Need to be vigilant about cyber attacks targeting young gamers

According to information shared by Kaspersky experts, in the first half of 2024, the number of users targeted by cybercriminals using popular children's games as bait increased by 30% compared to the second half of 2023, and after analyzing the potential risks of young gamers, researchers discovered that more than 132,000 users had become targets of cybercriminals.

Parents need to have reasonable solutions for children playing games.

Kaspersky studied threats disguised as popular children's video games and analyzed the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. During this period, Kaspersky security solutions detected more than 6.6 million attacks using children's game brands as bait.

Of the 18 games selected for study, the majority of attacks involved familiar titles like Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us.

According to Kaspersky statistics, during the period chosen for research, more than 3 million attacks were carried out under the “camouflage” of Minecraft.

The popularity of Minecraft makes it an attractive attack tool for cybercriminals. Cybercriminals “take advantage” of gamers’ demand for cheats and mods distributed through third-party websites, which disguise malware under the “cover” of game applications to trick players into downloading them.

On the other hand, cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate and personalize phishing attacks, making it easier to fool young gamers. Advanced phishing toolkits such as pre-generated fake page templates created with automated tools are constantly appearing on the dark web.

One of the most common scams targeting young gamers today is the offer to receive new “skins” for their characters. “Skins” are usually costumes or armor that enhance skills or power. Some “skins” are quite popular, while others are very rare, becoming sought-after items in the gaming community.

Kaspersky experts have discovered a scam that uses both the popular game Valorant and popular YouTuber Mr. Beast.

Scammers use Mr. Beast's image to attract children's attention, luring victims into traps.

To receive Mr. Beast's exclusive "skin", cybercriminals ask victims to provide their account username and password, thereby stealing personal information.

An example of a fake site, using Mr. Beast's image as bait to lure children

Another popular scam that gamers are likely to fall for is the alluring offer of free virtual currency to use in the game. In the newly discovered scam, which takes advantage of the Pokémon GO brand, cybercriminals ask users to enter their account login name and then take a survey to prove they are not an automated bot.

After completing the survey, users are redirected to a fake website, often promising prizes or free gifts.

Scammers are not actually after personal data like credit card details, but rather use the guise of the game to lead users into another scam, such as downloading fake software, apps, files, signing up for rewards, or other offers.

This whole process is an elaborate ploy to redirect users to more dangerous scams, under the guise of a valid verification step.

Examples of scam games that exploit the Pokémon GO brand

“During our research, we have seen that attacks targeting children are becoming an increasingly popular modus operandi for cybercriminals. That is why educating children on online safety and using reliable security solutions is imperative to creating a safe online environment,” said Vasily M. Kolesnikov, security expert at Kaspersky.

To keep children safe when participating in online activities, Kaspersky recommends users follow these guidelines: Parents need to have an open conversation with their children about the potential risks they may encounter when participating in activities on online platforms, and require them to strictly enforce the rules to ensure safety.

Help your child choose a strong password and change it regularly. Set clear rules about what your child can and can't do online and explain why. You'll need to adjust these rules as your child gets older.

To help children get acquainted with cybersecurity in the context of increasingly complex threats, parents can refer to the book Kaspersky Cybersecurity Alphabet , compiled by a team of Kaspersky experts.

The book helps children understand new technologies, learn basic cybersecurity rules, recognize how to prevent online threats and detect scams...

KIM THANH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/can-canh-giac-van-nan-tan-cong-mang-nham-vao-game-thu-tre-post759496.html