[Alert] Fake ChatGPT apps and websites

ChatGPT It’s been all over the news lately, understandably so, as its ingenious uses seem limitless. In our previous two articles, we covered the what and how, as well as the impact of ChatGPT on children and education.

Unfortunately, it’s not all positive: the chatbot can also be used to write malicious code and create viruses, while researchers have also warned that cybercriminals can use ChatGPT to compose phishing emails for a fraction of the cost. more phishing emails and more cyber threats. Then there’s the issue of fake ChatGPT apps and websites.

Fake ChatGPT apps

During our investigations, we found that they multiply fake ChatGPT apps. It is important to note that it is currently NO official ChatGPT app and there is no download – this is it JUST available on the official website.

We tracked down various suspicious ChatGPT apps, some of which are malicious Trojan viruses and others PUAs (“potentially unwanted application”). PUAs are not considered malware, but they pose a lower security and privacy risk: they can slow down your device’s operating system or display unexpected and intrusive ads.

Trojans can install malware on your device and can even encrypt your data/device. A Trojan is malicious malware that can put users, user data, or devices at risk of serious harm. The ChatGPT trojans we’ve discovered aren’t actually new – just in a new guise. Previously, YouTube and Netflix were listed as “premium” apps (also fake).

“ChatGPT” Trojan app discreetly subscribes to various premium services using SMS billing fraud. While “AI photo” Trojan belongs to Spynote malware which can be used to steal files, SMS messages, call records and contacts from the target device.

In short, these are fake, harmful apps that should be avoided at all costs. There’s no reason to download a ChatGPT-related app until OpenAI releases one themselves – which they currently have NO plans.

Fake ChatGPT sites

Researchers found several suspicious ChatGPT websites and pages with fake URLs such as “chat-gpt-pc[.]online”. These malicious sites offer to download ChatGPT – even though it is browser-based only. The intention is to infect your computer with malware: don’t leave them.

Others are bogus payment sites where you claim to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus, but actually lose your money and/or compromise your data.

As with apps, stay away from these sites at all costs. Make sure you only use OpenAI’s official website:

Protect yourself from fakes

Trend Micro Mobile Security provides adequate protection against fake/malicious apps and phone malware. Download Trend Micro Mobile Security today—and defend against cyber threats with:

• Real-time web threat protection
• Cloud-based artificial intelligence Smart Protection Network™ that tracks evolving threats
• Trend Micro Pay Guard, which opens payment windows
• Anti-phishing/spam software
• Folder shields to protect your most sensitive date

We also encourage our readers to use it FREE Trend Micro Check tool and fraud detection made easy: Trend Micro Check is an all-in-one browser extension and mobile app to detect fraud, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links.

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