Report Reveals Surge In Cyberattacks Targeting Young Gamers

Kaspersky experts have released a new report detailing the increasing risks that young gamers face online.  The report, based on data from Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), reveals a significant increase in attacks targeting children’s popular games, with cybercriminals using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive their victims.

According to the report, Kaspersky security solutions detected more than 6.6 million attempted attacks targeting young gamers from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The most popular games exploited by cybercriminals included Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us.

The report also found that the number of targeted users surged by 30 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023. This increase can be attributed to several factors, including the growing popularity of online gaming among children, and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics.

Among the most exploited games, Minecraft remains a top target, with over 3 million attacks detected. Following close behind were Roblox, with more than 1.6 million attack attempts, and Among Us, which saw nearly a million attack attempts during the analyzed period.

The most common threats associated with these games were adware and malicious downloaders, which can easily disguise themselves as game-related content, and trick young users into installing them.

Specifically, one of the most common scams used by cybercriminals is the offer of free in-game items, such as skins or currency. These offers often lead victims to malicious websites or downloads. Another tactic is the use of phishing pages that mimic popular gaming platforms to trick users into revealing their personal information.

One example involved using Pokémon GO, where users were asked to enter their gaming credentials and complete fake surveys before being redirected to fraudulent websites.

Kaspersky experts believe that the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal attacks is due in part to the use of automated tools and artificial intelligence. These technologies allow cybercriminals to create more convincing and personalized phishing campaigns.

Kaspersky advises parents to stay informed about online threats, communicate openly with their children, and set clear rules. They suggest the Cybersecurity Alphabet for education. Additionally, Kaspersky states that installing trusted security software on gaming devices helps prevent malicious downloads and ensures safety.