- NordVPN identified malware and scam campaigns targeting GTA 6 fans
- The web is flooded with fake beta keys, trojanized repacks and phishing sites
- PC and Android users are the main targets
The hype surrounding the release of GTA 6 is real, and bad actors are quick to make the most of it by targeting players disappointed by the delay in the game’s release. The lead-up to the release of Rockstar Games’ most anticipated title leaves fans vulnerable to a large number of scams, NordVPN warns.
NordVPN, which consistently ranks at the top of our list of best VPNs, shared the findings of its Threat Intelligence team. The team discovered a wave of GTA 6-themed scams targeting eager fans with fake installers, non-existent beta keys, phishing pages, and even Android adware pretending to be a “GTA 6 beta” app.
Attackers rely on victims clicking first, then thinking later, thereby instilling a sense of urgency into each scam attempt.
NordVPN reveals staggering scale of GTA 6 scams
NordVPN revealed that PC and Android users are the main targets of GTA 6 scams, but bad actors can still promise access to the game on other platforms.
The game has been confirmed to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series Users first fill out a short form, go through a quick verification process, and then are asked to subscribe or download potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Windows users are also targeted by clones of well-known piracy sites. These clones distribute malware, cleverly disguised as a real game. NordVPN downloaded one of these scam files and found it surprisingly legitimate, complete with a proper game installer that silently launches a Trojan in the background. The malware can modify your PC’s RAM, connect to external servers and download even more malware.
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Android users are being subjected to adware that claims to offer access to the GTA 6 beta. This is especially clever, as the game is unlikely to ever launch on Android, but fake apps promising access to the game continue to crop up, as shared by NordVPN as well as various Reddit users.
NordVPN downloaded one of these files and discovered that the app was an empty shell that plays a video and then requires you to download additional data. The app attempts to trick users into paying for a subscription or downloading other malware, and NordVPN traced it to a domain known for distributing banking Trojans, ransomware, and information stealers.
Even Rockstar Social Club accounts aren’t secure: phishing pages attempt to steal login information, and these accounts, quickly stolen, are often resold or used for in-game scams.
How to stay safe
The general rule is to not trust anything that doesn’t come directly from Rockstar Games, the PlayStation Store, or the Xbox Marketplace. Never download game-related content from third-party sitesbecause even a legitimate-looking site can be a scam.
Don’t trust free beta key offerseither. Follow the official social media channels of these platforms to keep an eye out for legitimate deals.
Lately, don’t share your Rockstar account details on any website other than the official website, and check the URL before typing them in.
NordVPN just rebranded its Threat Protection suite as next-generation antivirus, so if you want to stay safe with a more robust security solution, it’s worth taking a look.
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