Metamask Phishing: The Only Way to Revoke Token Allowances (2026 Guide)

The ‘Disconnect’ Myth

One of the most dangerous misconceptions in crypto is that clicking ‘Disconnect’ inside your Metamask wallet stops a hacker. It does not.

When you connect to a dApp (decentralized app), you often sign a permission called an Allowance or Approval. This gives the smart contract permission to spend your tokens (often an unlimited amount) without asking you again.

If that dApp is malicious, the ‘Disconnect’ button only removes the UI connection. The smart contract still has the legal right on the blockchain to drain your wallet whenever it wants.

How the Attack Works

1. The Phish: You land on a fake minting site or airdrop claim page.
2. The Sign: It asks you to ‘Connect Wallet’ and then ‘Approve’ a transaction. It often looks standard.
3. The Drain: You just signed a SetApprovalForAll or a high-limit approve() function. The hacker can now drain your USDT, WETH, or NFTs instantly—or wait until you deposit more funds.

The Fix: Revoking Allowances

You must tell the blockchain to cancel that permission. Here is the standard procedure used by security profressionals.

Option 1: Revoke.cash (Recommended)

Revoke.cash is the industry standard tool for managing permissions.

1. Go to Revoke.cash (verify the URL carefully).
2. Connect your wallet.
3. Filter by ‘Unlimited’ or look for unknown contracts.
4. Click Revoke next to the suspicious allowance.
5. Sign the transaction in Metamask (this requires a small gas fee).

Option 2: Etherscan / Block Explorers

If you prefer going direct to the source:

1. Go to Etherscan.io and navigate to ‘More’ > ‘Token Approvals’.
2. Connect your Web3 wallet.
3. Review the list of Approved Spenders.
4. Revoke any contract you do not recognize or trust.

Prevention Tips

• Use a Burner Wallet: Never mint NFTs or claim airdrops with your main holding wallet.
• Read Before You Sign: Metamask and Rabbit (a wallet extension) now simulate transactions. If it says ‘Approve’ for all your assets, reject it.
• Audit Regularly: Check your allowances once a month, even if you haven’t been hacked.

Security Note: If your private key or seed phrase was compromised (you typed it into a website), revoking allowances will not save you. You must create a new wallet and move any remaining funds immediately.