Today, August 29, is International Gamer’s Day. According to Statista, the gaming community in Europe has around 715 million users. Worldwide, their number exceeds 3 billion. On a day that many will use to amuse themselves with their favorite video games, Check Point Software Technologies, the world’s leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, reminds us of patent cyber threats.
The truth is, the games industry has already outstripped the film industry, and the coronavirus pandemic has fueled its growth. According to IDC, gaming revenue reached $ 179 billion in 2020. Now, where the money is, there are malefactors.
The latest data from Check Point Software Technologies indicates an overall increase in cyberattacks against organizations. In the semi-annual report for 2021, growth in the EMEA region was 36%, the highest in the world. And gamers often become a channel for attacks or blackmailing organizations.
The victims of ransomware and ransomware methods include Capcom, the creator of the legendary Street Fighter, Mega Man, Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and Monster Hunter franchises, and CD PROJEKT RED, the company behind games like The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077. More recently Electronic Arts, one of the largest gaming companies in the world, faced an attack that resulted in data and source code being stolen.
Large companies are not the only victims of many victims – users are also faced with cyberattacks. The huge community of gamers, users of modern technologies, with experience in microtransactions and online payments, is a very attractive target for cybercriminals.
In addition, most games have microphone and camera access, which means that in the event of a successful attack, cybercriminals have immediate access to a large amount of sensitive information. However, the biggest problem is account theft. Cybercriminals are actively looking for vulnerabilities that allow them to gain control over accounts and thus gain access to bank details and other sensitive data. The situation is aggravated by the fact that often the victim does not realize that he is being robbed, since the amounts are withdrawn in small amounts.
Phishing is another trick that gamers can’t get away from. Attackers try to lure victims with tempting rewards and bonuses and then try to steal login credentials from fake websites.
Check Point warns of vulnerabilities that rule the gaming world. In 2019, an investigation team denounced the security weaknesses of Fortnite that allowed hackers to spy on activity, steal accounts, data, and money. Most recently, in 2020, the target was the online gaming platform Steam, with a set of vulnerabilities that could affect the performance of players and servers.
Safety tips for game fans
- Use two factor authentication: it is important to minimize the ongoing threat posed by cyber attacks. If enabled, you must have a specific security code to sign in to a new device. This is an easy way to save players from the hassle.
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- Regular updates: It is important that the operating system and all applications are regularly updated to address any potential security flaws first.
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- Never download from unofficial stores. Aside from informal stores, established suppliers also require caution. Often, the official stores themselves have malware-laden apps that don’t follow security procedures. It is critical to protect mobile devices with solutions that proactively prevent threats. THE Check Point Harmony Mobile protects corporate mobile devices from cyber attacks, providing real-time protection against even the most sophisticated threats. already ZoneAlarm Mobile Security Protects mobile devices from ransomware, data theft, and potentially harmful Wi-Fi networks.
