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
XRP
XRP$1.3982+10.57%
Solana
SOL$90.95+4.13%
Tron
TRX$0.34+0.17%

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
XRP Logo
XRP Price(XRP)
$1.3982
$1.3982$1.3982
-0.41%
USD
XRP (XRP) Live Price Chart

Popular Articles

View More
Can XRP Reach $1,000? The Math Says No, Here's Why

Can XRP Reach $1,000? The Math Says No, Here's Why

Every crypto rally brings the same question back: can XRP reach $1,000? It is one of the most-searched price targets in all of crypto, and the short answer is no — not at anything close to XRP's

Does XRP Burn Coins? Yes, but Not for the Reason You Think

Does XRP Burn Coins? Yes, but Not for the Reason You Think

If you've been holding XRP or thinking about buying it, you've probably seen people arguing about "XRP burns" and wondered what all the fuss is about. The short answer: yes, XRP burns coins — a tiny

Is XRP Going to Go Up? The Honest Answer No One Gives You

Is XRP Going to Go Up? The Honest Answer No One Gives You

Sooner or later, almost every XRP holder types the same question into a search bar: is XRP going to go up? Here's the honest problem with that question — anyone who answers it with a confident yes

Will XRP Replace SWIFT? Inside Ripple's 14% Bet Against the Banking Giant

Will XRP Replace SWIFT? Inside Ripple's 14% Bet Against the Banking Giant

Every time XRP makes headlines, the same debate resurfaces — can a cryptocurrency actually challenge the backbone of global banking? SWIFT has moved trillions of dollars across borders for decades,

Hot Crypto Updates

View More
Is Altcoin Season Back? ETH, SOL, XRP and HYPE Rally as Bitcoin Nears $70,000

Is Altcoin Season Back? ETH, SOL, XRP and HYPE Rally as Bitcoin Nears $70,000

Overview As benchmark digital asset Bitcoin (BTC) challenges the psychological 70,000 dollar threshold, the underlying price structure across the cryptocurrency market is undergoing a decisive shift.

CLARITY Act Odds Fade Toward 50/50: What the Stalled Crypto Bill Means for XRP

CLARITY Act Odds Fade Toward 50/50: What the Stalled Crypto Bill Means for XRP

The single biggest catalyst hanging over XRP, the CLARITY Act, is looking less certain by the week. Galaxy Research just cut its odds of the US crypto market-structure bill passing in 2026 to 50%,

XRP Q2 2026 Price Prediction: Has the Bottom Arrived or Is the Sell-Off Not Over?

XRP Q2 2026 Price Prediction: Has the Bottom Arrived or Is the Sell-Off Not Over?

XRP is trading near $1.24 in Q2 2026 as spot ETF inflows hit a yearly high and the CLARITY Act clears a Senate committee. Here's what analysts really expect — and why the divergence matters. Overview

XRPL 3.2.0 Is Live: The End of rippled, and What XRP Holders Actually Need to Do

XRPL 3.2.0 Is Live: The End of rippled, and What XRP Holders Actually Need to Do

XRP Ledger's v3.2.0 mainnet upgrade activated on June 15, 2026, renaming the core server software from rippled to xrpld and cutting node memory usage by up to 40%. Here's what it means for XRP

Trending News

View More
Crypto Spot ETFs Diverge: SOL and XRP See Inflows as BTC and ETH Post Outflows

Crypto Spot ETFs Diverge: SOL and XRP See Inflows as BTC and ETH Post Outflows

Spot crypto ETFs showed divergent fund flows last week, with Solana (SOL) and XRP products recording net inflows, while Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) spot ETFs experienced notable net outflows.

XRP's Paradox: Court Victory and ETF Approval Can't Push Price Past $5

XRP's Paradox: Court Victory and ETF Approval Can't Push Price Past $5

XRP achieved what seemed like transformative victories in 2024 and early 2025—a favorable court ruling against the SEC and approval of spot ETFs—yet the cryptocurrency's price performance has disappoi

XRP ETFs Lead the Crypto ETF Market, Hit Record Volume

XRP ETFs Lead the Crypto ETF Market, Hit Record Volume

XRP‑linked ETFs are the top‑performing crypto ETFs today, posting their highest daily trading volume since launch, according to market data.

Will XRP Go Back Up? The Factors That Actually Decide

Will XRP Go Back Up? The Factors That Actually Decide

Whether XRP recovers depends on real drivers, not hype: ETF flows, US crypto regulation, token unlocks and demand. Here is the framework, not a price call.

Related Articles

View More
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

Honeypot Token Prevention Guide

Honeypot Token Prevention Guide

New projects and cryptocurrencies in the digital currency market are constantly emerging. Due to their potential for high returns, they also hide significant risks for investors. The term "Honeypot To

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