It was one of the biggest launches of a video game in years, and had press coverage and sales comparable to Hollywood films.
However not everyone owns a PS4, and therefore could not own Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA V), and now rumours have begun that claim that Rockstar are launching a PC version. Naturally this anticipation has led to spam emails being sent offering a “GTA 5” PC beta test.
According to IBTimes, leaked footage of the game may have also appeared online in mid-January, which apparently showed game play from a PC version of “GTA V.” The video was quickly removed, with YouTube claiming copyright infringement from NYC-based Take-Two Interactive, the publisher who owns Rockstar.
In the emails, an alleged .ZIP file opens an application that reads “Your promo code in app rockstargames.com,” which then directs users to a backdoor entitled BKDR_ANDROM.ATG. opening this will give an attacker access to your computer.
According to Kotaku.com, the emails do not use Rockstar imagery and fancy banner images, instead just using plain text and saying that the recipient “You invited beta tester GTAV to Windows”.
Trend Micro identified the malware as called BKDR_ANDROM.ATG. In a message to IGN, Trend Micro, said it did not have an indication of how many people this had caused problems for.