- NordVPN identified malware and scam campaigns targeted at GTA 6’s fans
- The web is flooded with fake beta keys, trojanized repacks, phishing sites
- PC and Android users are the main targets
The hype surrounding the release of GTA 6 is real, and threat actors are quick to make the most of it by targeting players who are disappointed by the game’s delayed release. The run-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 sites and even Android adware pretending to be a “GTA 6 beta” app.
Attackers rely on victims to click first and think later, instilling a sense of urgency with each scam attempt.
NordVPN Reveals The Staggering Scale Of GTA 6 Scams
NordVPN has revealed that PC and Android users are the primary targets of GTA 6 scams, but the threat actors can still promise access to the game on other platforms.
The game has been confirmed to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S initially, which threat actors willingly abuse by promising exclusive beta keys for those consoles. Users first fill out a short form, go through a quick verification process, and are then prompted to either 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 the actual game. NordVPN downloaded one of these scam files and found it to look surprisingly legitimate with a proper game installer quietly launching a trojan in the background. The malware can modify your PC’s RAM, connect to external servers and download even more malware.
gta from r/GTA/comments/1t5m6cr/gta6_is_already_on_android
Android users are exposed to adware that pretends to offer access to GTA 6 beta. This is especially smart since the game is unlikely to ever launch on Android, but fake apps promising access to the game keep popping up, as shared by NordVPN as well as various Reddit users.
NordVPN downloaded one such file and found the app to be an empty shell that plays a video and then prompts you to download additional data. The app tries to get users to pay for a subscription or download additional malware, and NordVPN traced it back to a domain known to distribute banking trojans, ransomware and info stealers.
Even Rockstar Social Club accounts aren’t safe: Phishing sites try to steal login credentials, and these quickly stolen accounts are often resold or used for in-game scams.
How to stay safe
The general rule of thumb is not to trust anything that didn’t come directly from Rockstar Games, the PlayStation Store, or the Xbox Marketplace. Never download game-related content from third-party websitesas even a website that looks legit can be a scam.
Don’t trust offers of free beta keyseither. Follow the official social media channels of these platforms to keep an eye out for legitimate offers.
Eventually, do not share your Rockstar account information on sites other than the official site, and check the URL before typing them in.
NordVPN has just rebranded its Threat Protection suite as next-generation antivirus, so if you want to be extra safe with a more robust security solution, it’s worth checking out.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
