Think twice before bootlegging a PC game. The latest Battlefield 6 shooter has become bait for hackers in their attempt to infect users with malware.
On Tuesday, antivirus provider Bitdefender warned gamers to watch out for pirated versions and “trainer” cheat programs for Battlefield 6 after discovering malware circulating via such downloads. Bitdefender notes hackers were quick to pounce, releasing fake “cracked versions” of the game on torrent sites and underground forums as soon as the official Battlefield 6 became available last month.
The antivirus vendor discovered one such program called “Battlefield 6 Trainer Installer,” which can be found through Google searches. The download pretends to offer a way to cheat and modify the game’s behavior. But in reality, the trainer is designed to secretly scan a PC and steal data about cryptocurrency wallets and pilfer cookie sessions that could contain login sessions.
(Credit: Bitdefender)
Bitdefender also discovered malware circulating through fake bootleg versions of the game called “Battlefield 6.GOG-InsaneRamZes,” and “Battlefield 6 ISO image.” If installed, the program can load malware that appears to be designed to steal data from the PC.
The attacks also work by exploiting real groups—such as “InsaneRamZes and Rune,” which try to crack official PC games—by releasing pirated versions to the community. Unfamiliar users may struggle to distinguish between a genuine cracked version and a malicious fake.
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“While it’s impossible to tell how many people downloaded the malware, we observed hundreds of active seeders and leechers for the torrents, which means they’re all potential victims,” Bitdefender added.
The threat underscores how hackers routinely exploit the latest games, movies, and music to try and infect users with malware. We’ve seen this happen before with pirated versions of Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and Ariana Grande’s music. But in some good news, Electronic Arts is offering free access to play Battlefield 6 through Dec. 2 at 4 a.m. PST.
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About Our Expert
Michael Kan
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I’ve been a journalist for over 15 years. I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, where I cover satellite internet services, cybersecurity, PC hardware, and more. I’m currently based in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China, covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing 600+ stories on availability and feature launches, but also the regulatory battles over the expansion of satellite constellations, fights with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and the effort to expand into satellite-based mobile service. I’ve combed through FCC filings for the latest news and driven to remote corners of California to test Starlink’s cellular service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. Earlier this year, the FTC forced Avast to pay consumers $16.5 million for secretly harvesting and selling their personal information to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint investigation with Motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Pandemic-era shortages led me to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000. I’m now following how President Trump’s tariffs will affect the industry. I’m always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send me tips.