3 Red Flags to Watch Out for in Fake AI Tools

This information is also available on my YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/ElWCNSUxBec    

If you prefer, you can also listen to this information on my Podcast at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-gostischa/episodes/3-Red-Flags-to-Watch-Out-for-in-Fake-AI-Tools-e341vf0

AI tools are everywhere—but when they’re fake, they can nuke your device faster than your grandma clicks a phishing link. 

Here are 3 red flags that scream ‘fake AI tool’—avoid them at all costs!

🚩Red Flag #1 - Too-good-to-be-true free AI tools 🤖

Those “free for a year” jaw-droppers for ChatGPT, CapCut AI, InVideo AI, NovaLeads AI? Guess what—they often pack ransomware or info‑stealers instead. One fake ChatGPT installer hid the Lucky_Gh0$t ransomware; another zipped CyberLock ransomware in a .NET loader—yikes! 

They hit your top results with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tricks and shady ads purporting “free” AI magic. If it sounds too good—or too easy—it probably is.

🚩Red Flag #2 - AI video/image generators via social media 😲

Scrolling Facebook, LinkedIn or Reddit and seeing dozens of “AI video generators”? That’s where crooks lurk. Fake social‑media pages like “Luma Dream Machine AI” push sites that let you upload content—then serve up a ZIP with a twisted executable like “Video Dream MachineAI.mp4.exe.”

The result: Noodlophile infostealer steals your passwords, crypto wallets, cookies—and may install XWorm for remote access. 

If it wants you to download an .exe disguised as a video, don’t play along.

🚩Red Flag #3 - Double‑extension camouflage + whitespace tricks

Even the file names are dressed to trick! Fake AI tools often come in ZIPs with sneaky names like:LumaSomething.mp4⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.exe. Those blank spaces hide the real extension—so it looks like a harmless mp4, even though it's EXE.

Research shows these techniques are used heavily in campaigns like Starkveil, Noodlophile, and others since late 2024—so this isn't a glitch, it’s a purposeful disguise. 

If the file name isn’t exactly “.mp4” or ends in “.exe”, pause and think twice!

Why this matters – even for beginners:

AI’s booming—and so are these schemes. Millions are being shown fake AI tool ads daily. These aren't advanced spear‑phishing ploys—they're broad nets targeting anyone hungry for easy AI content. And once malware like infostealers or ransomware lands on your device, your data, wallet, and access get jacked.

✅ How To Stay Safe

Only download from trusted sources (official website, verified app store, reputable vendor).

Avoid CLICKBAIT ads and popups promising instant AI tools. Instead, go to the official site manually.

Watch file types carefully - no .exe files masquerading as videos. Zip files? Only from known sources.

Keep real-time protection on - good antivirus and MB‑Anti‑Exploit tools catch many of these threats early.

Check reviews & reputations - if nobody ever mentions the tool, it might be brand‑new -  or brand‑fake.

😄 Humor twist:

Think of fake AI tools like mystery-flavored candy - sweet promise on the outside, but you might chew into malware. Not the sweet treat you expected!

The AI revolution is thrilling—but the crooks are riding that wave, too. Spotting these three red flags in the most abused Cybersecurity Scams can keep your system clean and your data safe. Once you’ve mastered this (and the rest of my Cybersecurity Red Flags series), you’re ready to handle the online world with confidence—no matter the device.

Stay safe, stay secure and you can access the entire series at: https://bit.ly/3RedFlags 

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

"I'll see you again soon. Bye‑bye and thanks for reading watching and listening."