'Now measured in the millions': The common process being used to scam Australians
News Source
β’Sun, 6 Sep 2026 19:35:54 +0000
π° What Happened
Scammers are using fake CAPTCHA tests to trick Australians into running harmful code. CAPTCHAs are meant to prove you are human. Now criminals are turning them into traps.
The fake tests tell people to paste a script into their computer's terminal. This can bypass anti-malware protections and give hackers access to the device and browser sessions.
The Australian Signals Directorate released a warning about the rise of these scams. Experts say the losses are now measured in the millions of dollars.
π The Backstory
CAPTCHAs have protected websites from bots for years. Because users trust them, fake versions are extra dangerous.
Hammond Pearce, a cyber security expert at UNSW, said the ability to bypass anti-malware software makes these scams especially harmful.
AI is making scams more convincing, and criminals are getting creative. Experts say being sceptical online matters more than ever.
π― Why It Matters
Everyone uses CAPTCHAs online. Learning to spot fake ones can stop hackers from taking over your computer, your accounts and your money.
Scammers are using fake CAPTCHA tests to trick Australians into running harmful code. CAPTCHAs are meant to prove you are human. Now criminals are turning them into traps.
The fake tests tell people to paste a script into their computer's terminal. This can bypass anti-malware protections and give hackers access to the device and browser sessions.
The Australian Signals Directorate released a warning about the rise of these scams. Experts say the losses are now measured in the millions of dollars.
CAPTCHAs have protected websites from bots for years. Because users trust them, fake versions are extra dangerous.
Hammond Pearce, a cyber security expert at UNSW, said the ability to bypass anti-malware software makes these scams especially harmful.
AI is making scams more convincing, and criminals are getting creative. Experts say being sceptical online matters more than ever.
Everyone uses CAPTCHAs online. Learning to spot fake ones can stop hackers from taking over your computer, your accounts and your money.