State Duma deputy told how scammers use online games

Fraudsters use popular online games as bait to distribute malware.

The scheme is especially dangerous, since it is designed for children and teenagers; the desire to gain gaming advantages can lead to a decrease in the criticality of perception and the installation of malware.

The basic rule for users is not to install games and additional files from unverified sources, and also not to click on suspicious links.

MOSCOW, October 10 - RIA Novosti. Fraudsters use popular online games as bait to distribute malware, State Duma deputy and federal coordinator of the Digital Russia project of the United Russia party Anton Nemkin told RIA Novosti.

“Fraudsters are increasingly using popular online games as bait to distribute malware. The user is offered to download a supposedly new version of the game, an add-on, an in-game item or a program that promises to gain an advantage in the game. In fact, along with such a file, malware can get onto the device,” Nemkin said.

According to him, this scheme is especially dangerous because it is designed primarily for children and adolescents. The deputy noted that the desire to receive a rare item, game currency or access to new opportunities reduces the criticality of perception, and an attacker only needs to create a feeling of scarcity and urgency, for example, by saying that the offer is valid for a limited time.

“At the same time, the consequences can go far beyond the game itself. The malicious program can be used to steal credentials, access to accounts and personal information,” Nemkin added.

He emphasized that if the device stores payment information or is used to access other services, the potential damage becomes much more serious. The basic rule for users, as the parliamentarian explained, is not to install games and additional files from unverified sources, and also not to follow suspicious links from chats and social networks.