Definition ∞ In the context of smart contracts and decentralized applications, a malicious call refers to an unauthorized or intentionally harmful interaction with a smart contract. This often involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the contract’s code or leveraging legitimate permissions for illicit purposes. Such calls can lead to the unauthorized transfer of tokens, alteration of contract states, or other detrimental outcomes for users and the protocol. They represent a significant security risk.
Context ∞ News reports frequently highlight instances of malicious calls resulting in significant financial losses within the decentralized finance ecosystem. These events underscore the critical importance of rigorous smart contract auditing and continuous security monitoring. Users are advised to exercise caution when interacting with new decentralized applications and to regularly review and revoke unnecessary token allowances to mitigate the risk of such attacks.