Security News > 2022 > September > Minecraft is hackers’ favorite game title for hiding malware

Minecraft is hackers’ favorite game title for hiding malware
2022-09-06 19:53

Security researchers have discovered that Minecraft is the most heavily abused game title by cybercriminals, who use it to lure unsuspecting players into installing malware.

Based on stats collected by the security firm between July 2021 and July 2022, Minecraft-related files accounted for roughly 25% of malicious files spreading via game brand abuse, followed by FIFA, Roblox, Far Cry, and Call of Duty.

Other game titles with notable percentages of abuse during this period are Need for Speed, Grand Theft Auto, Valorant, The Sims, and GS:GO. On the mobile space, Kaspersky recorded much smaller distribution volumes than those seen on PC gaming.

The reason why hackers leverage game titles to lure people is mainly the massive targeting pool, as the abused game titles attract the interest of tens of millions of people.

Modern games almost always involve the in-game economy aspect, so promises for "Easy progress" through hacks, valuable items, and cheats of all kinds are enticing to users.

Due to this, gamers may ignore AV warnings and execute detected malware programs on their systems.


News URL

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/minecraft-is-hackers-favorite-game-title-for-hiding-malware/