The video game industry continues to grow at an accelerated rate such that esports has become more popular than ever as you can even now get a degree in gaming.
However, as in many other industries, the games world isn’t without its bad actors and there are those who seek to defraud their users. Atlas VPN has released data that reveals the most malware-infected PC and mobile games that can rob users of their sensitive data such as access to bank accounts and login credentials to various apps on their devices.
And, at the top of the list (according to the data analysis provided by Kaspersky) Minecraft is by far the most vulnerable game on desktop on mobile devices. The analysis shows that more than 130,000 PC users downloaded malware-infected Minecraft games between July 1 2021 to June 30 2022.
Similarly famous names are also targets for nefarious computer code. Roblox is second on the list with as many as 38,838 users downloading malware while Need for Speed threw up 32,314, Grand Theft Auto 31,752, and Call of Duty having 30,401 users infected through the download of third-party harmful software.
Overall, the data reveals that 371,877 PC users encountered malware by downloading the aforementioned PC games. And the news isn’t any better for mobile.
No escape from malware – whatever the platform
Incredibly, nearly 90% of malicious software targeted at mobile devices was sent using Minecraft Pocket Edition.
The analysis also shows that the majority (76.87%) of malware found in the games were distributing the infamous Trojan-PSW/RedLine Stealer virus that’s known to steal data like passwords, cookies, card details, autofill data, cryptocurrency wallet data, credentials for VPN services, and so on from a user’s browser.
This stolen data is then transferred to a remote command and control server where the attackers will have control of the victim’s personal details and attempt to defraud them of their assets.
The analysis went on to advise users to contact their banks immediately if they notice any suspicious banking activity such as foreign transactions. It also stated that the majority of issues are a result of downloading “cracked” games from unofficial third-party websites.
Many of these websites do not have a solid and reliable security check, providing a gateway for cybercriminals and fraudsters. Hopefully, the above will act as a wake-up call to those being – shall we way – less careful about what they’re installing.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
