Technology Advisor Blog

Most of us barely notice CAPTCHA checks anymore.

You know the ones - the little box that says “I am not a robot”, or the quick image puzzle before you can move on. The little puzzle may ask you to select the images that contain traffic lights, bicycles, or crosswalks.  We see them so often that clicking through has become second nature. In fact, many people associate CAPTCHAs with extra security, not risk.

And that’s exactly why cybercriminals have started using fake CAPTCHA screens as a new way to trick people.

We recently mentioned this type of scam in a casual office conversation with a local business person, and the reaction was surprise. “I’ve never heard of that before.” That response is incredibly common - even among smart, cautious people. And that's exactly why this scam works.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why it’s effective, and what to do if you ever run into one.

What CAPTCHAs Are Supposed to Do

CAPTCHAs exist to answer a simple question:
Are you a real person, or an automated bot?

What does CAPTCHA stand for?  Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (Remember that for Trivia Night!)

Websites use them to:

• Prevent spam submissions

• Stop automated attacks

• Protect login pages and forms

Over time, we’ve learned to trust them. When we see a CAPTCHA, our brain thinks:
“This site is being careful.”
“There’s an extra layer of protection here.”

That sense of safety is what scammers are exploiting.

How Fake CAPTCHA Scams Work

A fake CAPTCHA scam usually looks completely normal at first glance.

It may appear on:

• A compromised legitimate website, or

• A malicious website designed to look trustworthy

You’ll see what looks like a standard CAPTCHA prompt. But instead of actually verifying anything, it does something very different behind the scenes.

In some cases, simply clicking the button can trigger a malicious script. In others, the CAPTCHA leads to additional “verification steps”, and that’s where the real danger shows up.

The Biggest Red Flag: Being Asked to Copy and Paste Anything

This is the most important thing to remember:

Real CAPTCHA systems do not ask you to manually copy and paste commands. Ever.

In the scams we’ve seen “in the wild,” the fake CAPTCHA instructs users to:

• Copy a string of text

• Paste it into a system box, browser window, or command prompt

• Press Enter to “finish verification”

That action can quietly install malware or give attackers access to the system.

In fact, we recently had a call from  someone in the community who fell for one of these scams - and this copy-and-paste step was the telltale sign that something wasn’t right. Unfortunately, by the time they realized it, the damage was already done.

If a CAPTCHA ever tells you to:

• Press special key combinations

• Paste anything into your computer

• Follow “manual verification steps”

That’s not security. That’s a trap.

Why This Scam Is So Effective

Fake CAPTCHA scams work because they flip our expectations.

Instead of triggering suspicion, they lower our guard. The user thinks:

“This must be safe - it’s checking that I’m human.” ✅

Cybercriminals are constantly adapting, especially because cybercrime is so profitable.   With the allure of so much money, as awareness improves around phishing emails and fake links, attackers look for new ways to catch people off guard.

Global cybercrime costs an estimate $10.5 trillion annually, and if compared to a country's GDP, that would make it the equivalent of the worlds third largest economy, behind just the U.S. and China.  Cybersecurity Ventures

CAPTCHAs are familiar, routine, and trusted, which makes them an ideal disguise.

And even people who work in cybersecurity sometimes forget that the general public hasn’t been exposed to these newer tricks yet.

How to Protect Yourself (and Your Team)

The good news is that you don’t need to become a technical expert to avoid this scam. A few simple habits go a long way.

Pause if anything feels unusual
If something looks even slightly off - the wording, the layout, the instructions -  it’s okay to stop. You don’t need proof that it’s malicious to trust your instincts.  Keep in mind, though, that with modern graphics and AI, even fake pages can look completely legitimate.

Never follow manual instructions from a CAPTCHA
No copying. No pasting. No system commands. That alone will block many of these attacks.

Keep systems and security tools up to date
Up-to-date security software can prevent malicious scripts from running, even if someone accidentally clicks something they shouldn’t.

Invest in cybersecurity awareness
The more familiar people are with common scams, the harder it is for attackers to succeed. Awareness doesn’t eliminate risk - but it dramatically reduces it.  This is a big part of why we write blog posts like this - to help raise awareness.  Help build a culture of cybersecurity awareness inside your organization.

This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared.

A Helpful Reminder for Businesses

Even cautious, tech-savvy people can be caught off guard - especially during a busy workday. These scams rely on routine, not recklessness.

Cybercriminals will continue to change tactics, because that’s how they make money. The best defense is staying informed and creating an environment where people feel comfortable pausing, asking questions, or double-checking something that doesn’t feel right.

If you or your team ever encounter something suspicious, it’s okay to ask for a second opinion. A quick conversation now can prevent a much bigger problem later.

- Ekaru | Friendly, local IT & cybersecurity for small business

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