In the world of the internet, dangers lurk around every corner - and cyber criminals are always on the hunt for new, creative ways to deceive us. One particularly perfidious scam that is currently doing the rounds uses a familiar element that almost every internet user knows: the "I'm not a robot" captcha. But there is more to it than meets the eye.

What is behind the new scam?

Hackers have developed a clever trick that makes us believe that we only have to go through a simple security protocol. In reality, however, the user is being lured into a trap. How does the whole thing work?

1. The bait and switch: an enticing website You land on a website that promises content that almost everyone is looking for - be it a movie, music or exciting news. The site seems legitimate, but first glance is deceptive.
2. The familiar "I am not a robot" captcha Just like on many other sites, you will be asked to confirm that you are not a robot. We've all seen this request countless times and simply done it. But here's the trap: after confirmation, a command is suddenly copied to your clipboard - unnoticed and without your knowledge.
3. The secret installation of the malware In the next step, you are supposed to paste your clipboard into a "Run" window, which is opened by a key combination. This is where the monstrous happens: This action secretly installs malicious code on your computer. Without you even realizing it.

What are the dangers?

This scam is not just a simple trick, but a serious security risk. The malware that gets onto your system unnoticed in this way can be incredibly dangerous. It steals passwords, bank details and even personal files. The "Lumma Stealer", a Trojan that specifically searches for confidential information and transmits it to the attackers, is currently particularly widespread.

The danger posed by this type of malware is enormous. If you think you have a secure password, you could quickly be proven wrong if the criminals gain access to your data.

How do you protect yourself properly?

The most important rule: Be skeptical! If a website asks you to copy a command into the "Execute" window, you should be alarmed immediately. Do not do it! Always avoid following unknown instructions and do not allow yourself to be tempted into questionable actions.

But even apart from this particular scam, there are basic measures you should take to protect your data. A key point is the choice of your passwords. Never use simple, easy-to-guess passwords or repeat the same ones for different accounts. If hackers crack a single password, they may have access to all your online accounts.

The use of a password manager

A password manager is not only practical, but also necessary when it comes to security. It creates a unique, strong password for each account and stores it securely. So you don't have to worry about remembering every password - the password manager does it for you. In tests, NordPass from Nord Security has stood out in particular, with a "very good" rating. Using a password manager is one of the simplest and most secure methods of protecting yourself against data loss and theft.

We can all fall victim so easily - the digital world is more dangerous than it seems!

Let's be honest - who would have thought that the familiar "I'm not a robot" captcha would become a real danger? Sure, many of us simply click through it without giving it much thought. But this is exactly where the danger lies. What has long been considered a simple standard procedure in the world of cyber security is now being cleverly abused by criminals. If this scam shows us one thing, it's that we can never be too careful in the digital world. So anyone who continues to believe that tricks like this only happen to other people should quickly change their mind - or click faster!