A growing wave of cybercrime is exploiting one of the most familiar online security tools: the CAPTCHA. Cybersecurity researchers have warned that fake CAPTCHA scams, disguised as legitimate human verification tests, are being used to spread malware, including the notorious Lumma Stealer.
The scam mimics the well-known “I’m not a robot” checkbox or distorted text challenges, luring unsuspecting users into taking actions that compromise their devices. Instead of keeping bots out, these counterfeit pages serve as entry points for malicious code.
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How Fake CAPTCHAs Work?
CAPTCHA, short for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, was designed as a safeguard to distinguish humans from automated programs. Genuine CAPTCHAs typically ask users to identify distorted text, select images, or tick a box.
Fake CAPTCHAs, however, exploit this trust. According to CloudSEK’s Threat Research and Information Analytics Division, attackers create phishing sites hosted on content delivery networks, making them appear authentic. These sites display a counterfeit Google CAPTCHA page and prompt users to perform unusual steps, such as opening the Run dialog, pasting commands, or downloading files.
Once executed, these commands download malware, most notably Lumma Stealer, which targets Windows devices, stealing credentials, personal data, and financial information.
Warning Signs and User Precautions
Experts say that the scam is spreading through compromised websites, phishing emails, and malicious ads. Zakir Hussain Rangwala, CEO of BD Software Distribution Pvt Ltd, noted that some fake CAPTCHAs even trick users into enabling browser notifications that later deliver malicious ads.
Cyber expert Deependra Singh of Betul Police (Madhya Pradesh) explained that unlike authentic CAPTCHAs, which are seamlessly embedded on trusted websites, fake versions often appear as pop-ups or demand unrelated actions like granting notification access. Users are urged to check web addresses carefully, watching for spelling errors or unusual domains.
If a fake CAPTCHA is suspected, security professionals advise immediately exiting the page, disconnecting from the internet, running a full antivirus scan, and deleting any suspicious downloads. Changing critical account passwords from a secure device is also recommended.
With industries such as e-commerce and gaming particularly vulnerable, experts warn that one careless click could lead to severe financial loss and privacy breaches.
