That fake Grand Theft Auto VI demo is actually just malware

In the long wait for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, an open-world game about crime, some in the gaming community are being targeted by cybercriminals in the real world.

Fans are still waiting for the game more than a decade after the release of GTA 5, which sold more copies than any game ever, except for Minecraft. Now, after multiple GTA 6 delays and with some fans desperate for any scrap of news, hackers are using the cover as a perfect opportunity to target eager gamers.

Cybercriminals have created fake websites impersonating Rockstar, the developer behind GTA 6. These websites advertise a playable GTA 6 demo — but no legitimate demo exists. Once the unsuspecting gamer goes to download the on the “Play Now” button, they download a file that looks like a game installer, but is actually malware, according to the cybersecurity company Malwarebytes.

The malware is an information stealer that is designed to find and take a victim’s passwords, cookies, and logged-in sessions stored in their web browser. These attacks can in some cases allow hackers to log-in as if they were the account holder, even when protected by multi-factor authentication.

After multiple delays, GTA 6 is expected to release on November 19, 2026. On Thursday, Netflix will air an extended look at the game, which could perhaps answer some questions about the legitimacy of various leaks.

A relevant reminder as always: Don’t download stuff if you aren’t sure it comes from a reliable source.