GTA 6 release hype may threaten cybersecurity, suggest analysts

The GTA 6 release date was originally going to be some time in Fall 2025, but Rockstar Games has delayed the long-awaited title to May 2026. This did cause quite a bit of disappointment within the gaming community, but the excitement doesn't seem to have taken much of a hit considering the reception of its second trailer and screenshots.

However, all of this hype might pose a threat to cybersecurity. Researchers and analysts at Kaspersky, a well-known cybersecurity firm and anti-virus provider, suggest that the title's branding could be used to lure individuals into downloading malware on their systems.

"With the anticipated release of GTA VI in 2026, we cannot rule out a surge in attack attempts, as threat actors will likely exploit the hype by spreading fake game installers, early access offers or beta invites to lure users into downloading malware."

This speculation is based on the findings of an analysis conducted by the company, which basically aimed to identify the names of video game franchises that are often exploited to lure gamers into downloading malicious software.

Kaspersky analysts suggest GTA 6 hype might be used to lure gamers into downloading malware

According to the Kaspersky report in question, Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft, and Call of Duty are among the top three most exploited brands in terms of cyberattack attempts. The report further stated that 4,456,499 attack attempts featuring malicious software and unwanted files masked as Grand Theft Auto content were detected in the analysis.

Given that GTA 6 is possibly the most-anticipated video game there has ever been so far, those not cautious enough could potentially be at risk to cyberattacks in this regard.

We already see a lot of ads on the internet claiming to provide free GTA 5 download links for Android and iOS devices. However, Rockstar Games has not released any such ports of the title, so the analysts' concern is valid. Gamers will have to be very careful to avoid being tricked into potential scams that exploit the names of big franchises like Grand Theft Auto.

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Also check: 5 wild GTA 6 storyline details that reportedly got axed

PC gamers should especially be cautious of such ads or download links as Rockstar has not announced a GTA 6 PC port just yet. The upcoming title is only confirmed for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S as of this writing. No early access or demo versions have been mentioned or even hinted at officially either so far.

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About the author

Suyash is an Esports and Gaming journalist at Sportskeeda who specializes in Rockstar Games' GTA franchise. Suyash uses in-depth research and knowledge of his immense experience with the game series to ensure readers have access to the most reliable information. His insightful content pieces have raked in more than 5 million views in just a little over a year's time.

Suyash holds a B.Tech degree and ventured into the world of gaming at a young age through the Prince of Persia Sands of Time trilogy. However, upon encountering GTA Vice City’s 1980s aesthetic, music, and vintage cars, he became enamored with the game, leading him to explore the rest of the franchise.

Suyash prefers solo titles to multiplayer, especially ones with a well-crafted story and character arcs. He admires journalist Jason Schreier for the respect he commands in the industry and the reliability of his news pieces. To ensure the accuracy of his own pieces, he checks multiple reputable sources and insiders.

If he were to recommend a game to a skeptic, it would be Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series. When he’s not roaming the streets of Los Santos in GTA V, you can find him playing football, watching movies, or working out.

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Edited by Abu Amjad Khan