Beware of eth_sign Signature Scams: Principles, Tactics and Preventive Measures

Recently, there have been frequent cases of eth_sign signature scams, with many users unknowingly signing seemingly innocuous eth_sign signatures on suspicious websites, resulting in the theft of wallet assets. To help you better understand how this type of scam works, we need to first explain the nature of eth_sign signatures.

Introduction to eth_sign Signatures

In the Ethereum network, eth_sign is a widely used signature method that allows users to sign messages with a private key. This signature mechanism is a key component of blockchain transactions and is used to prove that a particular account is the originator of the transaction. To put it simply, it's like signing a document, indicating that you agree with or support the content of the document.

However, there is a problem that is easily overlooked in the process of eth_sign use, that is, the so-called "blind signature". When a message is signed with a eth_sign, the user may not fully understand the content of the signature and may not be able to reverse-verify the specific meaning of the signature. This is because the input to the eth_sign is a raw string rather than a human-readable format. It's like signing a contract written in an unfamiliar language, which is why it's called "blind signing."

! Beware of eth_sign Blind Sign Scams: Introduction, Tactics and Prevention

Common Scams

After understanding the concept of eth_sign signatures and blind signatures, we can further explore the potential risks of eth_sign and how to prevent them.

Since eth_sign can be used to sign various types of messages, including transactions and smart contract instructions, a malicious third party may trick users into signing a message that they don't fully understand, resulting in the transfer of assets. To make matters worse, they may deliver a seemingly innocuous message for the user to sign, but in reality it could be an action instruction that, once signed, the user's assets are transferred to the scammer's account.

Precautions

In the face of this situation, how to effectively prevent it? The latest version of a well-known wallet has upgraded the risk control system. When a user accesses a third-party decentralized application and invokes the eth_sign to sign a message, the wallet will pop up a risk warning window to remind the user that the current transaction may be potentially risky, and start a 15-second countdown cooldown. This setting is designed to give the user enough time to evaluate the necessity and safety of the signature operation.

! Beware of eth_sign Blind Sign Scams: Introduction, Tactics and Prevention

Security Recommendations

Security experts remind users that:

1. Be vigilant of all requests that require the use of eth_sign signatures, especially those from unknown or untrustworthy sources. If there are doubts about the authenticity or purpose of the request, it is never easy to sign.

2. Ensure that the message or transaction request being processed comes from a trusted channel, such as an official website, official social media, or a verified communication channel. Never trust links, emails, or private information from unknown sources.

By being vigilant and taking appropriate precautions, we can better protect our digital assets from falling victim to eth_sign signature scams.