October 6, 2025, 10:40 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Keyboard shortcuts are usually helpful, but criminals are currently using them for malicious code. The Federal Office for Information Security warns of a trick where users copy malicious code through a captcha and start it with “Win+R,” “Ctrl+V,” and “Enter.” Experts recognize the trick, but laypeople fall for it. An antivirus program protects against the threat.
Keyboard shortcuts are typically helpful; they launch programs faster, open settings, and make work easier. The shortcut that criminals are currently spreading with a captcha is the opposite: It tricks you into unknowingly copying malicious code to the clipboard and then starting it with a key combination. TECHBOOK explains how to protect yourself from this.
These Shortcuts Can Start Malware
As the Federal Office for Information Security warns, the trick starts with a captcha. Users are supposed to click on it. This causes them to unknowingly copy malicious code to the clipboard. Then, users are instructed to enter the shortcuts “Win+R” and “Ctrl+V” followed by “Enter.” “Win+R” opens the command prompt, “Ctrl+V” pastes the malicious code, and “Enter” executes it.
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For PC experts, this is quite obvious, but laypeople still fall for the trick. An antivirus program offers protection by examining the code before execution and recognizing it as malicious.