A fake message posted on Discord trapped Ledger users by prompting them to provide their recovery phrase.

Behind this major attack lies a human error and a formidable manipulation. Changpeng Zhao sounds the alarm… Are we really prepared for these new forms of hacking?

A fake message posted on Discord on May 10 trapped Ledger users by prompting them to provide their recovery phrase. Behind this major attack lies a human error and a formidable manipulation. Changpeng Zhao sounds the alarm… Are we really prepared for these new forms of hacking?

A Compromised Moderator and a Fake Message Broadcast

On May 11, a hacker took control of a contractor moderator account on Ledger’s Discord server. This account, usually used for community engagement, allowed the attacker to broadcast a message announcing an alleged critical security flaw. The message directed members to a fraudulent link, urging them to enter their recovery phrase.

This type of phishing relies on social engineering: it causes panic to push the user to make an irreversible mistake. By hijacking the apparent authority of a legitimate moderator, the attacker exploited a trust lever rarely questioned on these platforms.

Ledger’s Quick Response and Security Enhancement

Just a few hours after the fraudulent message was posted, Ledger reportedly identified and neutralized the threat. The company deleted the compromised account, blocked the malicious link, and launched a cleanup operation on its Discord server. Additionally, it announced a series of corrective measures:

These actions reflect a commitment to transparency and rigor against a flaw exploited through a community channel previously considered secondary in cybersecurity arsenals.

Changpeng Zhao Calls for Vigilance on Social Networks

Following the attack, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) warned the community about increasing risks related to social account compromises. According to him, these accounts often represent the most accessible entry point for cybercriminals. Ledger immediately supported his message, relaying essential recommendations on its X account. Together, they remind that:

This coordinated communication between CZ of Binance and Ledger showcases the ecosystem’s maturity facing informational threats and could well drive the BNB price upward.

An Incident Revealing the Increasing Sophistication of Attacks

The Discord case is part of a series of increasingly sophisticated attacks targeting Ledger. In April, some users received letters by mail containing a QR code, allegedly sent by the brand, which actually redirected to a phishing site. These practices may be linked to the massive data breach Ledger suffered in 2020. The attack vectors are diversifying:

These methods exploit unexpected channels to circumvent the digital vigilance of informed users. This evolution forces the entire industry to revise its defensive strategy by incorporating hybrid and more insidious scenarios.

This incident demonstrates that even the most established players remain vulnerable to targeted attacks, similar to the recent Bybit hack. Responsibility no longer rests solely on platforms but on the entire crypto community. How far will we have to go to secure spaces originally designed to foster exchange and trust?

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