Minecraft is the most popular lure for security concerns, not the latest and greatest gaming systems and content.
Recent months have seen a meteoric surge in the amount of cyberthreats and attacks linked to video games, according to studies.
New Kaspersky data says gamers should be wary of phishing attempts and malware disguised as upgrades or extra features.
Minecraft vulnerabilities
Kaspersky found 25% of malicious files in Minecraft between July 2021 and July 2022, followed by FIFA (11%), Roblox (9.5%), Far Cry (9.4%), and Call of Duty (9%).
Forty percent of mobile malware instances used Minecraft as a lure, surpassing Grand Theft Auto (15%), PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (10%), Roblox (10%), and FIFA (5%).
The total quantity of dangerous and unwanted Minecraft files reduced by 36% compared to the previous year, with the number of impacted users reducing by roughly 30%. (131,005 against 184,887).
However, during the monitored time, 384,224 individuals encountered gaming-related malware and unwanted software, with 91,984 files tied to 28 major titles or series.
The company warned of cheat programmes that pretend to give new techniques for gamers to succeed but actually contain malware and harmful software, stating that 3,154 unique files of this type affected 13,689 individuals.
“The gaming business has grown over the years, and we expect to see new ways of abusing gamers next year, such as using esports,” the firm added. “That’s why it’s so crucial to protect your money, credentials, and gaming account.”