Address poisoning
Address poisoning is a scam that places a lookalike address in a victim's transaction history in the hope they later copy it by mistake.
✦ Key Insight
Blockchain transactions are generally irreversible, so copying the wrong address can permanently send assets to the attacker.
✕ Common Misconceptions
Do not verify only the first and last four characters. Use saved addresses, QR codes or full-address verification when practical.
Detailed Explanation
In Practice
Dig Deeper
Dust attack
A dust attack sends very small amounts of cryptocurrency to addresses, often in an attempt to observe future wallet activity or attract user interaction.
Address
An address is a public identifier used to specify a destination or account on a blockchain network.
Transaction
A blockchain transaction is a signed or authorized instruction that changes blockchain state or transfers value when accepted by the network.