The primary driver for this trend is the cost of premium antivirus solutions. While free alternatives exist (Windows Defender, Kaspersky Free), users often seek the "Total Security" or "Internet Security" suites for features like:
: Attackers use GitHub's trusted reputation to create official-looking download pages. These pages often link to malicious executables presented as software installers or key generators. Entering an activation code - Kaspersky support
: This active campaign involves over 200 fake repositories that mimic legitimate projects. They use manipulated "commit" metrics and professional-looking README files to create a false sense of trust. Malware Payloads :