With the release of the first trailer for Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 finally around the corner, cybersecurity experts predict an increase in scams targeting unsuspecting gamers.
The GTA franchise has long been a lucrative target for scammers — GTA 5 is one of the most malware-infected games — and threat actors are already capitalizing on the upcoming GTA 6 to steal sensitive data from unwitting victims. Most GTA 6 scams lure victims by offering early access to the popular game.
“Gamers’ community has been waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6 for a decade now, so it is natural that fans will try to get at least a trial version as soon as possible,” Marijus Briedis, chief technical officer at NordVPN, told VPNOverview. “Unfortunately, curiosity and impatience open new opportunities for cybercriminals.”
Common GTA 6 Scams
Cybercriminals trick victims into clicking on phishing links by claiming to offer a sneak peek of GTA 6. Instead of providing exclusive access to the game, these links deliver malware to devices.
“Once clicked, these links are likely to infect your device with some form of malware that can be used to track you or steal personal data. These malicious files can be hidden on a computer for a long time and do their job without visible harm,” Briedis said.
Victims may also be redirected to websites that mimic legitimate gaming platforms, where they are asked to provide their personal details and payment information to access the game.
In October, a Twitch channel masquerading as the official Rockstar Games channel was banned after falsely promising GTA 6 beta access. The channel, which had tens of thousands of viewers, claimed to offer early access to the game but was an elaborate scheme to harvest gamers’ data.
Unscrupulous content creators are also spreading fake news about GTA 6. In September, a Reddit user warned about a YouTube channel using AI tools to create videos about fake GTA 6 news.
Protecting Yourself From Gaming Scams
Threat actors take advantage of the release of popular games to launch attacks. Attackers may also entice gamers with free in-game currency or pass off malware disguised as game mods or cheats. Kaspersky warned about similar threats ahead of the release of The Last of Us on HBO earlier this year.
“Within this sphere, which hosts a plethora of personal and financial data, cybercriminals are capitalizing on enticing opportunities. They target gaming accounts to filch in-game assets, virtual currency, and ultimately sell compromised gaming accounts, often carrying real-world value,” Boris Larin, a principal security researcher at Kaspersky’s Global Research Analysis Team, told VPNOverview.
Larin said between July 2022 and July 2023, gamers attempted to download malicious files disguised as games, cheats, mods, and other software over four million times.
“Vigilance, education, and proactive measures become paramount in safeguarding not just virtual assets but the very fabric of an immersive and interconnected gaming experience,” Larin noted.
These scams are expected to become more widespread as the release of GTA 6 draws closer. Here are some cybersecurity tips to protect you from these and other gaming scams:
- Only trust official Rockstar Games announcements for release dates and downloads.
- Be skeptical of early access offers, as Rockstar typically doesn’t release public betas.
- Look out for phishing (email) scams, especially if they ask for personal information or payment.
- Avoid downloading mods or cheats from unverified sources, as these can often contain malware.
- Consider enabling two-factor authentication on all gaming-related accounts for an added layer of security.
Stay safe out there, gamers!
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