Malicious Approval

Definition ∞ Malicious approval refers to an unauthorized or deceptive transaction authorization, often granted unwittingly by a user or obtained through an exploit. This action typically grants an attacker control over a user’s digital assets. It represents a significant security vulnerability.
Context ∞ In decentralized finance (DeFi), malicious approvals are a critical security concern where users inadvertently grant smart contracts or external addresses permissions to spend their tokens. News frequently reports on exploits involving such approvals, warning users about phishing scams and the importance of regularly auditing and revoking contract permissions. This vigilance is essential to prevent substantial asset loss in the digital economy.