• Hacking News
    • Leaks
    • WikiLeaks
    • Anonymous
  • Tech
    • Android
    • Apple News
    • BlackBerry
    • Google News
    • Microsoft
    • Motorola
    • Nokia
    • Samsung
    • 3D
  • Cyber Crime
    • Phishing Scam
  • How To
  • Cyber Events
    • Censorship
    • Cyber Attacks
  • Security
    • Malware
  • Surveillance
    • Drones
    • NSA
    • Privacy
  • Explore
    • Gaming
    • Science
    • Viral
HackRead
  • December 9th, 2019
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
HackRead
  • Hacking News
    • Leaks
    • WikiLeaks
    • Anonymous
  • Tech
    • Android
    • Apple News
    • BlackBerry
    • Google News
    • Microsoft
    • Motorola
    • Nokia
    • Samsung
    • 3D
  • Cyber Crime
    • Phishing Scam
  • How To
  • Cyber Events
    • Censorship
    • Cyber Attacks
  • Security
    • Malware
  • Surveillance
    • Drones
    • NSA
    • Privacy
  • Explore
    • Gaming
    • Science
    • Viral
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
Home » Security » Malware » Beware of the “Grand Theft Auto V” malware mods

Beware of the “Grand Theft Auto V” malware mods

May 19th, 2015 Waqas Malware 0 comments
Beware of the “Grand Theft Auto V” malware mods
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Cyber criminals are now onto creating malware masquerading as modifications (MODS) for the Grand Theft Auto V video game.

GTA V permits players to modify their gaming environment with “mods” (modifications).

It’s all been done for good purposes until recently two of the mods – “Angry Planes” and “No Clip” – have caused warnings on popular forums for the game players.

[must url=”https://www.hackread.com/rockstar-gta-v-pc-accounts-hacked/”]2500+ GTA V PC Accounts Rumored To Be Hacked But Rockstar Denies[/must]

The No Clip mod is booted as a means to develop ghost-like ability within the game, enabling the gamer to walk through solid walls (a la Cipher from Marvel’s X-Men), while the Angry Planes mod means that gamers are hassled by aggressive pilots (somewhat like the crop duster scene from Hitchcock’sNorth by Northwest, but the added planes and bomb additions are hazardous).

grand-theft-auto-v-malware-mods-2

The modifications actually did what they claimed, but also installed a key-stroke stealing malware component which poses an acute security threat for infected Windows-system gamers.

“The installed malware has a black dove logo and has been identified as ‘fade.exe‘ or ‘Trekker.exe‘. Malwarebytes identified it as Trojan.Agent.TRK,” the firm said.

This malware is far from solely interested in game-related passwords. The whole set-up is a slightly more elusive deviation of well-worn social engineering tactics. Administrators of a GTA V forum have already issued threat warnings.

Security firm Malwarebytes have analyzed the mischievous files circulated through the scam – acknowledged by the security firm as Trojan-Agent-TRK – in their latest blog post.

Chris Boyd, a security researcher at Malwarebytes and avid gamer, told El Reg that such suspicious ad-on’s thrown towards gamers are a typical mischievous act. Boyd further added that Game modifications have been on constant target since years from an older version of GTA coming under fire from a notorious GTA: Hoodlife fake mod inclosing malware back in 2007.

It’s all greener pastures for malware authors because the series fans tend to extend their life spans in the game through modding. However, he said that Rockstar could enhance mod safety by opening up the Steam workshop to mod downloads, but it’s still unavailable as of now.

He concluded that if there is no urgency for hosting mods on Steam then gamers are bound to rely on third-party sites for downloads. It’s rather convenient for bad files to slip through on forums and fan-made websites than a service such as Steam with various checks and hidden security features making it more complex.

[src src=”via” url=”http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/05/18/gta_malware_mods_warning/”]The Register[/src]

[src src=”source” url=”https://blog.malwarebytes.org/security-threat/2015/05/beware-of-gta-5-mods-containing-malware/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social”]Malwarebytes[/src]

  • Tags
  • Games
  • Grand Theft Auto V
  • GTA
  • keylogger
  • Malware
  • MODS
  • security
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article Chinese Woman Gives Birth in Internet Cafe, keeps on surfing Web
Next article John McAfee supports his pal who found security flaw, hacked an aircraft
Waqas

Waqas

I am a UK-based cybersecurity journalist with a passion for covering the latest happenings in cyber security and tech world. I am also into gaming, reading and investigative journalism.

Related Posts
Botnet found using YouTube to illegally mine cryptocurrency

Botnet found using YouTube to illegally mine cryptocurrency

Ginp Android trojan targets banking apps & threatens 2FA/SMS

Ginp Android trojan targets banking apps & threatens 2FA/SMS

How to decrypt your data from Hakbit & Jigsaw ransomware for free

How to decrypt your data from Hakbit & Jigsaw ransomware for free

Newsletter

Get the best stories straight into your inbox!



Don’t worry, we don’t spam

LATEST POSTS
New privacy tool exposes which website leaves your data unprotected
Privacy

New privacy tool exposes which website leaves your data unprotected

1680
New Linux vulnerability puts VPN connections at risk of hijacking
Privacy

New Linux vulnerability puts VPN connections at risk of hijacking

1003
5 things you should never do when using anonymous operating systems
Security

5 things you should never do when using anonymous operating systems

1520
Israeli firm buys Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN raising privacy concerns
Surveillance

Israeli firm buys Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN raising privacy concerns

14653

HACKREAD is a News Platform that centers on InfoSec, Cyber Crime, Privacy, Surveillance and Hacking News with full-scale reviews on Social Media Platforms & Technology trends. Founded in 2011, HackRead is based in the United Kingdom.

Follow us