"Loss Caused by Malicious Google Apps due to Accidentally Entering Mnemonic Phrase"
Google Chrome extension app Ledger Secure has been confirmed as malicious software, with users coming forward to claim they have had 16,000 USD worth of privacy coin Zcash stolen.
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Ledger Secure is a Google Chrome browser extension that is unrelated to the well-known hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger. According to a report, the malicious software illicitly sends users' "mnemonics" back to the creators of the malicious software.
Ledger has also confirmed this on their official Twitter:
A malicious Google Chrome extension called "Ledger Secure" has been detected. This is not a legitimate Ledger application, please do not use it, and if installed, contact us immediately.
⚠️PHISHING ALERT⚠️
A Chrome extension malware has been detected called "Ledger Secure". This is NOT a legitimate Ledger application
DO NOT use it and contact us if you've installed it:https://t.co/bRaDjYHZbY
You can help by reporting the extension:https://t.co/oltHbtA8RR
— Ledger Support (@Ledger_Support) January 2, 2020
A user named hackedzec claimed on Twitter to have been attacked by the malicious software, resulting in a loss of 600 ZCash, equivalent to $16,000. The user mentioned only entering the mnemonic once on the software. Subsequently, they found a file on their computer leading to the Ledger Secure Twitter account.
Interestingly, Google has been making headlines in the crypto media in recent days. Previously, ABM reported that YouTube was cracking down on crypto-related videos, leading to the removal of videos from multiple creators. Google then removed the popular Ethereum wallet MetaMask from the Google Play Store.
Google claimed that MetaMask violated its financial services app policy and categorized MetaMask as a mining application. After ongoing efforts from the MetaMask team, Google lifted the ban on New Year's Day. The MetaMask team stated:
Thank you for providing alternative distribution suggestions during the ban. This experience has strengthened our resilience, and as a team, we will face this event with even greater strength.
Similar to the outcome with MetaMask, YouTube promptly responded to the removal incident, acknowledging internal errors in decision-making and reinstating the relevant videos.
Related Reading
- YouTube Cracks Down on Crypto-Related Videos, Creators Claim Videos Removed Unjustly
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