Online Games: Technology is expanding day by day all over the world, but along with it, cyber crime is also increasing rapidly. With the growing technology, cyber criminals also find many new ways to cheat people i.e. commit cyber crime. A Russian cyber security and anti-virus provider company Kaspersky has made a big disclosure about this.
30% more cyber attacks in 2024
Kaspersky has revealed through its latest report that in the first half of 2024, there has been a 30% increase in the incidents of cyber criminals targeting young gamers. Kaspersky experts have shared this information after doing research. In their research, they have found that 30% more cyber attacks have been made on young gamers in the first 6 months of 2024 as compared to the last half of 2023 i.e. the last 6 months. During this period, cyber attacks were attempted more than 6.6 million times i.e. 66 lakh times.
According to Kaspersky experts, in the first 6 months of 2024, i.e. from January 2024 to June 2024, cybercriminals targeted children using popular online games and carried out cyber attacks. Researchers analyzed gaming risks for young gamers and found that cybercriminals have targeted more than 1,32,000 users.
These games were used
Cybercriminals used children’s favorite online games to trap them, due to which young and young gamers got trapped very easily. Kaspersky found in its research that cybercriminals used a total of 18 games to carry out cyber attacks, in which most of the attacks were done through games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us. Criminals tried the most, i.e. about 30 lakh times, to carry out cyber attacks through Minecraft.
Actually, to get a better gaming experience in these online games, gamers use cheat codes and mods. These cheat codes and mods were mostly distributed on third-party websites, which are not very safe in terms of cyber security, but gamers use cheat codes and mods through third-party websites or apps to get a better gaming experience in the game for free and through these, cyber criminals get a chance to carry out cyber attacks. They hide malware in cheat codes or modes and send it to the gamers’ devices and cheat them.
Cyber attacks are becoming easier due to AI
Kaspersky experts believe that there are many reasons behind so many successful cyber attacks by cybercriminals in 2024. Especially they attack in a very clever way. Their plans are not clear. This means that they use different methods to carry out cyber attacks. Apart from this, cybercriminals are making phishing attacks automatic and personal by using AI, which makes it easier to deceive young gamers.
Kaspersky experts found in their research that cyber criminals use many different gaming items or features of the game to deceive gamers. Experts gave an example in their report and said that one of the most common gaming scams to carry out cyber attacks is to offer to get new skins. Let us tell you that skins are the clothes or armor of your characters in such games, which enhance the abilities of the character and increase the chances of gamers winning the game. Some skins are quite common, but some are quite rare, which gamers do not get easily. Gamers make every possible effort to get such skins for free and then cyber criminals get a new opportunity.
Scam in the name of Mr. Beast
Kaspersky experts found that the name of a popular online game Valorant and world famous gaming YouTuber Mr. Beast is being used to scam young gamers. In this scam, children are asked to enter the log-in ID and password of their gaming account to get Mr. Beast’s skin.
By doing this, there is a possibility of gamers’ secret credentials being stolen and they can become victims of fraud. To avoid such scams, it is very important to educate children about cyber security and use reliable cyber security devices.
Important tips for gamers to avoid cybercrime
Use extremely strong and secure passwords: Every gamer should always use a very strong password for their gaming ID. Never put your loved ones’ birthday etc. in the password. Gamers should always use letters, numbers and special symbols for the password.
Two-Factor Authentication: You should enable two-factor authentication for your gaming accounts and other important accounts. This will give more security to your gaming account.
Avoid suspicious links and downloads: Gamers should always avoid downloading any files related to games or gaming items from any unknown source. For this, one should not click on any suspicious link.
Use antivirus software: Gamers should always make strong arrangements for the cyber security of their gaming devices. For this, gamers should install a good and strong antivirus software on their device and update it regularly.
Use secure networks: Gamers should always use their personal Wi-Fi network for gaming. Gamers should never use any public Wi-Fi or free Wi-Fi connectivity anywhere. If possible, gamers should use VPN.
Report Cyber Bullying & Fraud: If gamers ever face any kind of cyber attack or cyber attack attempts, then they should immediately lodge a complaint at their nearest cyber police station.
Do not share personal information: Gamers should not share their personal information such as address, phone number, or bank details on any gaming platform.
Check the security settings: Gamers should always check the security settings of their gaming account regularly and keep it updated.
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