{
  "id": 3345811,
  "title": "Of course, this fake GTA VI ISO download is malware — testers reveal 113GB download is 99.99% empty zeroes, with a tiny virus attached",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/of-course-this-fake-gta-vi-iso-download-is-malware-testers-reveal",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-25T20:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/pro/of-course-this-fake-gta-vi-iso-download-is-malware-testers-reveal-113gb-download-is-99-99-empty-zeroes-with-a-tiny-virus-attached"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Leak hunters seeking the Grand Theft Auto VI game now encounter fake download files designed to infiltrate their computers. A suspicious ISO reportedly disables Windows security tools upon execution on compromised systems. Embedded within a massive 113GB file, a 50KB malicious program is allegedly hidden. Online testers have discovered that nearly all the space in the file consists of empty data, not genuine game assets. The large file size was created to appear authentic while concealing the tiny payload, which could be ransomware. The 113GB figure was fabricated to give the impression of a legitimate game release. The malicious code reportedly weakens Windows Defender and interferes with other security tools, allowing the malware to operate with fewer protections when launched on Windows. Another command adds the system drive to Windows Defender's exclusion list for scanning, while a PowerShell command terminates security software. These findings suggest that downloading the alleged ISO could expose sensitive information on a gamer's computer. Rockstar has announced the official release of Grand Theft Auto VI for November, providing a legitimate alternative to unofficial copies. Until then, claims surrounding leaked builds and supposed ISOs should be treated with caution, as they cannot be independently verified as genuine.",
  "summary": "A fake 113GB GTA VI ISO reportedly contains 99.99% empty data and a 50KB malicious payload capable of weakening Windows security.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}