Watch Out for Fake CAPTCHAs

Don’t fall victim to dangerous CAPTCHA scams. Learn how to identify malicious CAPTCHAs and protect yourself!

The Scenario

Scammers have started using fake CAPTCHA verification systems to trick users into executing malicious commands on their computer. These fake CAPTCHAs often mimic real verification processes, but they instruct users to press specific keys or enter commands, which can compromise their system.

Warning

This is a classic example of a phishing technique disguised as a CAPTCHA. Never follow key-press instructions from CAPTCHA-like prompts or any unexpected websites.

Red Flags to Watch For

🕵️ Strange Instructions: Legitimate CAPTCHA verifications will never ask you to press keyboard shortcuts like Windows + R or paste unknown text.
⚠️ Unfamiliar Sites: If you land on a website you're not familiar with and it asks for unusual verification steps, leave immediately.
🖥️ Key Combinations: Instructions such as Windows + R, followed by Ctrl + V and Enter are a serious red flag. This combination can be used to run harmful commands on your system.
🔍 Minimalistic CAPTCHA: Most real CAPTCHAs are sophisticated and involve selecting images or entering text. Simple prompts asking only for keyboard actions are suspect.

How to Protect Yourself

Verify the site’s URL before entering any information. If it’s unfamiliar or suspicious, leave.
Avoid executing any commands suggested by a CAPTCHA-like prompt.
Run antivirus scans regularly and keep your security software up to date.

Remember

Legitimate CAPTCHA verifications will never ask you to execute system commands. Stay vigilant and report suspicious sites to a cybersecurity authority or phishing reporting service.