You searched for ChatGPT on Google, clicked on the result that appeared at the very top, and the same familiar website opened in front of you. Apparently, everything seems fine, but according to cybersecurity experts, this very moment could mark the beginning of a new scam.
According to reports, criminals are using a sponsored Google advertisement as a gateway. The advertisement takes the user to the official ChatGPT website, but a fake Custom GPT is already present there. No matter what question you ask, the same pre-prepared message appears in response.
What does the message say?
The message states that service availability on the main domain has become limited. Two options are shown ahead: upgrade to ChatGPT Plus or move to an alternative domain. The fake Custom GPT has been named “Plus 5.6”, which may appear to an ordinary user as a new model or a special feature.
The most dangerous aspect of this deception is that the user is still on the official ChatGPT domain. If they are already logged in, their account also appears exactly as it normally does. In such a situation, there appears to be no obvious reason to become suspicious.
Where is the real danger?
According to experts, the damage occurs when the user clicks on the fake backup domain or any other link provided in the message. Such links can take users to malicious websites, where malware could be installed on the computer or sensitive information could be stolen.
What should you do to stay safe?
Do not blindly trust sponsored results appearing on Google.
Do not click on links provided in unexpected messages such as “Service Availability Notice.”
Do not download any software or files from an unknown website.
The easier something appears on the internet, the more carefully it needs to be examined, because one wrong click can put an entire computer at risk.