Paste-based execution occurs when text copied from a webpage, message, or other source is pasted into a command prompt or terminal and run as an instruction. The copied content can look like a routine fix or verification step, while actually performing actions on the user’s device.
In cyber attacks, social engineering campaigns such as ClickFix persuade people to copy and run commands themselves, shifting the final step from malware delivery to user action. This can bypass defenses focused on suspicious downloads or browser exploits. Treat unsolicited commands with caution: verify instructions through a trusted source, understand what a command does before running it, and use security tools or organizational policies that warn about risky command execution.