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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Heads up, gamers. Your love for some of the world's most popular video games could be putting your personal data at risk. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has issued a warning that hackers are increasingly using popular games as bait to trick players into downloading dangerous malware.

The scheme is simple but effective. Hackers take advantage of the massive popularity of top titles by offering pirated copies, fake game mods, or cheat programs through unofficial channels like torrent websites. When an unsuspecting player downloads and installs these files, they aren't just getting a game—they're also installing malicious software directly onto their device.

This malware can wreak havoc in several ways:                                                                                                                             

Spyware: Steals your personal information, including passwords, bank details, and crypto-wallet data.

Adware: Floods your device with unwanted and intrusive pop-up ads.                                                                                         

Crypto Miners: Secretly uses your computer's processing power to mine cryptocurrency for the hacker, slowing down your system and increasing your electricity bill.

The Top 10 Games Being Used as Traps                                                                                                                                     

According to Kaspersky's research, hackers are focusing their efforts on games with huge, active communities. Here is the list of the top 10 games currently being exploited:

  1. Minecraft
  2. Roblox
  3. Counter-Strike 2
  4. PUBG (PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds)
  5. Apex Legends
  6. Grand Theft Auto V
  7. Genshin Impact
  8. Poppy Playtime
  9. Elden Ring
  10. The Sims 4

How to Protect Yourself and Stay Safe While Gaming

The good news is that you can easily avoid these traps by following some basic security rules:

Stick to Official Stores: Only download games and add-ons from trusted platforms like Steam, the Epic Games Store, or official console marketplaces (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop).

Avoid Piracy: Never download pirated games from torrent sites or other shady websites. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

Be Skeptical of Cheats: Be extremely cautious about downloading third-party cheat programs or mods. These are prime vehicles for malware.

Use Strong Security Software: Always have a reputable antivirus program installed and running on your device. It can detect and block many of these threats before they do any harm.

Enjoy your gaming, but always remember to play it safe.


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