New Cyber Attack Alert: “I Am Not a Robot” CAPTCHA Can Be Dangerous
CAPTCHA systems, those familiar tests that ask us to confirm we’re not robots, have become less common thanks to browser extensions and Apple’s automatic verification feature on iOS, which bypass these checks seamlessly. However, CAPTCHAs still appear occasionally—often enough that most users don’t think twice before interacting with them. That complacency is exactly what the notorious Fancy Bear hacking group is exploiting in its latest cyber campaign.
How the Attack Works
According to CERT-UA (Ukraine’s Computer Emergency Response Team), clicking the “I am not a robot” checkbox during this campaign triggers a malicious PowerShell command, which is copied to the user’s clipboard without their knowledge. This command is part of an advanced phishing scheme designed to infiltrate targeted systems.
Fancy Bear, also known as APT28, is a Russian state-sponsored threat group distinct from APT29 (a.k.a. Midnight Blizzard), another hacking group with a history of cyber attacks. Both groups have been linked to politically motivated campaigns, including ongoing attacks against Ukrainian entities, as confirmed by Google’s Threat Analysis Group and Mandiant.
Mitigating the CAPTCHA Cyber Attack Risk
While this particular attack focuses on Ukrainian local government employees, the technique could easily spread to other campaigns targeting a broader range of victims. With the methodology now exposed, other threat actors may adopt it to execute similar attacks, making it important for everyone to understand how to stay protected.
The initial phase of this attack begins with a phishing link—don’t click it. If a suspicious CAPTCHA dialog box pops up after clicking a link, it’s a clear sign of a malicious attempt. But the real danger starts when users follow additional steps prompted by the malware.
The attack script guides the victim through these steps:
- Press Win + R to open the Run command prompt.
- Press Win + V to paste the malicious command into the prompt.
- Press Enter to execute the command, installing the malware.
That’s a lot of interaction required from the user—more than a typical phishing attack. This scheme relies heavily on the target’s trust and willingness to comply with unusual instructions. If you ever encounter a situation like this, stop and ask yourself: When have I ever been asked to do something like this before? For 99.9% of users, the answer will be never.
Lessons in Cyber Awareness
While new tools like AI-enhanced phishing make attacks seem more sophisticated, most still rely on classic deception. This campaign is a reminder to stay vigilant: don’t let work pressures or urgent-looking messages push you into risky actions. Think critically, and remember that even state-sponsored hackers rely on tricking their victims into taking unnecessary steps.
Stay Safe—Prevention is Key
Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid engaging with unfamiliar links or unusual CAPTCHA dialogs. Even if an attack seems targeted at another region or group, cybercriminals are always looking for new opportunities to exploit. Staying alert and maintaining healthy skepticism can help keep even the most advanced hackers at bay.
