# Fake OpenAI Codex download tricks macOS users into installing malware

> Source: <https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/08/25/fake-openai-codex-download-macos-users/>
> Published: 2026-08-25 12:40:44+00:00

A malware campaign using a sponsored search ad and a fake OpenAI Codex download page to trick macOS users into pasting a malicious command into Terminal has been uncovered by Cato Networks. It’s a variation of ClickFix, a popular social engineering technique that persuades victims to execute the infection step themselves rather than opening a malicious file. The attack starts with a sponsored search result for queries such as “codex macos download.” The ad appears … [More ](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/08/25/fake-openai-codex-download-macos-users/)

The post [Fake OpenAI Codex download tricks macOS users into installing malware](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/08/25/fake-openai-codex-download-macos-users/) appeared first on [Help Net Security](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com).