Security in TON and Telegram: How Not to Fall into a Trap
The internet is no longer a safe playground. Where digital assets move, the stakes are higher, and the attacks are sharper. It’s not just money at stake—your data, accounts, and even reputation could be on the line. Scammers evolve at lightning speed, fine-tuning their schemes to keep up with new technologies. Today, their tricks are more cunning than ever. Let's break down the traps they set and how to sidestep them.
The Fragile Line of Trust: Telegram as a Weapon for Scammers
Telegram is the beating heart of the crypto community. It’s where people find like-minded investors, share insider tips, and join high-potential projects. But trust is the easiest currency to manipulate. The most dangerous scams begin with the simplest bait: messages from "support teams," announcements of free token giveaways, or invitations to "exclusive investor" groups.
A single wrong click—and your account is hijacked. Phishing attacks in Telegram have leveled up: scammers now create fake websites that look exactly like official TON platforms, crypto exchanges, and wallets. Their goal? To extract your seed phrase, password, or trick you into logging in through a malicious script. A single login with a connected wallet—and your assets are gone for good.
How to protect yourself? Two-factor authentication (2FA) is your first shield. It adds an extra security layer, demanding a second verification code whenever you log in from a new device—making hacking nearly impossible, even if someone has your password.
To enable 2FA in Telegram, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Two-Step Verification, set a strong password, and link a backup email. Write it down somewhere safe—without it, recovering your account will be a nightmare.
The second layer of protection? Never act on impulse. Always verify senders, manually enter website addresses, and avoid clicking suspicious links. And most importantly, use only trusted wallets like Tonkeeper or MyTonWallet. These are officially supported and offer an extra layer of security for your funds.
The Airdrop Trap: Free Tokens That Could Cost You Everything
Fake airdrops are a scam classic. The message sounds tempting: "TON is giving away 1,000 tokens to all new users!", "Join the exclusive airdrop from TON Foundation!" Everything looks polished and legit. The only thing you need to do? Connect your wallet.
That’s when the trap closes. In one seemingly harmless transaction, your wallet signs away access to scammers. Another trick? Malicious apps disguised as official wallet software that steal your seed phrase. And if the "gift" tokens actually appear in your balance, check them on a blockchain explorer. Many fake airdrop tokens are designed to bait you into interacting with scam websites that drain your real funds.
The rule is simple but ignored too often: If free tokens are being thrown at you, there’s probably a catch. All real airdrops are announced in advance through verified sources. If an offer feels too good to be true—it probably is.
The Voice of Deception: AI-Powered Scam Attacks
A new kind of fraud has emerged—fake voice and video messages, crafted with AI precision. Imagine receiving a message from a close friend, a business partner, or a well-known crypto influencer. You hear their voice: "Urgent! Send me 50 TON, I’ll explain later!" It sounds just like them—because it is their voice. Just not their words.
These attacks are powered by deepfake technology. Scammers can clone a voice in seconds. A Zoom call with a familiar face? Could be a synthetic fake. The trick is simple: hit you with urgency before you have time to think.
How to fight back? Never send funds based on voice alone. Confirm requests through another channel. Never trust a voice—only trust the facts.
Predators Disguised as Recruiters
Another scam that preys on TON and Telegram users: fake job offers. A "recruiter" from a big-name company reaches out, offering a remote position at a blockchain project. The pay is high, the hours flexible, and the tech cutting-edge. The only catch? You need to register on their platform and make a small "deposit" to activate your account.
Scammers know how to sell a dream. People rarely question why a legitimate employer would charge a fee for hiring.
How to stay safe? Always verify job offers. Contact the company directly, check the recruiter's LinkedIn profile, and ask in crypto forums. If something feels off, it probably is.
Malicious Files in Telegram: The Hidden Threat in Attachments
Not every file is what it seems. A harmless-looking photo can hold a virus. A PDF can be a trojan. Telegram allows uncompressed file transfers, a convenience that scammers have weaponized. One click on an infected file—and your device is compromised. Your data, your account, your entire system—at their mercy.
Scammers take two approaches: they either send malicious files directly or disguise them as official documents or images, luring victims into opening them. Even messages from friends aren’t safe—accounts get hijacked, and attackers send out malware in the victim’s name.
How to stay safe? Never open files from unknown senders. If a friend or colleague sends an unexpected attachment, ask them if they actually sent it. Install antivirus software and keep your device security up to date. Avoid downloading third-party apps from unverified sources, and don’t give Telegram unnecessary storage access.
HoneyPot Scams: The Greed Trap
Crypto scammers have turned greed into a science. "HoneyPot" scams work by playing to the dream of easy money. These projects promise guaranteed high returns and are built with one goal—to collect as many investments as possible before vanishing.
They look legit: professional websites, active communities, detailed roadmaps, and an "experienced" (but anonymous) team.
The scheme follows a pattern. First, they make small payouts to lure investors into a false sense of security. Then they convince users to invest larger sums. And finally—radio silence. The website disappears, the Telegram channel is wiped, and investors are left staring at an empty wallet.
How to protect yourself? Don’t trust any project that guarantees high returns. Always research the team, check real reviews, and analyze smart contract code if possible. If a project lacks transparency, that’s your first warning sign. In crypto, high rewards always come with high risks—there’s no such thing as free money.
Conclusion
TON and Telegram ecosystem is full of opportunities—but also full of pitfalls. A smart user isn’t the luckiest one—they’re the most cautious. They verify everything, trust no one blindly, and build security into every action they take.
The crypto space is evolving, and scammers are getting sharper. The only constant is the importance of staying vigilant.
Don’t fall for the trap. It’s better to see for yourself than to regret it later.
