PEPE Memecoin Website Hijacked: Malicious Redirect Threatens Crypto Investors

Another day, another crypto cautionary tale—this time starring the frog-themed token that refuses to croak.

The Bait-and-Switch

Visitors to the official-looking PEPE memecoin site this week got more than they bargained for. Instead of chart data or community updates, the domain now redirects to a malicious link—a classic phishing trap dressed in memecoin clothing. It’s a stark reminder that in the wild west of decentralized finance, even a bookmark can lead you off a cliff.

Security in a Meme-Driven Market

The incident exposes the fragile trust underpinning speculative assets. Investors chasing the next parabolic move often overlook basic digital hygiene—clicking first, asking questions later. While blockchain itself remains secure, the gateways and front-ends remain vulnerable. One compromised redirect can drain wallets faster than a bear market.

The Irony of the “Unofficial Official” Site

PEPE, born from internet culture and fueled by retail frenzy, now faces a threat from its own periphery. The site wasn’t the smart contract itself, but a point of contact—a hub for speculation now turned weapon. It’s a fitting metaphor for an asset class where fundamentals are optional, but risk is always mandatory.

As regulators scramble to define securities, hackers simply redefine theft. The line between “community-driven project” and “unsecured digital billboard” has never been blurrier. Stay skeptical, verify URLs twice, and remember—in crypto, the only thing that moons reliably is your own blood pressure.

In brief

• The PEPE site redirected to a fake portal designed to empty connected crypto wallets.
• Inferno Drainer, a hacking tool announced dead, now infects 2,400 DApps per week.
• Despite the attack, the PEPE token price rose 4% in 24 hours.
• Hackers exploit legitimate interfaces to deceive less aware crypto users.

When a stillborn tool is reborn: the PEPE case and the “ghost” Inferno Drainer

Blockaid, a cybersecurity company, detected malicious code on the official Pepe site. This front-end compromise redirects visitors to a fake site, which empties wallets by injecting an invisible script. The most ironic part? The incriminated software, Inferno Drainer, had announced its “retirement” at the end of 2023.

But in 2024, the tool has tripled in intensity: from 800 infected DApps per week to 2,400, according to Blockaid. 

Blockaid’s system identified a front-end attack on Pepe. The site contains code similar to Inferno Drainer.

Scammers no longer settle for clones. They hack the original interface, taking advantage of users’ familiarity with official platforms. The bait? Airdrops, fake rewards, bogus bonuses. The legitimate appearance deceives, and transaction permissions are granted… without thought.

The sneakiest part? These scripts activate as soon as a wallet is connected, requiring no visible action. Essentially, the user is validating the plundering of their own funds. PEPE is not the only target. Other crypto projects have also been attacked via this insidious method, notably through X, with fraudulent links published on hijacked accounts.

Why the crypto market remains unmoved: PEPE, leak, but no panic

Despite this hack, the Pepe Price rose 4% over 24 hours. A striking contrast with the severity of the attack. No free fall, no panic on forums. Over a year, the token has lost more than 77% of its value. The explanation? The goldfish effect of the crypto market.

The memecoin universe, fueled by speculation, poorly absorbs weak signals. As long as volatility is profitable, incidents take a back seat. No statement from the PEPE project has yet been published, but platforms continue to offer the token with no particular alert.

Several experts highlight a latent danger: reputation effects may emerge later on, impacting liquidity and liquidation thresholds on some platforms. Some exchanges might revise their risk metrics, affecting the market deeper.

Users are on the front line. Protections exist: security extensions, cross-checking links, rejecting automatic connections… but few apply them. In a world where a simple click can empty everything, caution remains a minority.

Key figures to remember in the crypto world

• 2,400 new DApps infected by Inferno Drainer each week in 2024;
• PEPE: +4% in 24h despite the attack;
• Current PEPE price: $0.000004449;
• -77% performance for PEPE over the last 12 months;
• The exploit targeted the front-end, making the original site dangerous without any visual clue;
• Blockaid initiated the alert, but no public response from the PEPE project to date.

Unlike this PEPE case, a light pierced elsewhere: Yearn Finance developers managed to recover $2.4 million stolen through an unprecedented rescue mission. It shows that even in the shadow of hacks, some crypto teams keep fighting.

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