Kaspersky reports a sharp rise in cyberattacks targeting gamers in 2023

Cybercriminals exploited this vast community to access personal data, launching a range of attacks, including web vulnerabilities, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, cryptocurrency mining, and complex Trojan or phishing campaigns.

Key points of Kaspersky study:

• Between July 2022 and July 2023, Kaspersky detected 4,076,530 attempts to download files disguised as popular games and game-related software. These incidents affected 192,456 users worldwide.
• The most targeted game was Minecraft, accounting for 70.3% of all alerts and impacting 130,619 players. Roblox was the second most targeted, contributing to 20.4% of alerts affecting 30,367 users.
• Mobile gamers, comprising nearly 40% of the world's population, also faced threats. Kaspersky documented 436,786 attempts to infect mobile devices, impacting 84,539 users. Minecraft enthusiasts were primary targets, with 90.4% of attacks focused on them.
• SpyNote, a spy Trojan distributed as a mod among Roblox users on Android, exhibited alarming spying capabilities, including keylogging, screen recording, and impersonation of Google and Facebook apps.
• Phishing and counterfeit distribution pages continue to be significant threats. Cybercriminals often disguise malicious software as popular games, distributed through third-party websites offering pirated versions.

This surge in cyberattacks within the gaming community underscores the importance of cybersecurity awareness and protection for gamers worldwide.

To stay safe while gaming, Kaspersky recommends:

• It is safer to download your games from official stores like Steam, Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore only. Games from these markets are not 100 % secure, but at least they are checked by store representatives and there is some kind of screening process: not every app can be made available in these stores.
• If you wish to buy a game that is not available through the main stores, purchase them from the official website only. Double-check the URL of the website and make sure it is authentic.
• Beware of phishing campaigns and unfamiliar gamers. Do not open links received by email or in a game chat unless you trust the sender. Do not open files you get from strangers.
• Do not download pirated software or any other illegal content, even if you are redirected to it from a legitimate website.
• A strong, reliable security solution will be a great help to you, especially if it will not slow down your computer while you are playing, but at the same time, it will protect you from all possible cyberthreats. For example, Kaspersky Total Security works smoothly with Steam and other gaming services.
• Use a robust security solution to protect yourself from malicious software and its activity on mobile devices, such as Kaspersky Internet Security for Android.