E-Business
Kaspersky Says 5.8m Attacks Detected in Malware Disguised as PC Games
The data comes from the latest game-related cyberthreats report by Kaspersky, in which researchers assessed the changes of gaming-related threats during the pandemic.
Over 5.8 million attacks by malware and unwanted software disguised as popular PC games were detected and prevented by Kaspersky and its cybersecurity solutions globally from Q3 2020 to Q2 2021.
This increased volume may be connected to the rapid growth of gaming activities during the pandemic.
The data comes from the latest game-related cyberthreats report by Kaspersky, in which researchers assessed the changes of gaming-related threats during the pandemic.
The gaming industry witnessed unprecedented growth over the past 18-months, in part, thanks to users being forced to find alternative means of entertainment as they stayed at home. Even though the world has become safer this year, the demand for games persists, and the industry is predicted to grow even further, reaching a potential peak of $175.8 billion by the end of 2021.
With this in mind, Kaspersky researchers carried out a review of various game-related threats that its users faced throughout the pandemic – from potential attacks on PC and mobile to phishing schemes.
To get a clear picture of the trends, Kaspersky analysed the attacks with malware and unwanted software disguised as the 24 most popular PC games and the top 10 mobile titles of 2021.
The results showed that PC game-related cyberthreats soared with the introduction of lockdowns in Q2 2020, hitting 2.48 million detections worldwide – a 66% increase compared to Q1 2020 when 1.48 million attacks were detected.
Interestingly, the number of attacks and affected users declined sharply in Q2 2021 – to just 636,904 attacks.
Mobile games showed a slightly different trend, with the number of users affected growing by 185% at the beginning of the pandemic, from 1138 users in February 2020 to 3253 users in March 2020.
Furthermore, the number of users striving to unwind on mobile phones did not drop significantly after the two waves of the pandemic, showing on average just a 10% drop in users attacked per month in Q2 2020 versus Q2 2021.
This showed that mobile threats remained attractive to cybercriminals even as lockdowns were being lifted across the world.
Speaking of popular games, Minecraft topped the charts for both PC and mobile categories as the game most often used to disguise the distribution of unwanted software and malware.
Such overwhelming popularity of Minecraft may be explained by the fact that there are multiple versions and a myriad of mods – additional modifications that can be installed on top of the game to diversify it and the gaming experience.
Usually, the mods are created by users and are unofficial, providing a convenient disguise for malicious payloads or unwanted software.
From July 2020 to June 2021, 36,336 files disguised as Minecraft were distributed.
These affected 184,887 PC users and resulted in 3,010,891 attempted infections, which is nearly half of the detected files and attacks during this period.
E-Business
Firm Predicts AI, Privacy to Shape Consumer Cybersecurity Landscape in 2025
According to Kaspersky’s latest report, artificial intelligence (AI) will become an integral part of daily life, while privacy concerns around biometric data and advanced technologies will take center stage in 2025. These forecasts are part of the annual Kaspersky Security Bulletin series, which provides an outlook on the cybersecurity trends and threats expected to impact consumers in the coming year.
AI becomes an everyday reality
AI is predicted to fully integrate into daily life in 2025, becoming a standard tool rather than a novel technology. With prominent operating systems like iOS and Android rolling out AI-enhanced features, people will increasingly rely on AI for communication, workflows, and creative tasks.
However, this normalisation also brings challenges, particularly as personalised deepfakes become increasingly sophisticated in the absence of reliable detection tools.
Privacy regulations will expand user data ownership
The growing emphasis on privacy is expected to lead to new regulations that strengthen user control over personal data. By 2025, individuals may gain the right to monetise their data, transfer it easily across platforms, and benefit from simplified consent processes.
Global frameworks, such as the EU’s GDPR, California’s CPRA and South Africa’s POPIA, continue to inspire reforms worldwide, while decentralised storage technologies could further strengthen user autonomy over their information.
Fraudsters will continue to exploit premieres and releases
Cybercriminals are expected to target prominent gaming, console, and film launches in 2025. Titles like Mafia: The Old Country, Civilization VII, and Death Stranding 2, as well as the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, are likely to attract scams involving fake pre-orders, counterfeit rootkits, and malicious downloads.
Similarly, blockbuster films like Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth may trigger phishing campaigns and counterfeit merchandise fraud aimed at enthusiastic fanbases.
Political polarisation will fuel cyberbullying
Increasing political polarisation is expected to exacerbate cyberbullying in 2025. Social media algorithms that amplify divisive content, combined with the widespread availability of AI tools for creating deepfakes and doctored posts, are likely to intensify online harassment. Cross-border cyberbullying could also escalate as global platforms facilitate the targeting of individuals based on their political beliefs.
Rising number of subscription services will fuel fraud risks
As the global economy shifts further towards subscription-based models, a rise in fraud related to fake subscription promotions is expected. Cybercriminals are expected to create counterfeit services that mimic legitimate platforms, aiming to deceive users into providing personal and financial information, resulting in identity theft and financial losses.
Additionally, the growth of unofficial resources that provide discounted or free access to subscription services is expected to become a significant threat vector, exposing users to phishing attacks, malware, and data breaches.
Prohibition of social media for children may lead to broader user restrictions
Australia’s proposed legislation to ban social media access for children under 16 could set a global precedent. If implemented successfully, the restriction could pave the way for broader limitations on access for other demographics.
Platforms like Instagram have already begun adopting AI-powered age-verification systems, signaling a shift toward stricter governance of online spaces.
“As we look to 2025, the most significant impact on consumers is expected to arise from the intersection of innovation and regulation. Advances in AI, privacy protection, and data ownership frameworks will reshape the way people interact with technology and manage their digital lives.
These developments hold immense potential but also demand careful oversight to ensure they serve consumer interests,” said Anna Larkina, Kaspersky privacy expert.
E-Business
Report Reveals Most Organisations Fear AI-driven Cyberattacks but Lack Key Defences
A recent Kaspersky study reveals that businesses are increasingly worried about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyberattacks.
According to the findings, 70% of surveyed companies in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region reported a rise in cyber incidents over the past year, with over half of respondents (53%) noting that many of these attacks were likely AI-driven.
The study underscores the reality that AI, which has revolutionised numerous industries, is now also empowering cybercriminals, adding an additional layer of complexity to the threats businesses face.
In its latest study titled “Cyber defense & AI: Are you ready to protect your organisation?” Kaspersky gathered the opinions of IT Security and Information Security professionals working for SMEs and Enterprise-level companies regarding new challenges in protecting their organisations against cyberattacks involving the use of AI.
Leveraging AI by cybercriminals is a serious concern for 73% of respondents from the META region. The pressure of this challenge is pushing companies to reassess their cybersecurity strategies and look for solutions that are both proactive and comprehensive.
To effectively tackle AI-amplified threats, businesses in the META region consider regular training to build internal expertise (94%), highly qualified personnel (94%), and relevant external cybersecurity expertise (93%) as the most important factors for protecting their organisations.
They also recognise the importance of having enough staff in their IT teams (91%) and using third-party security solutions (89%).
Despite rising awareness, the study reveals a concerning gap in readiness among many companies.
Over half of the organisations surveyed in the META region lack crucial resources needed to address these sophisticated threats – 56% don’t have the relevant external cybersecurity expertise at their disposal, 51% report that their IT teams are not large enough, 44% lack highly qualified staff, and 45% fall short in regular training efforts.
Additionally, 49% of respondents do not think they have adequate security solutions in place, exposing them to potential vulnerabilities. While most respondents claim to know how to address this lack of resources, the fact remains that they aren’t in place.
“The cybersecurity landscape today mirrors past challenges, with businesses questioning if current solutions suffice. Ransomware, once a primary threat, now demonstrates a dangerous surge, and business decision-makers start questioning the causes of this resurgence.
“The recent hype around AI offers an easy, if not entirely correct explanation. In reality, while using AI to create convincing phishing messages or more effective reconnaissance may be of some help, the root causes are most often more straightforward: cybercriminals have become more organised, better at collaborating, developing innovative attack strategies, and lowering the barriers for less skilled and resourceful attackers.
“So, while it’s useful to keep an eye on AI progress that can enable both attackers and defenders with new options, there are solid strategies companies can – and should – implement immediately.
“Companies should prioritise securing critical IT infrastructure with robust, multi-layered solutions that offer a unified security context. An XDR ecosystem, combined with skilled expertise – whether in-house or through a managed service – can greatly enhance defences.
“Additionally, ongoing employee training, including cybersecurity basics and safe AI practices, adds another critical layer of protection for the organisation,” says Oleg Gorobets, corporate infrastructure protection expert at Kaspersky.
E-Business
Dr. Krishnan Bags Icon of Innovation and Digital Transformation in Africa @ CIO Awards
Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive, West Africa at Africa Data Centres, a seasoned ICT and Telecommunications industry veteran, has been recognized as the “Icon of Innovation and Digital Transformation” at the prestigious CIO & C-Suite Conference & Awards.
The award, presented by Edniesal Consulting Limited, acknowledges Dr Krishnan’s significant contributions to Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
With over three decades of experience across multiple industries, Dr Krishnan has been instrumental in driving digital innovation and fostering strategic partnerships across the continent. His visionary leadership has been pivotal in addressing Africa’s unique challenges, including limited internet access, affordability, and infrastructure.
“We are honoured to recognize Dr Krishnan for his exceptional achievements. His dedication to innovation and digital transformation has made a profound impact on Africa’s technological landscape,” said Abiola Laseinde, CEO of Edniesal Consulting.
In response to the award, Dr Krishnan expressed gratitude to Africa Data Centres and his team, emphasizing the importance of addressing Africa’s connectivity challenges to unlock the full potential of digital transformation.
This latest recognition adds to Dr. Krishnan’s growing list of accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards and recently the Data Centre Personality of the Year award at the 2024 Tech Innovation Awards (TIA).
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