Hackers are increasingly targeting young gamers (children, teenagers), exploiting their enthusiasm for popular games. Here we will look at the games that are most frequently attacked and some ways to protect young gamers.
Which games are most targeted by hackers?;
According to a recent report by Kaspersky, several popular games have been targeted by malicious hackers.
Kaspersky researchers studied the games with the highest number of attack, from July 2023 to July 2024.
See also: French Red Art Games fell victim to cyberattack
These were:
| Game Name | Number of Attack Attempts |
| Minecraft | 3,094,057 |
| Roblox | 1,649,745 |
| Among Us | 945,571 |
| Brawl Stars | 309,554 |
| Five Nights at Freddy's | 219,033 |
| Fortnite | 165,859 |
| Angry Birds | 66,754 |
| The Legend of Zelda | 33,774 |
| Toca Life World | 28,360 |
| Valorant | 28,119 |
| Mario Kart | 14,682 |
| Subway Surfers | 14,254 |
| Overwatch 2 | 9,076 |
| Animal Crossing | 8,262 |
| Apex Legends | 8,133 |
Minecraft tops the list with over three million attack. The high number of attacks on Minecraft is mainly due to the popularity of mods and cheats, which often disguise malware.
Common Threats
The most common threats targeting the above games are related to downloaders, adware, trojans, and backdoors. Downloaders, in particular, pose a significant risk, as they often masquerade as legitimate gaming services, but instead infect devices with malware.
See also: Fake game cheat spreads info-stealer malware (to gamers and their friends)
Phishing emails are another widespread threat. These scams often promise free in-game items (skins or currency) and convince young gamers to enter their account credentials on fraudulent websites.
Attackers may also pose as teammates or game developers to trick young gamers into sharing personal information or downloading malware disguised as game updates.
How can gamers protect themselves from these threats?
Download games from trusted sources: Download video games and mods only from official platforms, such as app stores or the game's official website.
Be aware of phishing scams: Pay special attention to messages and emails that promise offers that seem too good to be true.
Use security software: Use reliable cybersecurity solutions that offer real-time protection against malware and phishing.
Monitor online activity: Monitor games and websites for any unusual activity.
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See also: YouTube video game hacks contain malware links
By staying informed and vigilant, parents and young gamers can enjoy games safely!
Additionally, game developers and publishers should prioritize measures cybersecurity to protect their users from potential threats. This includes regular software updates, implementing strong authentication , and conducting security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities in game code.
As technology advances and new video games continue to emerge, it is important for the gaming industry to stay informed about the latest cyber threats and adapt accordingly
Source: gbhackers.com
