As the new school year begins, students are gearing up for new classes and friendships and diving back into the digital world of video games.
However, this virtual playground is not as safe as it seems. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting young gamers, exploiting their enthusiasm for popular games.
This article explores the games most under attack, the nature of these threats, and how parents and young gamers can protect themselves.
The Most Targeted Games
According to a recent report by cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky, several popular games have become prime targets for cybercriminals.
The data from the global Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) highlights the games with the highest number of attack attempts from July 2023 to July 2024.
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Here is a breakdown of the most targeted games:
| 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 Legend | 8,133 |
Minecraft tops the list with over three million attack attempts, nearly double the number of attacks on Roblox in second place.
The high number of attacks on Minecraft is mainly due to the popularity of mods and cheats, which often disguise malicious software.
Common Threats and Scams
The types of threats targeting these games are varied, with downloaders, adware, Trojans, and backdoors being the most common.
Downloaders, in particular, pose a significant risk as they often masquerade as legitimate game enhancements but instead download harmful software.
Phishing scams are another prevalent threat. These scams often promise free in-game items like skins or currency, enticing young gamers to enter their account credentials on fraudulent websites.
For instance, a scam involving the game Valorant and popular YouTuber MrBeast lured players with promises of free skins, only to hijack their accounts.
The Lure of Freebies
Phishing schemes frequently exploit the allure of free in-game currency or items.
Many games operate with dual currency systems: soft currency, earned through gameplay, and hard currency, purchased with real money.
Scammers often promise free hard currency, leading players to phishing sites where they risk losing their gaming accounts and sensitive personal data.
A notable example involves Pokémon GO, where players are tricked into entering their credentials for free currency, only to be redirected to more dangerous scams targeting financial information.
Protecting Young Gamers
Parents and guardians must educate young gamers about the risks of downloading mods from untrusted sources and entering personal information on unfamiliar websites to safeguard young gamers.
Here are some actionable tips:
- Use Trusted Sources: Encourage downloading games and mods only from official platforms, such as app stores or the game’s official website.
- Educate on Phishing: Teach children to recognize phishing attempts and to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
- Install Security Software: Use reliable cybersecurity solutions that offer real-time protection against malware and phishing attacks.
- Monitor Online Activity: Keep an eye on the games and websites your children visit and discuss any unusual activity with them.
By staying informed and vigilant, parents and young gamers can enjoy the digital world safely, freeing the fun of gaming from the threats lurking online.
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