Report Reveals Surge In Cyberattacks Targeting Young Gamers - 1

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Report Reveals Surge In Cyberattacks Targeting Young Gamers

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Kaspersky experts have released a new report detailing the increasing risks that young gamers face online. The report, based on data from Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), reveals a significant increase in attacks targeting children’s popular games, with cybercriminals using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive their victims.

According to the report, Kaspersky security solutions detected more than 6.6 million attempted attacks targeting young gamers from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The most popular games exploited by cybercriminals included Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us.

The report also found that the number of targeted users surged by 30 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023. This increase can be attributed to several factors, including the growing popularity of online gaming among children, and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics.

Among the most exploited games, Minecraft remains a top target, with over 3 million attacks detected. Following close behind were Roblox, with more than 1.6 million attack attempts, and Among Us, which saw nearly a million attack attempts during the analyzed period.

The most common threats associated with these games were adware and malicious downloaders, which can easily disguise themselves as game-related content, and trick young users into installing them.

Specifically, one of the most common scams used by cybercriminals is the offer of free in-game items, such as skins or currency. These offers often lead victims to malicious websites or downloads. Another tactic is the use of phishing pages that mimic popular gaming platforms to trick users into revealing their personal information.

One example involved using Pokémon GO, where users were asked to enter their gaming credentials and complete fake surveys before being redirected to fraudulent websites.

Kaspersky experts believe that the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal attacks is due in part to the use of automated tools and artificial intelligence. These technologies allow cybercriminals to create more convincing and personalized phishing campaigns.

Kaspersky advises parents to stay informed about online threats, communicate openly with their children, and set clear rules. They suggest the Cybersecurity Alphabet for education. Additionally, Kaspersky states that installing trusted security software on gaming devices helps prevent malicious downloads and ensures safety.

Google Faces Antitrust Trial Over Ad Technology Dominance - 2

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Google Faces Antitrust Trial Over Ad Technology Dominance

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Google is set to face the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in court over accusations of monopolizing the display advertising market, a trial that starts today in Alexandria, Virginia. The DOJ alleges that Google violated antitrust laws by abusing its control of ad technology, as reported by The New York Times (TNYT).

The DOJ argues that Google’s dominance in the $677 billion display advertising market allows it to manipulate prices, driving up costs for advertisers while paying less to websites that rely on ad revenue, as reported by Bloomberg .

Furthermore Bloomberg reports that the DOJ claims that Google, which controls ad sales from start to finish, forces advertisers and publishers to use its tools. This allows the company to take a significant cut—about $36 of every $100 spent through its services.

Google denies the allegations, asserting that its tools work efficiently and competitively with other products. The company argues that its technology is chosen because of its superior integration, security, and reliability, rather than through any coercive practices, as reported by Bloomberg.

The DOJ is expected to highlight how Google’s dominance in digital ad space has especially hurt industries like news publishing, where businesses struggle to survive while Google profits from their ad sales, notes TNYT.

A government victory could lead to the forced sale of Google’s ad tech acquisitions, including DoubleClick, a move that would reshape the online advertising landscape, as noted by TNYT.

This case could also set a precedent for future antitrust actions, potentially targeting other tech giants like Apple, which has also been accused of stifling competition, TNYT adds.

The U.S. antitrust trial against Google over its dominance in the advertising market mirrors similar accusations being made by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The DOJ and CMA both claim that Google’s practices create an unfair playing field for competitors, driving up prices for advertisers while limiting alternatives for publishers.

In both cases, Google defends its practices, arguing that its ad tools are widely used because they are more efficient and beneficial for publishers and advertisers. However, regulators in the U.S., UK, and Europe continue to push back, potentially leading to major shifts in the online advertising landscape.