Between July 2022 and July 2023, Kaspersky Lab researchers identified over 4 million cyberattack incidents aimed at fans of popular video games. Among these, Minecraft stood out as the game most frequently targeted by cybercriminals, a trend highlighted in the company’s recent findings.
As a result, Minecraft accounts for more than 70% of malware detected on PCs and more than 90% on mobile devices. The reason is simple: the game supports modifications and cheats that circulate on unofficial forums and third-party sites. Those software packages often conceal malicious code designed to steal data or coerce users into paying ransoms.
Roblox occupies the second spot in terms of criminal focus, with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive trailing in third place.
The report also sheds light on other fraud vectors, including phishing sites that imitate official game pages or platform portals. These sites entice players to enter usernames and passwords with promises of bonuses, gifts, or early access, after which fraudsters gain control of accounts and can monetize or discard them at will.
Additional schemes involve shady sites that promise free or discounted game downloads but are really designed to steal money or personal data from visitors’ cards.
Experts from Kaspersky Lab advise gamers to buy and download titles only from official stores and publishers, to avoid pirated software, and to refrain from submitting personal information on questionable sites. The emphasis is on verifying sources, using strong, unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible to reduce risk across devices.
In other industry-related news, Valve recently unveiled an updated Steam Deck console featuring a larger, brighter screen, signaling continued attention to portable PC gaming and ecosystem improvements. These kinds of developments underscore the importance of staying vigilant while enjoying new hardware and game releases.