Crypto drainers are one of the fastest-growing threats in the blockchain ecosystem, capable of emptying a user’s wallet within seconds of a single careless click. Unlike traditional hacks, drainers don’t need to “break in”, instead, they trick victims into giving permission.

The attack usually follows a simple but devastating flow: a user connects their wallet to what looks like a legitimate dApp, NFT mint, or airdrop page; the site prompts them to sign or approve a transaction; hidden inside that approval is a malicious allowance or transfer function; once confirmed, the drainer script sweeps out tokens or NFTs instantly.

In 2024 and into 2025, these attacks have surged thanks to “drainer-as-a-service” kits being sold on underground forums, making it easy for even low-skill scammers to launch large-scale campaigns. The success of drainers lies in wallet UX itself, many platforms use confusing approval prompts, long-lived or unlimited token allowances, and signatures that don’t clearly show what assets are at risk. As a result, unsuspecting users often authorize malicious contracts without realizing they’ve just handed the keys to their entire wallet. Protecting against drainers requires a mindset shift: treat every wallet signature like you’re authorizing a bank transfer.

Never click “approve all” or give unlimited allowances unless absolutely necessary. Use hardware wallets or multisig setups for larger balances and keep only small amounts in hot wallets for daily transactions. Regularly revoke old approvals using tools like Etherscan’s Token Approval Checker, and avoid connecting wallets to unknown or unverified dApps, especially those shared via social media links.

The bottom line is simple: crypto drainers don’t break wallets, users unknowingly let them in. One moment of caution can mean the difference between keeping your portfolio safe or losing it all in a few seconds.