Summary: Address hijacking is a malicious practice where scammers steal crypto funds by digitally replacing legitimate deposit or withdrawal addresses with their own. It normally happens when aSummary: Address hijacking is a malicious practice where scammers steal crypto funds by digitally replacing legitimate deposit or withdrawal addresses with their own. It normally happens when a
Learn/Cryptocurrency Knowledge/Security Knowledge/How To Prev...s Hijacking

How To Prevent Loss of Funds Caused by Address Hijacking

Jul 16, 2025MEXC
0m
XAUT
XAUT$4,350.1-0.01%
Blobacoin
BLOB$5.444-3.90%
Bitcoin
BTC$77,313.8+0.13%

Summary: Address hijacking is a malicious practice where scammers steal crypto funds by digitally replacing legitimate deposit or withdrawal addresses with their own. It normally happens when a victim uses unofficial software to send addresses for receiving crypto. Victims may also notice when they copy and paste addresses locally, the pasted address does not match the intended address.

How to protect yourself from address hijacking


1. Always download third-party chat applications from legitimate sources. Avoid cracked versions and unofficial localizations of otherwise legitimate software. Only download software directly from officially recognized app stores or the developers' platform.

2. Exercise caution when installing third-party browser extensions and avoid installing unreliable extensions from unofficial marketplaces.

3. Regularly update your device's operating system (iOS/Android/Windows/macOS), promptly install system security patches, keep your browser up to date, install antivirus software, and perform regular virus scans.

Test whether your address has been hijacked


1.In a chat application, send the address to a friend and compare the address they receive on their device. If they don't match, it indicates that the address has been hijacked.

2.When using a browser to make withdrawals on a CEX platform, there is usually a second confirmation screen for the address. Carefully check if the displayed address matches the intended address. If they don't match, it indicates that the browser interface has been hijacked. You can also test the address using a search engine. Paste the test withdrawal address into a search engine, click search, and check if the search keywords on the search results page match the address you entered.If they don't match, the browser interface may have been hijacked.

3.In your operating system, copy the test address and paste it into a notepad or other software. Compare the pasted address with the intended address. If they don't match, your entire clipboard may have been hijacked.

If you are the victim of address hijacking


1. If you suspect that the third-party chat application you use is hijacking your address, uninstall the application and download the official version from a legitimate source.

2. If you suspect that your browser has been hijacked, the most likely cause is a malicious browser extension or a counterfeit version of the browser. If you downloaded the browser from a legitimate source, uninstall any suspicious extensions. If you are unsure which extension may be the culprit, uninstall all extensions. If you did not download the browser from an official channel, uninstall and redownload it from an official source.

3. If you suspect that your OS has been hijacked (i.e. addresses change when copying and pasting locally), it is likely that your device has malware. Install antivirus software and scan for virusespromptly. Additionally, you should keep your system updated and regularly install security updates.

4. If none of these steps resolve your issue, you may need to consider reinstalling your operating system. Be aware that you will lose all your data if you reinstall your operating system. Consider visiting an official service center to help with reinstallation.


Market Opportunity
null Logo
null Price(null)
--
----
USD
null (null) Live Price Chart

Popular Articles

View More
HTX KYC Requirements in 2026: Why Do Review Sites Say 3,000 BTC When HTX Says 200?

HTX KYC Requirements in 2026: Why Do Review Sites Say 3,000 BTC When HTX Says 200?

HTX runs three individual verification levels. L1 Basic Permissions asks for your nationality, name, date of birth and ID number, with no document upload, and unlocks deposits and withdrawals. L2

HTX Withdrawal Limits in 2026: Is Your Daily Cap 0.06 BTC or 200 BTC, and How Long Does It Actually Take?

HTX Withdrawal Limits in 2026: Is Your Daily Cap 0.06 BTC or 200 BTC, and How Long Does It Actually Take?

In notices dated August 2021 and October 2022, HTX published daily withdrawal limits of 0.06 BTC for an account with no verification level, 5 BTC at L1, and 200 BTC at both L2 and L3. Institutional

Bybit KYC Requirements (2026): Which Level Do You Actually Need, and Is 20K USDT Without It Still Real?

Bybit KYC Requirements (2026): Which Level Do You Actually Need, and Is 20K USDT Without It Still Real?

Bybit has required Standard identity verification for every product and service since 8 May 2023: a government-issued ID plus an identity assessment unlocks trading and crypto withdrawals up to 1M

Liquid Network Hack Explained: What Happened to Nearly 4,000 BTC and Is L-BTC Safe?

Liquid Network Hack Explained: What Happened to Nearly 4,000 BTC and Is L-BTC Safe?

Nearly 4,000 Bitcoin suddenly left the wallet securing one of Bitcoin's best-known sidechains over the weekend, triggering a network pause and raising an uncomfortable question for L-BTC holders:

Hot Crypto Updates

View More
Bitcoin Golden Cross Meets $77,000 Test: Can BTC Hold Above Key Moving Averages?

Bitcoin Golden Cross Meets $77,000 Test: Can BTC Hold Above Key Moving Averages?

Key Takeaways Bitcoin confirmed a golden cross as its 50-day moving average crossed above the 200-day moving average, though spot prices encountered immediate selling pressure between $77,000 and

Bessent’s Two-Way Pressure and Pre-CPI Jitters – Yen Strength and Rising Treasury Yields Squeeze US Equities【MEXC Alpha Trader – Daily Market Brief (September 11, 2026)】

Bessent’s Two-Way Pressure and Pre-CPI Jitters – Yen Strength and Rising Treasury Yields Squeeze US Equities【MEXC Alpha Trader – Daily Market Brief (September 11, 2026)】

I. Macro & Market Sentiment Market Data: BTC $76,922 (-1.47%) | ETH $2,452 (-0.46%) | SOL $99.37 (-1.67%) Market Sentiment: Funding Rate +0.0062% | Fear & Greed Index 56 (Greed) Currency & FX: US

SEC Reportedly Preparing Major Exemption for Tokenized Securities, May Allow Direct On-Chain Trading【MEXC Alpha Trader – Daily Market Brief (September 10, 2026)】

SEC Reportedly Preparing Major Exemption for Tokenized Securities, May Allow Direct On-Chain Trading【MEXC Alpha Trader – Daily Market Brief (September 10, 2026)】

I. Macro & Market Sentiment Market Data: BTC $78,074 (-1.00%) | ETH $2,463 (-1.35%) | SOL $101 (-2.61%) Market Sentiment: Funding Rate +0.0036% | Fear & Greed Index 69 (Greed) Geopolitical Conflict:

Liquid Network Hack Explained: $320 Million in Bitcoin Drained, 85% Returned, and the $47 Million Question

Liquid Network Hack Explained: $320 Million in Bitcoin Drained, 85% Returned, and the $47 Million Question

Key Takeaways On Sunday, September 6, 2026, self described whitehat hackers withdrew about 4,000 Bitcoin (BTC), worth roughly $320 million, from the federation wallet backing Blockstream's Liquid

Trending News

View More
Why Are US Treasury Yields Continuing to Hit New Highs?

Why Are US Treasury Yields Continuing to Hit New Highs?

US Treasury yields are reaching multi-year highs as oil-driven inflation, Fed policy and government debt concerns reshape bond-market expectations.

What Is 4STOCK Coin and Why Is the New Token Attracting Attention?

What Is 4STOCK Coin and Why Is the New Token Attracting Attention?

4STOCK is a new BNB Chain meme coin linked to the Four.Meme stock narrative. Learn its contract, price drivers, buyback mechanism and risks.

What Is BinanceTown Coin and Why Did This BNB Chain Meme Surge?

What Is BinanceTown Coin and Why Did This BNB Chain Meme Surge?

BinanceTown is a new BNB Chain meme coin inspired by a viral “town” theme. Learn its contract, price drivers, liquidity risks and outlook.

Ethereum Price Breaks $2,600 as ETH Leads the Post-CPI Rally

Ethereum Price Breaks $2,600 as ETH Leads the Post-CPI Rally

Ethereum surged above $2,600 despite hotter US inflation. Here is what drove the ETH rally and what could determine its next move.

Related Articles

View More
Why MEXC is the Safest Choice for Traders

Why MEXC is the Safest Choice for Traders

Due to the potential for enormous profits, weak regulation, and anonymity, the cryptocurrency market is rife with scams. Crypto users should remain vigilant, carefully assess investment projects, avoi

MEXC Account Frozen? Withdrawal Limits & How to Fix Restricted Account Issues

MEXC Account Frozen? Withdrawal Limits & How to Fix Restricted Account Issues

Account freezing refers to the temporary blocking or restriction of a user's cryptocurrency trading account, preventing them from making transactions or withdrawing funds. The duration of a cryptocurr

MEXC Restricted Countries: Complete List of Prohibited & Limited Regions

MEXC Restricted Countries: Complete List of Prohibited & Limited Regions

MEXC is committed to providing users with a convenient, efficient, and secure trading platform, empowering crypto enthusiasts worldwide to explore the digital asset ecosystem. We uphold the highest st

How to Identify SMS Phishing

How to Identify SMS Phishing

SMS Phishing are fraudulent activities that use SMS (Short Message Service) as a medium to steal users' sensitive information (such as wallet private keys, login credentials) or deceive them into givi

Sign Up on MEXC
Sign Up & Receive Up to 10,000 USDT Bonus
Is Your Stablecoin Truly Safe?
Is Your Stablecoin Truly Safe?Is Your Stablecoin Truly Safe?
Know the risks of USDT, USDC, OpenUSD & USD1