019s account and temporarily blocked it due to \u201csuspicious activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

And guess what. The token\u2019s website and social accounts have disappeared.<\/p>\n

According to Gizmodo<\/a>, the scammers behind Squid seem to have made it off with an estimated $3.38 million. Well, that\u2019s not equal to the $38 million (45.6 billion won) the actual Squid Game was offering, but it\u2019s certainly enough for a comfortable life.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the crypto word this type of scam is know as a \u201crug pull\u201d or \u201cpump and dump\u201d scam. It\u2019s basically when a token\u2019s creators abandon a project, cash out the investor\u2019s fund, and\u2026 run away.<\/p>\n

Jake Moore, Cybersecurity Specialist at global cybersecurity firm, ESET<\/a>, told us: <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

So called \u201cpump and dump\u201d cons are usually tied in with the latest trends to attract more attention but this in fact should be the warning needed to alert potential buyers into avoiding them. People need to be mindful of the perils that come with cryptocurrencies and stick to well-reviewed known coins and exchanges.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Squid was presented as a pay-to-play token for an online game based on the show. Naturally the game\u2019s website, SquidGame.cash, has also disappeared. You can find an archived version here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While there were many signs<\/a> that Squid was a scam, unfortunately the frenzy over the show enabled the cybercriminals to get away with some big money.<\/p>\n

2. Joker malware detected in Squid Game app on Google Play<\/h3>\n

The so-called Joker malware is basically a Trojan malware that infiltrates users\u2019 devices through an infected application. It then collects and stores data from the device, and uses them to make premium subscriptions without the users\u2019 knowledge or consent.<\/p>\n

The malware was spotted by Lukas Stefanko, Malware Researcher at ESET, in an application called \u201cSquid Wallpaper 4K HD.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Squid Game themed Android Joker<\/p>\n

1) downloads and executes native lib
2) native lib downloads and executes apk payload<\/p>\n

Running this app on device might result in malicious ad-fraud and\/or unwanted SMS subscription actionshttps:\/\/t.co\/PTDtPlUkBy<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/AFs8gkEuab<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lukas Stefanko (@LukasStefanko) October 19, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Google has removed the app from Play Store, but as Stefanko has also pointed out there are more than 200 Squid Game-related apps, which means an equal number of scam opportunities.<\/p>\n

\n

Over 200 #SquidGame<\/a> related apps are available on Google Play<\/p>\n

Seems like a great opportunity to make money on in-app ads from one of the most popular TV show without official game.
The most downloaded of them reached 1M installs in 10 days. Its game play is not that well handled pic.twitter.com\/gCOYXXaVHY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lukas Stefanko (@LukasStefanko) October 19, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

3. Fraudulent streaming sites<\/h3>\n

Cybersecurity firm Kasperksy<\/a> has also spotted various scams. An example are fake streaming websites that harvest data, or pirated episode downloads packed with malware. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to the company\u2019s report<\/a>, those downloads can install malicious files \u2014 mostly in the form of Trojans \u2014 on Windows systems and even steal passwords or other sensitive information. And in some cases:  <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A shortcut was also created in one of the folders, which could be used to launch the Trojan every time the system was started. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

4. Phishing schemes in fake online games<\/h3>\n

Kaspersky has found several websites that invite visitors to play online versions of the Squid Game in order to \u201cwin\u201d prizes in crypto such as 100 Binance coins (approximately $48,000).<\/p>\n

Yes, Binance that\u2019s still under investigation<\/a>by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service for tax evasion<\/em> and money laundering<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Players are required to sign up, which means to provide personal data, which can result in cybercrimes like identity theft.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Fake Squid Game online stores<\/h3>\n

This is my favorite. As it turns out, there are fraudulent Squid Game merchandize online stores, and the most \u2018successful\u2019 ones are those selling Halloween costumes inspired by the show.<\/p>\n

According to the report:<\/p>\n

\n

Targets end up sharing with cybercriminals their banking and personal identity information since they are asked to provide card details and personal data, including an email address, residence address, and full name.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So again, consumers risk losing their money and turning over personal information.<\/p>\n

6. \u201cSeason two frenzy\u201d scams<\/h3>\n

Another cybersecurity firm, Proofpoint, has warned<\/a> about numerous \u201cseason two\u201d scams. And let\u2019s keep in mind here that neither Netflix, nor the show\u2019s creator Hwang Dong-hyuk have confirmed a second season. <\/span><\/p>\n

Proofpoint reports that thousands of fans, mainly in the US, have been hit with an email asking them to fill out an attached Excel document for access\u2026 to season two. It says:<\/p>\n

\n

Get early access to the new season Squid Game. New storyline, new game, new challenges. Please fill out a short document to gain access. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If the document is downloaded, the device gets infected with a Dridex Trojan virus<\/a> (which mainly targets banking information) and a series of other ransomware and malware.<\/p>\n

And if that\u2019s not enough, there\u2019s another email going round asking people to register their interest to audition <\/em>for the show\u2019s next season. You know what\u2019s coming \u2014 attached is an Excel spreadsheet.<\/p>\n

One word to say for both: phishing.<\/p>\n

\"Squid
<\/i><\/a>The ad of the fake online game that promises 100 Binance coins. Credit: Kaspersky<\/figcaption>