Beware of malware posing as 'GTA5' for PC

PC gamers, beware: that supposed torrent claiming to be a leaked PC version of the hit game "Grand Theft Auto 5" may be malware in disguise.

 

The torrent dubbed “GTA V Full PC Game + Crack” has been making the rounds of illegal download sites as a 18GB file, WCCF Tech reported.

 

"Site metrics and Seed Ratio reveal that this particular torrent has been downloaded well into the thousands. The setup file is a realistic 18 GB and has an actual setup.exe file, one that works. Basically a malicious replica of the original setup file this one doesnt give out any hint of malicious activity," WCCF Tech's Syed Muhammad Usman Pirzada said. 

 

He added that many may have fallen for it because of its "legit look" and because it is a "verified, unreported torrent and has a very high SEO ranking."

 

Those who download and run the file will be made to complete survey forms, he said.

 

"Granted the torrent was very authentic-looking, common sense should still have advised caution. Word of advice people, leaks like this usually come on Premium/Private trackers first and secondly It if ain't released, its not released," he added.

 

A separate report on “PC World” said GTA 5 is a cultural phenomenon, hitting more than US$1 billion in sales in seven days. 
 

However, it said the game has so far been for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and not yet for the PC.

 

"Be patient, fellow PC gamers. 'GTA IV' landed on PCs a few months after appearing on consoles, as have most of Rockstar’s other games ... In the meantime, you might want to stop hanging around shady download sites and start reading up on how to protect your PC against devious traps," it added. – KDM, GMA News