Fake AI Tools Via Google Ads

⚠️ QUICK DESCRIPTION
Threat actors are abusing Google Ads and fake Claude “Artifact” project pages to trick users into downloading malicious installers disguised as AI tools.
These downloads deploy stealers, RATs, and backdoors — all while appearing to be legitimate AI productivity software.

💀 THE THREAT
• Fake Claude “Artifact” project pages delivering malware
• Malicious Google Ads redirecting users to trojanized installers
• Attackers impersonate AI tools to gain trust
• Payloads include stealers, RATs, and backdoors
• Malware hidden inside fake setup files
• Campaign targets users searching for AI tools or templates
👁️ WHY IT’S DANGEROUS
• Google Ads give malicious links top‑of‑page visibility
• Fake Claude pages look identical to real ones
• Users trust AI‑related downloads and templates
• Malware executes with full user privileges
• Attackers gain access to credentials, cloud accounts, and files
• Hard to detect — victims think they installed a real AI tool
🔥 POTENTIAL FALLOUT
• Stolen passwords, cookies, and authentication tokens
• Compromised Google, Microsoft, and business accounts
• Remote‑access takeover of victim devices
• Data exfiltration and cloud account breaches
• Ransomware or secondary malware deployment
• Identity theft and long‑term account compromise
🛡️ HOW TO DEFEND
• Download Claude tools ONLY from official Anthropic domains
• Avoid clicking sponsored Google Ads for software
• Verify URLs before downloading any AI‑related tool
• Use EDR to detect malicious installers and sideloading
• Block newly registered domains at the network level
• Train users on AI‑themed phishing and fake tool campaigns
Enable MFA on all cloud and email accounts