Cybercriminals targeting children’s games surged by 30% in 2024, with Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us among the most exploited. Kaspersky recommends cyber hygiene education and the use of trusted security solutions to protect young gamers.
23 September 2024 – A recent report by Kaspersky experts reveals a 30% rise in the number of unique users targeted by cybercriminals exploiting popular children’s games in the first half of 2024 compared to the last six months of 2023. Kaspersky’s analysis identified over 132,000 users affected by these malicious activities, highlighting an alarming trend in cybercrime aimed at young gamers.
The report found that between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, Kaspersky’s security solutions blocked more than 6.6 million attack attempts, with Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us being the most frequently targeted games. Of the 18 games included in the study, Minecraft led the list with over 3 million attempted attacks. Cybercriminals often use mods and cheats distributed on third-party websites to disguise malware, taking advantage of the popularity of these games.
According to Kaspersky experts, the success of these attacks is linked to recent trends in the cyberthreat landscape. Criminals are employing more sophisticated tactics, including leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to automate and personalize phishing attacks, which makes them more effective at deceiving young players. In addition, advanced phishing kits—pre-made templates for phishing pages—are becoming increasingly available on the dark web, enabling attackers to launch highly targeted phishing sites that mimic popular gaming platforms.
Scams often lure young gamers by offering desirable items, such as skins or in-game currency. Kaspersky found a scam involving the popular game Valorant, where cybercriminals used the image of well-known YouTuber Mr. Beast to attract victims. Gamers were asked to input their login details to obtain exclusive skins, thereby exposing their accounts to theft.
Another scheme involved the use of the Pokémon GO brand, where players were redirected to fraudulent websites after completing fake surveys. These sites promised free prizes, only to lead users into more dangerous scams involving fake downloads or other deceptive offers.
Vasily M. Kolesnikov, a security expert at Kaspersky, noted that attacks on children are becoming a common tactic for cybercriminals. He emphasized the importance of educating children on cybersecurity and fostering responsible online behavior to mitigate these risks.
Kaspersky recommends that parents maintain open communication with their children about online risks, implement strong passwords, and use digital parenting tools like Kaspersky Safe Kids to monitor their online activities. Installing trusted security software on children’s devices can also help prevent the downloading of malicious files.
