- NordVPN identified malware and scam campaigns targeting 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 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, NordVPN warns.
NordVPN, 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.
NordVPN reveals the staggering extent of GTA 6 scams
NordVPN 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 PlayStation 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. NordVPN 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.
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 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 makes you download additional data. The app tries to get users to pay for a subscription or download further malware, and NordVPN traced it back to a domain that’s known for distributing banking trojans, ransomware, and infostealers.
Even Rockstar Social Club accounts aren’t safe: phishing pages attempt to steal login credentials, and those accounts, quickly stolen, 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 any game-related content from third-party sites, as even a legitimate-looking site can be a scam.
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.
NordVPN 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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