How StarkWare Proactively Tackles Scams and Phishing Attempts

StarkWare is leading the way in scaling Ethereum by building Validity-based scaling solutions such as Starknet. Starknet is a trailblazing L2 and ecosystem that provides massive scaling, reduced costs, and high TPS for Ethereum.

We sat down with StarkWare to discuss the growing threats facing L2s, including Starknet, from phishing attempts to imposter websites. Our conversation with them highlights the evolving nature of Web3 threats and StarkWare’s commitment to building a secure environment for users, developers, and partners alike.

Read on to learn how the StarkWare team first identified the online threats targeting their community. They explain the importance of security in the Web3 space and how working with ChainPatrol has allowed them to proactively tackle scams and phishing attempts that threaten their ecosystem. 

🛡ChainPatrol: 

When and how did the StarkWare team come to realize that the organization was being targeted by online threats like phishing and impersonation? 

🎙️StarkWare:

We realized we were being targeted when people in our company started receiving suspicious messages across different platforms, including phishing attempts and fake links.

We soon noticed that the threats were targeting more than our internal team – they were targeting our community as well. With the volume of threats rising, we knew we needed to take measures to mitigate them.  

🛡ChainPatrol:

What are the main ways that these threats impact your business, and what threat is most problematic or concerning?  

🎙️StarkWare:

Phishing links and other scams threaten the safety and security of our users, which in turn can hurt our reputation. We want our community to feel safe and secure when using our platform. Not only does this support brand loyalty, but it helps to maintain a positive reputation all around. 

It’s a worthy investment for us to work with a partner like ChainPatrol to protect our brand and community. Working with ChainPatrol helps us to clear the web from imposters and makes it possible for our community to use our platforms safely.

Scam domains are definitely the most problematic threat we’ve come across for the Starknet community. These fake websites try to trick our community into connecting their wallets, and as a result, wallets can be drained.

🛡ChainPatrol: 

Starknet’s ecosystem wallets Braavos and Argent are user-friendly with enhanced DeFi capabilities. How did Starknet support these wallet teams to integrate ChainPatrol and protect users prior to the provisions period?  

🎙️StarkWare:

We know how critical security is in the Web3 ecosystem, and having benefited from the advantages of collaborating with ChainPatrol, we made a point to share our experience with our wallet providers, Braavos and Argent. We believe that security measures should be top-of-mind for everyone in the ecosystem, so it’s nice to see more and more communities working with security platforms like ChainPatrol. 

Total daily threats blocked by ChainPatrol during Starknet's Provisions period.

🛡ChainPatrol: 

Can you describe how ChainPatrol works with your existing security team? 

🎙️StarkWare:

The ChainPatrol team works closely with our security team, as well as people from the Starknet community. On a daily basis, we work together to detect, block, and take down the fake profiles and URLs, as well as other scams, that appear across the web. 

One of the biggest benefits to collaborating with ChainPatrol is that you provide coverage 24/7. Some scammers tend to attack in the middle of the night, or on weekends, and the ChainPatrol team is always on top of it. We find the ChainPatrol team is very responsive and professional, and it’s a relief to know that help is available at any hour of the day.

🛡ChainPatrol: 

ChainPatrol protected Starknet during the launch of its Provisions program in March and April of 2024, blocking and managing takedowns for thousands of threats. How did ChainPatrol’s protection support StarkWare and Starknet during this period? 

🎙️StarkWare:

ChainPatrol helped us around the clock during this period, which was very beneficial. The ChainPatrol team acted fast during the provisions, taking down thousands of imposter profiles and fake websites to ensure our users were able to collect their tokens safely.

Haim Krasniker, Head of Security, StarkWare:

“I feel that ChainPatrol is playing a big part in enhancing the security of Starknet ecosystem. Their proactive tooling and dedicated support have significantly mitigated social engineering threats that target our community. By working closely with our security team and providing 24/7 coverage, ChainPatrol acts as an extension of our own team, ensuring that our users can interact with our platform safely. As web3 social engineering threats become more sophisticated, it's reassuring to have a partner like ChainPatrol who stays ahead of emerging scams and helps us maintain a secure and trusted environment for our users.”

🛡ChainPatrol: 

As your organization scales, how are your protection needs evolving? 

🎙️StarkWare:

As the Starknet network and the Web3 ecosystem grows, we are seeing threats evolve. One noticeable change over time is the sophistication of the threats. Scammers are becoming increasingly advanced, and always looking for sneakier ways to trick their victims. Our protection needs are always evolving as a result. That’s why it’s a priority for us to work with a security platform that is on top of the latest threats, and developing solutions for new threats as they emerge.

🛡ChainPatrol: 

Security in the Web3 space is a major barrier of entry – People are fearful of crypto hacks, scams, and other vulnerabilities. How is Starknet supporting the growth of a secure Web3 space that helps shift perceptions about safety in Web3? 

🎙️StarkWare:

We consider security a fundamental part of the Starknet network and ecosystem. We collaborate and share security best practices with our partners in the Web3 ecosystem. For example, we work closely with Web3 security providers, such as ChainPatrol, and participate in the SEAL Security Alliance. We believe that every blockchain project should prioritize security from the beginning, and as an ecosystem, we need to ensure that security knowledge is easily accessible. This is crucial to the growth and success of blockchain technology, and the Web3 space.

Are you ready to protect your brand and community? Book a ChainPatrol demo to learn how we can help.