That fake Grand Theft Auto VI demo is actually just malware

Key Takeaways

• In Brief Posted: 8:48 AM PDT · August 25, 2026 Image Credits:Leon Neal / Getty Images In the long wait for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI,
• 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 ea
• 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

In Brief

Posted:

8:48 AM PDT · August 25, 2026

**Image Credits:**Leon Neal / Getty Images

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.

The fake Rockstar games website with a malware downloader.**Image Credits:**TechCrunch (screenshot)

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What is That fake Grand Theft Auto VI demo is ac?

Grand Theft Auto fans, eager for news about one of the most anticipated video games of all time, appear especially vulnerable to this new cyberattack.

Originally reported by TechCrunch. Enhanced and optimized for search by TechVeb.