Communications of the ACM
Gaming-Related Malware on the Rise on Mobile, PCs
As people rely more and more on mobile devices for everyday communications and transactions, they are increasingly becoming targets for attacks.
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Analysts at cybersecurity firm Proofpoint's Cloudmark mobile and email security division warn that popular online games are helping to spread malware on PCs and mobile devices.
Data from virtual private network (VPN) service Atlas VPN indicated more than 303,000 PCs were infiltrated by such malware, adware, and spyware between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, while another 50,000 users had attempted to download files masquerading as the 10 most-played mobile games.
Cloudmark's Jacinta Tobin said games often are connected with online spaces where hackers prowl, like YouTube channels.
Cloudmark also expressed concern about mobile-device exploits, such as the just-discovered TangleBot malware targeting Android devices in North America, which spreads through texts.
From IEEE Spectrum
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