{"id":233347,"date":"2026-08-14T05:00:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T12:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=233347"},"modified":"2026-08-13T18:30:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T01:30:13","slug":"fake-the-odyssey-downloads-spreading-malware-scam-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/security-news\/fake-the-odyssey-downloads-spreading-malware-scam-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Fake \u201cThe Odyssey\u201d Downloads Are Spreading Malware: This Week in scams"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This week in scams and cybersecurity news,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Looking for a free download of this summer\u2019s biggest movie could come with something you definitely didn\u2019t ask for: <\/span>malware.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here\u2019s what to watch for.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fake The Odyssey Downloads Are Hiding Malware<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of Trojan horses&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Security researchers have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/pro\/security\/scammers-are-using-fake-odyssey-pirate-downloads-to-spread-malware-thats-more-dangerous-than-the-cyclops-and-circe-combined\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">reportedly identified malicious downloads<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> disguised as pirated copies of <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Odyssey<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, including files designed to look like high-quality movie releases.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Some fake files even <\/strong><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">use familiar video-player icons and movie-style filenames<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to appear legitimate. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But instead of opening a movie, downloading or running the file can launch malicious software capable of stealing information from the device. Other scams reportedly use fake streaming sites that ask users to enter personal or payment information to access a supposedly \u201cfree\u201d movie. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">McAfee researchers routinely see cybercriminals attach malware to the things people are already searching for, especially <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">popular movies, TV shows, games, mods, and software.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a recent example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/other-blogs\/mcafee-labs\/weedhack-minecraft-malware-as-a-service-campaign-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">McAfee Labs uncovered the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">WeedHack malware campaign targeting Minecraft players<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, which disguised malicious software as free game mods and clients. Our researchers recorded more than 116,000 infections from the campaign since January.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The media changes. The scam doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><strong>What Makes Fake Movie Downloads Dangerous?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A supposed movie file can hide:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Infostealers<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> designed to collect passwords, browser sessions, payment information, or cryptocurrency data<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trojans<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> that give an attacker access to your device<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Loaders<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> that install additional malware<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fake browser updates or extensions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> that redirect you to scams or malicious websites<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One especially obvious warning sign: <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">movies should not arrive as executable .exe files.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Legitimate video files generally use formats such as .mp4, .mkv, or .avi.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When in doubt, <em>don\u2019t download it.<\/em><\/span><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">How McAfee Protects Against Malware<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/identity-theft\/protection.htm\/?path=blogsl\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">McAfee+<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, multiple layers can help protect you when a tempting download isn\u2019t what it claims to be:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/antivirus.html\/?path=blogs\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Device Security<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> helps detect malicious apps, files, and downloads before they can compromise your device.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/learn\/web-protection\/?path=blogs\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Web Protection<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> helps block risky websites, including malicious download pages, even if you accidentally click.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/scam-detector\/?path=blogs\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Scam Detector<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0flags suspicious texts, emails, links, QR codes, and other messages that may try to direct you toward fraudulent sites.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/learn\/identity-monitoring\/?path=blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Identity Monitoring<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> alerts you if your personal information appears in known data leaks or on the dark web so you can take action quickly.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Together, these protections help address both sides of fake-download scams: <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">stopping malware before it gets onto your device and helping protect your information if criminals try to steal it.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Other Scam and Security News This Week<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here are some other breaches, scams, and cybersecurity headlines making waves this week:<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Trezor breach reportedly exposes information belonging to nearly 14,000 crypto customers.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Hardware wallet maker Trezor says a breach involving one of its shipping providers exposed personal information including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses for thousands of customers. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Scamiverse.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">McAfee\u2019s 2026 <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">State of the Scamiverse<\/span><\/i><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> predicted that <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">crypto and financial scams were likely to intensify this year<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and cryptocurrency-related messages remain among the scams McAfee Scam Detector regularly identifies and blocks. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/a91356ef-67bd-4bd9-947b-b272423f1318?syn-25a6b1a6=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(Financial Times)<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Cyberattacks continue to climb worldwide.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">New threat research found organizations experienced an average of <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2,336 cyberattacks per week in July<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a 16% increase from the previous year, while reported ransomware victims also rose sharply. Education, government, telecommunications, and other major sectors remained frequent targets. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/itbrief.co.uk\/story\/cyber-attacks-rise-16-as-ransomware-surges-in-july?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(IT Brief)<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Android malware can turn a victim\u2019s phone into part of a contactless-payment scam.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Researchers investigating the targeted <\/span>WindRelay<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> campaign say criminals impersonated banks over the phone, persuaded victims to install malicious Android apps, and then instructed them to tap their physical bank cards against their phones.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That allowed attackers to relay contactless card information in real time, with researchers reporting some attacks unfolded during calls lasting only about 13 minutes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/pro\/security\/android-users-targeted-by-new-windrelay-malware-which-can-clone-contactless-cards-in-just-13-minutes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(TechRadar)<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">This Week\u2019s Safety Tips<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:299,&quot;335559739&quot;:299}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2713 <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stream and download from legitimate sources.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> New theatrical releases appearing for free on unfamiliar websites should immediately raise suspicion.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2713 <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Check the actual file type before opening a download.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> A movie should never require you to run an .exe application.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2713 <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Never install a \u201cspecial player,\u201d browser update, or extension just to watch a movie.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Close the page and go directly to a trusted streaming service instead.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2713 <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Treat urgency and exclusivity as warning signs.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u201cWatch it before everyone else,\u201d \u201cleaked copy,\u201d and \u201climited access\u201d are designed to get you clicking before you think.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And <strong>we\u2019ll be back next week<\/strong> with more cybersecurity news and scam alerts.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week in scams and cybersecurity news,\u00a0 Looking for a free download of this summer\u2019s biggest movie could come with&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1440,"featured_media":233349,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10667,10661,13,1838],"tags":[],"coauthors":[16632],"class_list":["post-233347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-security-news","category-internet-security","category-privacy-identity-protection","category-mobile-security"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Fake \u201cThe Odyssey\u201d Downloads Are Spreading Malware: This Week in scams | McAfee Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Fake downloads and streaming sites for Christopher Nolan\u2019s The Odyssey are reportedly spreading malware and stealing personal information. Here\u2019s how to watch safely and avoid malicious downloads.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fake \u201cThe Odyssey\u201d Downloads Are Spreading Malware: This Week in scams | McAfee Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Fake downloads and streaming sites for Christopher Nolan\u2019s The Odyssey are reportedly spreading malware and stealing personal information. 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