Smashing Security podcast #482: This hacker leaked GTA 6 – and launched their own cryptocurrency
This episode of Smashing Security tackles the recent leak of GTA 6 gameplay footage by a hacker known as CyberLeak. The hacker, motivated by both attention and financial gain, released video clips of the game, including scenes of characters driving, swimming, and engaging in criminal activity. The leak raises questions about how the footage was obtained, with speculation surrounding whether it's genuine gameplay or repurposed existing leaks. The episode also touches on the broader issue of Rockstar Games' security vulnerabilities and the potential for leaks due to the game's immense popularity and guarded status. The episode concludes by highlighting the financial motivations behind the leak and the broader security challenges faced by Rockstar Games.
This episode of Smashing Security tackles the recent leak of GTA 6 gameplay footage by a hacker known as CyberLeak. The hacker, motivated by both attention and financial gain, released video clips of the game, including scenes of characters driving, swimming, and engaging in criminal activity. The leak raises questions about how the footage was obtained, with speculation surrounding whether it's genuine gameplay or repurposed existing leaks. The episode also touches on the broader issue of Rockstar Games' security vulnerabilities and the potential for leaks due to the game's immense popularity and guarded status.
He takes his gun and he sort of shoots the word leek, L-E-E-K — I apologise to any English teachers who are listening to this — into a wall as if to prove it really is him playing it. Leak is a legitimate word. I mean, it's a type of onion. What's wrong with that?
I mean, CyberOnion wouldn't sound great, but CyberLeak—It is a pun, Graham. Whether you approve of it or not.
Now, this would normally be a story of a hacker breaking into a company and the company, you know, sort of saying, oh, that's terribly embarrassing, and scrambling around to sort of fix the damage afterwards. We take your security seriously, blah, blah, blah.
Exactly that kind of thing. And that's obviously part of the story, but there is more to it because CyberLeaks didn't just want attention. It appears that they also wanted cash, but not through extortion, which you would expect, you know, Grand Theft Auto and Rockstar Games wallowing around in cash.
Oh, you mean saying Rockstar, pay us more.
This episode of Smashing Security is supported by ThreatLocker. Agentic AI is beginning to change the tempo of cyberattacks.
Will you be able to play it or will you just be able to watch players zooming around? I really don't know, 'cause I do believe it is possible these days to play games via Netflix. Maybe younger listeners would be able to educate us as to whether that's possible or not. At the very least, I'm sure there'll be videos to watch of it. And people are very excited about this 'cause it'll be their first chance to see GTA 6. No, it won't. No, it won't, because someone has beaten them to it. A hacker or a group, no one's quite sure. A hacker called CyberLeak has started to drop—CyberLeak. I bet that name took months to think up.
Now, this would normally be a story of a hacker breaking into a company and the company, you know, sort of saying, oh, that's terribly embarrassing, and scrambling around to sort of fix the damage afterwards. We take your security seriously, blah, blah, blah.
Exactly that kind of thing. And that's obviously part of the story, but there is more to it because CyberLeaks didn't just want attention. It appears that they also wanted cash, but not through extortion, which you would expect, you know, Grand Theft Auto and Rockstar Games wallowing around in cash.
Oh, you mean saying Rockstar, pay us more.
This episode of Smashing Security is supported by ThreatLocker. Agentic AI is beginning to change the tempo of cyberattacks.
Will you be able to play it or will you just be able to watch players zooming around? I really don't know, 'cause I do believe it is possible these days to play games via Netflix. Maybe younger listeners would be able to educate us as to whether that's possible or not. At the very least, I'm sure there'll be videos to watch of it. And people are very excited about this 'cause it'll be their first chance to see GTA 6. No, it won't. No, it won't, because someone has beaten them to it. A hacker or a group, no one's quite sure. A hacker called CyberLeak has started to drop—CyberLeak. I bet that name took months to think up.
Now, this would normally be a story of a hacker breaking into a company and the company, you know, sort of saying, oh, that's terribly embarrassing, and scrambling around to sort of fix the damage afterwards. We take your security seriously, blah, blah, blah.
Exactly that kind of thing. And that's obviously part of the story, but there is more to it because CyberLeaks didn't just want attention. It appears that they also wanted cash, but not through extortion, which you would expect, you know, Grand Theft Auto and Rockstar Games wallowing around in cash.
Oh, you mean saying Rockstar, pay us more.