Cyber Attacks on young gamers increased by 30% in 2024

Islamabad : According to Kaspersky experts, the number of unique users targeted by cybercriminals using popular children’s games as a lure surged by 30% in the first six months of 2024 compared to of the last half of 2023. Researchers analyzed gaming risks for young players, and discovered that more than 132,000 users had been targeted by cybercriminals.

Kaspersky looked into the threats disguised as popular kids’ video games and analyzed the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Throughout the reported period, Kaspersky security solutions detected more than 6.6 million attempted attacks, where cybercriminals used the brands of the kids’ games as a lure.

Out of the 18 games chosen for this research, the majority of attacks were related to Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us. According to Kaspersky’s statistics, more than 3 million attempted attacks under the guise of Minecraft were launched throughout the reported period. Most likely, cybercriminals chose this method of attack based on the popularity of games among players, as well as the ability of gamers to use cheats and mods. Since the majority of mods and cheats are distributed on third-party websites, attackers disguise malware by posing as these applications.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to automate and personalize phishing attacks that are more likely to deceive young gamers.
One of the most common scams in gaming is the offer to receive new skins for your character — essentially clothing or armor— that enhance the hero’s skills. Some skins are common, while others are extremely rare and, therefore, more desirable.

Kaspersky experts have found an example of a scam that uses both the name of popular game Valorant and that of the world-famous YouTuber Mr. Beast. By selecting this blogger and using his photo, the fraudsters aim to capture children’s attention and hook them into their fraudulent scam.

The scammers aren’t actually after personal data like credit card details; they’re using the guise of gaming to lure users into another hoax—one involving fake downloads, prize claims, or other deceptive offers. The whole process is a clever way to redirect users to a different, more dangerous scam under the pretense of a legitimate verification step.

“Throughout our research, we see attacks on children are becoming a common vector of cybercriminals’ activities. That’s why cyber hygiene education and the use of trusted cybersecurity solutions are a ’must-have’ in building children’s safety in the online environment. By fostering their critical thinking, responsible online behavior, and a strong understanding of the risks, we can create a safer and more positive online experience for this generation of digital natives,” comments Vasily Kolesnikov, security expert at Kaspersky.

To keep your kids safe online, Kaspersky recommends parents to have open communication with their children about the potential risks they may encounter online and enforce strict guidelines to ensure their safety. Kaspersky experts have developed the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Alphabet with key concepts from the cybersecurity industry. With this book your kids will get to know new technologies, learn the main cyber hygiene rules, find out how to avoid online threats, and recognize fraudsters’ tricks.

With dedicated apps for digital parenting such as Kaspersky Safe Kids, parents can effectively safeguard their children across both online and offline spaces. To protect your child from downloading any malicious files during their gaming experience, Kaspersky advises to install a trusted security solution, like award-winning Kaspersky Premium. It works smoothly with Steam and other gaming services.

More details can be found in the latest Kaspersky report on cybercrimes targeting young gamers.