Staying Safe on the Internet

Education about staying safe on the internet.

The internet is an educational and entertaining place. But it also has a dark side too. It is important to understand how to keep your crypto funds and NFTs safe in a rapidly changing virtual environment.

Do Not Click Random Links

• So, you've taken the time to learn about blockchains and cryptocurrency - in that case, you should also take the time to learn to stop impulsively clicking links while using the browser with your wallet dashboard or extension on.

• Get into the habit of treating links as suspicious. Whether the link is on a webpage, a social page, in an email, in a direct message, and so on.

• Links can be used to trick you into connecting your wallet to a compromised app or a fake third-party website, giving fraudsters access to your wallet.

• If the link mentions a community or company, Google it first to see if it is legitimate. If it does seem legitimate, check the spelling of the link. Some scam websites use an alternate spelling of the real thing.

• You can also scan the link for malicious code and so forth on virus scan websites, such as https://www.virustotal.com/.

• Even if it still seems legitimate, open the link in a different browser that does not have your wallet connected to it.

Do Not Download Random Files

• If you are offered to download a random file, do not do so.

• Files can contain malicious code, such as a script which executes a hyperlink to direct you to a scam site. Or a virus.

• Image files, video files, email files, PDF files, EXE files, and BAT files are the most common formats used by scammers, but there may be others too. Treat all random offers to download something as extremely suspicious.

Beware Of Untrustworthy Websites

• Avoid visiting websites of a shady nature. This includes websites that offer illegal downloads or illegal streams (ie, cracked software, movie piracy, etc).

• These websites often state that they are "free". However, this is not actually the case, even software crackers and movie pirates need to make a living to survive somehow.

• Websites that offer shady software, for example, often bundle dangerous additions into the downloads, such as trackers, spyware, and crypto miners.

• They may also contain adverts provided by a shady service that actually link to a dangerous website, since law-abiding ad services such as Google Ads would normally refuse to operate on such websites.

Social Networks

• See the Official Links page for the links to The Sandbox's official social network pages.

• The Sandbox will never send you a DM on social networks to ask for funds, offer you a prize, see if you want to download something, and so on.

• The Sandbox does not have any "official support" social network pages. We provide support via private tickets, for your privacy and safety, via our official Discord community and official website - not on social media.

• Be wary of shady people abusing social posts on The Sandbox's official social media accounts to post "shills" that are actually potentially dangerous links. Feel free to report such abuse to the social network in question.