Piracy sites are currently flooded with fake download links claiming to offer playable builds of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), but these files are packed with malware that can damage computers, according to cybersecurity experts. No playable version of the game is publicly available on the internet, despite online claims to the contrary.
Rockstar Games has faced a turbulent week, with gameplay footage leaks from GTA 6 appearing daily ahead of the planned Netflix Extended Look next Thursday. The situation escalated yesterday when a leaker or group of leakers known as CyberLeek appeared to demonstrate a playable build of the upcoming sequel. However, little has happened since, suggesting Rockstar may have taken action against the leaker.
Malware disguised as game builds
With the possibility of a playable build circulating online, piracy sites have capitalized on the situation by offering an abundance of download links to an alleged GTA 6 build. However, cybersecurity firm NordVPN's chief technology officer, Marijus Briedis, warned that these links are dangerous and should be avoided.
'Every time GTA 6 makes headlines, leaked footage spreads through re-uploads, Discord links, and unofficial mirrors, which is exactly the environment where fake ‘leak’ downloads and credential-harvesting pages thrive,' Briedis said via IGN. He added: 'Fans looking for leaks or removed clips might land on unfamiliar sites, and in that moment they trust what they find. That’s the window attackers exploit.'
This is not the first time fake GTA 6 download links have erupted on piracy sites, according to Briedis. The current wave follows recent leaks that have generated significant public interest.
AI-generated fake clips and copyright strikes
When the alleged gameplay videos emerged online, some individuals impersonating the leaker created their own clips using AI, attempting to deceive people for attention. The clips from CyberLeek have all been hit with copyright strikes, which strongly suggests they are legitimate.
Rockstar has yet to comment on the situation, but in the past, the company has not taken leaks lightly, with the last culprit being handed an indefinite hospital order. It remains unclear how the leaker obtained the footage, but they have also come under fire from Stop Killing Games, a movement fighting for consumer protections, which the leaker has also pretended to support.
GTA 6 release date and impact
GTA 6 is set to launch worldwide across PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19, 2026. In the meantime, fans are urged to avoid any links claiming to offer a playable build, as they are likely to contain malware that could compromise their devices.
