# Fake CAPTCHA Scams

DevFeed: [Fake CAPTCHA Scams](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/fake-captcha-scams-50752.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2026/09/fake-captcha-scams.html>)

Author: Bruce Schneier

Published: 2026-09-16T11:25:26Z

Content type: news

Language: en

Sources: [Schneier on Security](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/schneier-on-security.md>)

Topics: [fake account fraud](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/fake-account-fraud.md>), [ClickFix](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/clickfix.md>)

Tags: [captcha](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/captcha.md>), [captchas](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/captchas.md>), [download](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/download.md>), [run](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/run.md>), [scam](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/scam.md>), [scams](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/scams.md>), [uncategorized](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/uncategorized.md>)

## AI overview

A fake CAPTCHA scam tricks users into downloading and running a malicious program, using familiar CAPTCHA prompts to disguise the download.

## Source excerpt

New variant of an old scam: Use the framing of a CAPTCHA to get an unsuspecting user to download and run a malicious program.