TerraForm Labs, the team behind the L1 blockchain Terra, has taken the drastic step of freezing its website following a series of phishing attacks that compromised the platform over the weekend. The malefactors behind the attack exploited vulnerabilities on the website to carry out phishing attacks, putting unsuspecting users at risk.
1/ 📢 Attention Terra users,
To avoid potential phishing scams, please continue to avoid interacting with sites with the terra(dot)money domain until we post another update confirming full access.
— Terra 🌍 Powered by LUNA 🌕 (@terra_money) August 20, 2023
Terraform warns users against ongoing phishing attacks, Shutdown its website
In an official statement on August 20, TerraForm Labs warned users about the ongoing phishing attacks and urged them to steer clear of the compromised website, which utilized the terra(dot)money domain. The attackers were employing deceptive tactics to trick users into divulging sensitive information and potentially exposing their wallets to theft. In particular, the attackers disguised the website and prompted users to connect their wallets. Once connected, the attackers gained unauthorized access to the wallet’s funds, potentially resulting in significant financial losses for victims.
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Despite these warnings, some users continued to visit the compromised website, putting themselves at risk of falling victim to the phishing scam. To counteract this, TerraForm Labs decided to temporarily freeze the website. The move was deemed necessary to prevent further phishing attacks and safeguard the Terra community from potential theft.
1/ Update: The terra(dot) money domains have successfully been frozen to prevent further user phishing scams, but a full resolution is still underway.
Please read the following 🧵 for more information 👇
— Terra 🌍 Powered by LUNA 🌕 (@terra_money) August 22, 2023
TerraForm Labs emphasized the importance of vigilance during this time and assured users that the team was actively working to provide updates on the situation. However, the extent of the funds stolen by the attackers was not disclosed.
Terra station implements significant security measures
In response to the attack, Terra Station, the dedicated wallet for the Terra ecosystem, implemented significant security enhancements to ensure user safety. Terra Station recommended users refrain from using both the mobile and desktop versions of their apps until further notice. Notably, the Terra Station Chrome extension received an update to version 7.4.4 to counteract phishing attempts. Furthermore, the team took similar measures to enhance the security of other Station browser extensions, aiming to guard against future phishing attacks.
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1/ Update: We've made significant changes to ensure the safety and security of our users. Please read the following thread for important information and links 🧵👇
— Station 🛰 (@StationWallet) August 22, 2023
The Terra blockchain gained substantial popularity in mid-2022 with the introduction of its algorithmic stablecoin, TerraUSD (UST). However, this reputation was marred when TerraUSD lost its peg to the US dollar, leading to a significant financial loss of over $60 billion for investors. Moreover, TerraForm Labs and its founder, Do Kwon, found themselves facing legal challenges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company attempted to leverage the outcome of the Ripple case as a legal precedent to dismiss the SEC’s charges, but US District Judge Jed Rakoff rejected this argument.
In the face of ongoing security concerns and phishing attacks, TerraForm Labs is working diligently to address the situation, restore confidence within the Terra community, and prevent further unauthorized access to users’ funds. Users are urged to exercise caution, follow official updates from TerraForm Labs, and refrain from interacting with any suspicious websites bearing the terra(dot)money domain.