Fortunately, you can protect yourself from malware by following a few simple tips, like getting a good antivirus program and using a VPN for gaming. Our favorite VPN, ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest VPN connections around so that you can frag your enemies without interruption. Downloading the wrong file or app could see your device infected with malware (malicious software) that’s out to steal your data. In fact, there have been many cases where player data has been misused or stolen from companies. In this article, we talk all about the risks of malware-infected games, in addition to the most malware-infected games on both desktop and mobile. We’ll also show you how to protect yourself from malware that could be lurking inside that game you’ve got your eye on.
Can You Even Get Malware From Games?
The answer to this is a resounding “yes.” Some games can contain malware, whether that’s the result of hackers injecting malicious code into a legitimate game or creating a fake app that is simply a virus. In most cases, hackers generally upload infected files on torrent sites or share them through other illegitimate means. For PC gamers, this means that you’re generally safe if you’re using a popular games platform like GOG, Steam, or HumbleBundle. However, even mobile games downloaded from the Google Play Store, for example, can be infected with malware. In November 2021, Google removed seven compromised apps from its store, which had a collective 70,000+ downloads. While Apple’s stringent development process and App Store requirements keep most iOS devices secure, that’s not to say that iOS users are completely safe from mobile malware. Earlier in 2021, a major contributing developer to Apple’s services, Kosta Eleftheriou, shared his concerns about several applications available on the App Store. Given that no system is entirely safe, you need to know what to look out for so that you don’t fall victim to malicious software. Owing to their popularity, some games have become a favorite for malicious actors. Here’s our list of the most malware-infected PC games in 2023.
The 10 Most Malware-Infected PC Games
A study conducted by Atlas VPN showed the most malware-infected games on PC, as shown in the infographic below. The study used data from the Kaspersky Security Network, a company providing cybersecurity software, which gathered data from internet users who subscribe to their products. Below, you’ll find the 10 most malware-infected PC games that could pose a real threat to your online security.
1. Minecraft
Infections detected (PC): 3,010,981 Users affected (PC): 184,887
Since its release in 2011, Minecraft has been a huge hit with gamers of all ages, especially kids. This open-world sandbox game has gone on to be released across multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, and smartphones. It’s no surprise that Atlas VPN has highlighted how between July 2020 and July 2021,184,887 desktop devices were affected by malware hidden in Minecraft downloads, which affected up to 50,664 users. This puts it firmly at the top of our list of the most malware-infected games of the past year. It’s worth noting that these issues aren’t related to official copies of Minecraft bought from reputable online or brick-and-mortar stores. Due to its popularity, Minecraft is a heavily modded (modified) game, which means that players can download new content that’s created by fans of the game. Since mods are unofficial and mostly unregulated, they can be loaded with undesirable and outright dangerous software.
2. The Sims 4
Infections detected (PC): 1,266,804 Users affected (PC): 43,252
There were over one million malware detections in The Sims 4 game files on PC, with around 43,000+ users impacted. Again, game mods are largely to blame here, as developers can create customized pieces of homeware for players to download and add to their collections. One example includes the “Crackonosh” malware, which has affected other games too, including Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, and NBA 2K19 — some of the most popular PC games around. This particularly nasty malware harnesses victims’ processing power to mine cryptocurrency. Even if your personal details aren’t harvested, you could see a frightening increase in your electricity bill and degradation of your PC components due to the crypto mining process and the stress it places on hardware.
3. PUBG (Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds)
Infections detected (PC): 484,528 Users affected (PC): 26,724
PUBG (Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds) was a huge hit when it was first released, and it is often regarded as the game that started the battle royale craze. As an open-world survival game, you compete with countless other players to loot resources and take down the competition. Unfortunately, its popularity also made it a primary target for malware developers. While not as impacted as Minecraft or The Sims 4, more than 25,000 PC users were affected by malware hidden in PUBG files. For example in 2018, ransomware known aptly as “PUBG Ransomware” was discovered on infected machines. This malicious software would encrypt a victim’s files to render them inaccessible until the victim bowed down to the hacker’s demands — hence the name, “Ransomware.” Victims are quite literally held to ransom. Often, demands associated with ransomware are extortionate; hackers commonly request huge sums of money to release the captive devices. However, the PUBG Ransomware had one simple request: victims were forced to play PUBG to unlock their machine! While this ransomware was thought to have been a simple, albeit malicious joke, ransomware attacks are serious, as the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) can attest.
4. Fortnite
Fortnite is another game that has become immensely popular, which has also made it a target for hackers. During its early days, Fortnite scammers managed to steal users’ data by disguising a malware file as a cheating tool. Around 1,200 users downloaded the file, which delivered a trojan virus that steals data and sends it to a remote server. This data included browsing history, games libraries, and cryptocurrency wallet information. In total, the report from Atlas VPN indicates that around 14,702 Fortnite users fell victim to malware. One more recent virus associated with Fortnite came from Kaspersky, who revealed that Fortnite players could be hit by a new trojan. Known as BloodyStealer, this malware was designed to — that’s right — steal even more user data. Specifically, it was players’ gaming libraries at risk here, with hackers selling stolen login credentials on the internet.
5. GTA V (Grand Theft Auto 5)
Grand Theft Auto V came out in 2013, with Grand Theft Auto Online following shortly afterward. So popular was this game, that the company behind it — Rockstar — has left fans waiting for GTA 6 for almost a decade. Only recently did they confirm that a new GTA was in the making! However, its popularity is why the game has seen around 14,261 users infected with malware, according to AtlasVPN’s report. Users playing on desktop PCs are particularly at risk, with many of the same viruses we’ve mentioned above affecting GTA V players too. This includes the Cracknosh malware that also affected Sims 4 players and the BloodyStealer malware that affected Fortnite players in droves. Of course, there are other games that have been heavily targeted by malicious actors too. Apart from the top 5 malware-infected games listed above, you need to be cautious about others too. Below, we’ve highlighted the remaining 10 most malware-infected games on PC, including the number of virus detections and the number of users impacted:
The 5 Most Malware-Infected Games on Mobile
Even mobile apps can be infected by malicious software. The data from Kaspersky shows how up to 50,644 mobile users tried to download a total of more than 10,000 files during the period of the study. These malicious apps were disguised as the top 10 most-played games, which resulted in around 332,570 virus detections. Much like with PC games, Minecraft was a major target, and to nobody’s surprise, ranks number one as the most malware-infected game on mobile, with more than three million virus detections. In total, over 44,000 mobile gamers were impacted by malware disguised or hidden within Minecraft files. Below, we’ve included a list of the 5 most malware-infected mobile games:
No. 1: Minecraft No. 2: Among US No. 3: PUBG Mobile No. 4: Free Fire No. 5: Brawl Stars
How to Stay Safe While Gaming
By now, you’re probably wondering how to stay safe while gaming and protect yourself against malware. Below, you’ll find our top tips for securing your device and avoiding malware when downloading your favorite games.
Create a secure password and never share it with anyone
One of the most simple ways to improve your online security is to create a secure password and never share it with anyone online. For starters, avoid passwords such as “password” or “qwerty123.” You might come across other players trying to entice you to upgrade your character or give you a new cosmetic item in-game, and they may ask for access to your account. Never give anyone access to your gaming account. They can steal it, or they can use these details for any malicious intent. There’s simply no reason for you to give your game account details to anyone. And, above all, make sure that your password is strong enough so someone can’t guess it. For example, a 10-digit password consisting only of numbers could be compromised in seconds or less with brute force software, which can try thousands of combinations in mere seconds. However, create a 15-character password that uses numbers, and upper-case and lower-case letters, and it could take 600 million years! There are bots online that impersonate players, capture their IDs, and automatically run brute force attacks to steal their information! Worried about how you’ll remember all those passwords? For even greater security, and to avoid writing everything down — which you absolutely shouldn’t — you could use a password manager. You can also check out our guide on how to create a secure password for important tips when setting new passwords.
Use multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor or two-factor authentication literally means using more than one method to verify your identity when you log into a gaming platform or service. This offers you much greater protection than a simple password, especially since many people reuse passwords or don’t realize that they’re using one that’s too easy to crack. If you download games off Steam, active the Steam Guard two-factor authentication on your account. GOG also offers a two-step login, either via an authentication app like Google Authenticator or via text message. This way, even if someone obtains your password, your account will still be protected. They can’t log in until they enter the one-time password (OTP) that you receive.
Only buy games from legitimate sources
Since hackers hide their malware inside of unregulated or modified files, you should only buy games from legitimate providers. So, avoid torrenting any game files and don’t install any modifications created by third parties. While you won’t have access to fan-created content, it’s a small price to pay for maximum security. Buying games from legitimate sources like Steam or GOG is perfectly fine. It’s always a good idea to buy legit games, and even if you want to download mods, make sure you first scour the community for reviews. There are several high-profile modders for specific games that are really big in their respective communities. Always do your research before you download files, especially free ones, from third-party websites.
Install a robust antivirus
These days, you should really be using a robust antivirus to protect your computer, especially when you’re frequently downloading games on it. Free antivirus software is better than no protection at all, but combined with the other tips here, a really good antivirus program will help keep your devices as secure as possible. There are several companies that release antivirus software designed to offer maximum protection while gaming, without hogging computer resources. Here’s our list of the best antivirus software for gaming. Incidentally, Kaspersky is our favorite antivirus right now, which offers real-time protection, phishing and ransomware protection, and regular, deep virus scanning. It ranks highest in our list of the best antivirus software.
Use a VPN for gaming online
When you connect to the internet, you broadcast a personal IP address that’s unique to your device. Websites, your ISP (internet service provider), and even skilled hackers can see this digital address and use it to work out your location. If you’re into torrenting, it might shock you to know that your entire torrent swarm — those with whom you share files — can also see your IP address. With this information, you face a number of risks. First of all, your identity could be compromised. Secondly, many VPNs have built-in threat protection, detecting malicious content and blocking it in real-time. Using a VPN for gaming online is generally better, as it protects your identity and other sensitive information, such as where you’re logging in from and any other details. Some gamers have even hit the news and received prison sentences for swatting their competitors, a highly illegal practice that involves reporting a false crime and sending an armed law enforcement unit to a competitor’s address. However, when you use a VPN, you change your IP address. Your IP will change to mirror the IP address of the VPN server, which gives you far greater anonymity online and reduces the chance of you falling victim to the downright terrifying risks outlined above. Our best VPN for gaming right now is ExpressVPN. With ExpressVPN, you’ve got reliable, speedy connectivity, and no data caps, so you shouldn’t see any impact on your gaming.
What to Do in Case of a Gaming Malware Infection
Perhaps you’re seeing unwanted pop-up adverts, or maybe you’ve spotted an odd application that you’ve never seen before. If you’ve got malware on your gaming platform, you need to act fast to minimize the damage. Below, you’ll find our quick, step-by-step guide to what you should do if your gaming device is infected with malware: The best way to avoid gaming malware infections is to avoid downloading suspicious games in the first place. And, always avoid downloading games that seem too good to be true. If you notice a cracked release of a high-profile game on a torrenting site just hours after its release, it’s probably riddled with malware. Even mobile devices aren’t safe either. Android devices are quite exposed. You may want to check our Android malware removal guide if you feel your mobile device is infected.
Final Thoughts
Video games have made huge leaps and bounds graphically and technologically, but so have the capabilities of hackers who are out to steal your personal data and hard-earned cash. When you’re trying out a new game or see a new piece of downloadable content (DLC), don’t let your excitement take the lead. Hackers commonly inject malicious code into games that discreetly steal personal information. So, purchase your games from reputable providers and avoid downloading unverified game mods. Be sure that you’re also creating secure passwords and using a password manager for extra security. You should also give some serious thought to using a VPN for gaming if you want the best in terms of online security and anonymity possible.
