Cybercriminals are using GTA 6 hype to spread malware ahead of launch, Nord VPN warns | Tech Radar

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Cybercriminals are using GTA 6 hype to spread malware ahead of launch, Nord VPN warns

Fake beta keys, Android apps, and PC installers are targeting excited fans

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Nord VPN identified malware and scam campaigns targeting GTA 6's fans

The web is flooded with fake beta keys, trojanized repacks, phishing sites

The hype around the release of GTA 6 is real, and threat actors are quick to make the most of it by targeting gamers who are disappointed by the game's delayed release. The lead-up to the release of Rockstar Games' most anticipated title makes fans vulnerable to a large number of scams, Nord VPN warns.

Nord VPN, which consistently ranks at the top of our list of the 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 are banking on victims clicking first and then thinking later, instilling a sense of urgency through every scam attempt.

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Nord VPN reveals the staggering extent of GTA 6 scams

Nord VPN has revealed that PC and Android users are the primary targets of GTA 6 scams, but the threat actors may still promise access to the game on other platforms.

The game has been confirmed to launch on the Play Station 5 and the Xbox Series X/S to start with, which threat actors are willingly abusing by promising exclusive beta keys for those consoles. Users first fill out a short form, go through a quick verification process, and then are told 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. Nord VPN downloaded one of these scam files and found it to look surprisingly legitimate, with a proper game installer that quietly launches 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/1t 5m 6cr/gta 6_is_already_on_android

Android users are subjected to adware that pretends 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 that promise access to the game are still cropping up, as shared by Nord VPN as well as various Reddit users.

Nord VPN downloaded one such file and found the app to be an empty shell that plays a video and then makes you download additional data. The app tries to get users to pay for a subscription or download further malware, and Nord VPN traced it back to a domain that's known for distributing banking trojans, ransomware, and infostealers.

The general rule of thumb is not to trust anything that didn't come directly from Rockstar Games, the Play Station Store, or the Xbox Marketplace. Never download any game-related content from third-party sites, as even a legitimate-looking site can be a scam.

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Don't trust offers of free beta keys, either. Follow the official social media channels for these platforms to keep an eye out for legit offers.

Lastly, don't share your Rockstar account details on any websites other than the official site, and check the URL before you type them in.

Nord VPN has just rebranded its Threat Protection suite as next-gen antivirus, so if you want to stay extra safe with a more robust security solution, it's worth checking out.

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Monica is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience. She writes about the latest developments in computing, which means anything from computer chips made out of paper to cutting-edge desktop processors.

GPUs are her main area of interest, and nothing thrills her quite like that time every couple of years when new graphics cards hit the market.

She built her first PC nearly 20 years ago, and dozens of builds later, she’s always planning out her next build (or helping her friends with theirs). During her career, Monica has written for many tech-centric outlets, including Digital Trends, Slash Gear, We PC, and Tom’s Hardware.

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