I've started having this strange issue where every time I try to copy and paste a link, it ends up being something totally different. For example, I copied a link for Escape from Tarkov on Steam, but when I pasted it, it changed to a link for a "free" OMSI-2 install that was actually a virus site! I even tried copying a YouTube link, and that pasted the same sketchy RDR2 link. I'm worried that my PC might be hacked or infected with something. I'm using Windows 11 and the Chrome browser, and I've attached some links for reference. Please do not visit those sites!
4 Answers
Malware that targets clipboard data can definitely intercept your copies and replace them. If you haven't already, make sure to use a strong antivirus and avoid having multiple antivirus programs running simultaneously, as that can cause conflicts!
First off, you should definitely run a malware scan on your PC. It sounds like you might have some kind of malware that's hijacking your clipboard and replacing your links with malicious URLs. You can check out tools like AdwCleaner or Bitdefender for a good free scan!
Have you tried checking your clipboard history? You can do this by pressing Windows key + V. It might give you a clue about what's being copied. Also, when you paste, hold down Shift with Ctrl + V and see if it makes any difference. Does this issue happen across different programs and browsers, or just one?
Your computer is likely infected with something shady. It's possible that the malware is intercepting what you copy and replacing it with their own links. Definitely back up your data and run a thorough malware scan as soon as you can.
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