Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy will be released in just a couple of days. It is a highly anticipated game that has fans around the world waiting for it. Even before its release, it has become the best-seller on PlayStation 5 and Steam. Unfortunately, many of Harry Potter’s fans are being targeted by cybercriminals who are offering cracked versions of the game for download.
According to a recent study by Kaspersky, there are numerous websites that are offering to download Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy on PC. Unfortunately, instead of downloading the game, users are being infected with malware and unwanted software. Some of the programs that are being distributed by these websites include adware, trojan horses, and advertisements.
“The game about the world of Harry Potter hasn’t even come out yet, but it has already become a real phenomenon, talked about by many gamers around the world. It is especially popular among those who, like me, grew up with the books about the boy wizard, as well as among the younger generation. With such a huge fan base, the game has become a target for cybercriminals looking to cash in on the popularity of the world-famous tale. Our advice as always is to be alert and only download games from official app stores and don’t forget to use a trusted security solution,” comments Olga Svistunova, a security expert at Kaspersky.
Hogwarts Legacy and Gameplay
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action RPG that takes place in the world that was first introduced in the franchise’s books. In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy, players can attend classes at the wizarding school. The locations featured in the franchise’s books and movies, such as Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and Diagon Alley, will be available to players. Other areas that are yet to be seen in other media include Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff’s common rooms. Through the game’s progression, the castle’s exterior and interior will also change to match the seasons.
The story of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy takes place in the 1890s. During this time, a student starts attending Hogwarts. As players enter the school later than the others, the Ministry of Magic issues a field guide. The player character will also be able to use a mysterious ancient magic to destroy the wizarding world.
Increased attack on Gaming companies
There has been an increased number of attacks against gaming companies. Recently, a dark forum user under the alias ArkaT claimed to have access to the source code for League of Legends, a day after hackers reportedly demanded a ransom of $10 million from developer Riot Games. “The illegally obtained source code also includes a number of experimental features. While we hope some of these game modes and other changes eventually make it out to players, most of this content is in prototype and there’s no guarantee it will ever be released,” the company tweeted.
Gaming companies are also notorious for their cybersecurity practices. In addition to the game’s content, gaming companies collect various details about their users, such as their login credentials and financial information. This data can be very valuable to attackers.
Due to a large number of gamers, gaming companies are an attractive target for cybercriminals. They can easily access the data of their users, which include their financial information and login credentials. The high demand for gaming services is also a major concern for companies as it can lead to delays in their operations and financial losses.
Unpatched software is another security vulnerability that gaming companies can expose to attackers. Lack of security awareness is another issue that gaming companies face. Unlike other industries, they do not have the necessary resources and security measures to protect themselves against cyber attacks.