In recent months, the artificial intelligence robot ChatGPT has been gaining attention in the tech world. However, this growing popularity has also made it a target for criminals who have developed a new scam that uses the platform as bait to steal personal data from unsuspecting Internet users.
Kaspersky’s Discovery of Fraud
Kaspersky, a leading cybersecurity company, has identified this scam and is now warning users of the risks involved. According to their article, criminals have been creating fake groups that attempt to mimic official ChatGPT accounts or tech enthusiast communities. In this environment, the criminals pretend to teach how to use the platform and suggest that people click on a link to download the program and experience the novelty.
Criminals’ Lure of $50 Balance
To further motivate potential users, the criminals promise that upon clicking, the user will gain a $50 balance to spend on the platform, making it seem like a genuine opportunity. In reality, however, ChatGPT can be tested for free via the official website. By accepting the download, Internet users are unknowingly installing a trojan steal, specifically Trojan-PSW.Win64, on their computer.
Trojan-PSW’s Data Theft
Once the trojan is installed, it will begin to steal information from accounts saved in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, and other web browsers. The victim, however, does not realize that the malicious link was installed on their computer because the installation process produces an error message that states the program could not be installed.
Geographic Reach of Scam
Disguised malware has already attacked victims in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Kaspersky states that the scammers are mainly interested in stealing cookies and login credentials for Facebook, TikTok, and Google accounts, but particularly those related to businesses. Furthermore, the trojan even attempts to obtain additional information such as the amount spent on advertising and the current balance of business accounts.
Precautions to Avoid Becoming a Victim
In order to protect yourself from this scam, Kaspersky suggests taking certain precautions. It is important to be cautious when downloading programs, especially from third-party sites. Additionally, users should use strong and unique passwords for each online service and enable two-factor authentication. It is also important to avoid accessing links or emails from unknown sources and using a reliable security solution to block any suspicious access or downloads.
