Scammers distribute fake Claude installers with malware

New trend on the dark side of the internet: scammers create fake websites for Claude, ChatGPT, and other popular AI tools, then distribute malicious "installers" through spam and social media. The inattentive user clicks a link, thinking they're downloading an interesting AI assistant — and gets malware.

How the Attack Works

The scheme is simple but effective. Scammers create websites that look almost identical to the original claude.com — same logos, colors, text. But the domain name differs by one or two letters: `claudde.com`, `claud3.com`, `claде.com` (with Cyrillic characters instead of Latin). Such typos are easy to miss if you're in a hurry. Links to fake sites are distributed through spam mailings, fake accounts on LinkedIn and Telegram, and search results via SEO manipulation. The victim clicks — and sees a beautifully designed download page with a "Download Installer" button. The file downloads, the user runs it — and instead of Claude, a trojan installs.

What's Inside the Fake Installer

The contents depend on the hacker's skill. In simple cases, it's an ordinary trojan that steals account credentials and saved passwords from the browser. In more complex cases — a modular malware that can download additional components: spyware, crypto-miner, ransomware. The cunning lies in disguise. While the malware runs in the background, the user sees a Claude installation window, waits a few minutes, gets a success message. Everything looks normal. But in the background, malicious processes are already running and hidden.

• Trojan for stealing passwords and cookies
• Spyware that logs keystrokes and screenshots
• Crypto-miner consuming your PC's electricity
• Backdoor for hackers' remote access
• Ransomware that encrypts files for ransom

How Not to Fall for It

The main rule — download AI tools ONLY from official sources. For Claude, that means: web application claude.ai (browser only, nothing to install), mobile app from App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android), source code and API at github.com/anthropic-ai (for developers).

The second rule — don't be lazy about checking the link before clicking. Hover over the button, look at the bottom left corner of your browser — what URL is shown there? If it's not claude.ai and not anthropic.com — don't click.

The third rule — pay attention to details. Fake websites are often poorly made: typos in Russian translation, strange design, lack of HTTPS (no green lock next to the address in your browser). Official claude.ai always uses a secure connection.

What This Means

As AI tools grow in popularity, so do attacks on users. Scammers understand that people want to try Claude or ChatGPT, and they use this desire as a hook for distributing malware. That's why the main shield is vigilance and a simple rule: links from social media and emails are enemies, the official website is a friend.