Did you know that between 2020 and 2021, Kaspersky detected more than 5.8 million cyberattacks in the gaming industry?
The most stunning part is that this report only included mobile and PC games. So, if you include console games, the actual number may be much higher.
The gaming industry has been growing for decades, and the global pandemic only fuelled its expansion. To put it in perspective, the industry will generate more than $315 billion by 2026. This is one of the reasons why it’s become a big target for cybercriminals of all sizes.
So what were the most unprecedented cyber attacks on gaming companies in recent years?
Let’s find out.
Worst Cyberattacks Against Gaming Companies in Recent History
Here are six major cybersecurity attacks that targeted gaming companies in recent memory.
1. EA Sports
You probably recognize the first name on the list from games like FIFA and NBA Live. But, even leading game developers can be targeted by cybercriminals.
The EA Sports breach took place back in 2021. Perpetrators stole more than 780 gigabytes of source code, in other words, intellectual data that’s valued at tens of millions.
At the time of this writing, the investigation is still ongoing.
2. CD Projekt
CD Projekt, the maker of popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher, was also hacked in 2021. As of this writing, the company was still attempting to solve many of the issues caused.
Hackers were able to acquire both source code and sensitive internal data. The latter included employee and partner details that were later sold on the black market.
3. Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is the game responsible for bringing the mythical play-to-earn gaming model to life. However, the innovative NFT-based game also suffered a major hack in early 2022.
Sky Mavis, the developer of Axie Infinity, lost more than $620 million from its Ronin blockchain in March. The investigation is still ongoing with the assistance of the FBI and other authorities.
4. Armor Games
The name Armor Games may not sound familiar. But, this browser-based game developer is actually among the leaders in its space. Unfortunately, it also suffered a major breach in 2019.
Armor Games wasn’t the only platform targeted during that exact criminal spree. Of the 617 million leaked accounts, 415 belonged to Dubsmash, MyFitnessPal, and MyHeritage users.
5. Activision Blizzard (Warcraft)
EA Sports is not the only giant to get hit by attacks recently. Activision Blizzard has been battling DDoS attacks since 2010. The last round of successful attacks took place in 2020 and 2021.
Activision Blizzard has struggled, in part, because it’s often targeted by notorious organizations. This list includes Derp Trolling, UK Drillas, Lizard Squad, and other well-known groups.
6. Nintendo
Many consider Nintendo to be the predecessor to PlayStation and Xbox. The Japanese game developer was hacked in 2020, an attack that exposed data from hundreds of thousands of users.
The problem arose from an exploitable weakness that involved the platform’s Nintendo Network ID login system. Since then, Nintendo has started suggesting two-factor authentication to its users.
How Do Cybercriminals Attack Game Developers?
Now that we’ve reviewed the most impactful cybersecurity attacks in recent memory let’s go over the techniques that criminals use.
Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to breach gaming developers’ security systems. The idea is often to break into the developer’s servers to access valuable data. Criminals use techniques like:
- Structured query language or SQL injections;
- Cross-site scripting;
- Phishing through custom code or phishing kits;
- Credential stuffing;
- Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Hackers can also access gaming servers by stealing user login information. Fortunately, developers can opt for corporate antivirus solutions that help them create a safe ecosystem.
Developers can also encourage individual gamers to use a VPN for PC and mobile devices to bolster their security.
Conclusion
Video games have become part of our identity as humans. That said, game developers need to establish high standards and follow security best practices that create a safe ecosystem.
The industry’s growth ensures that developers have the resources to create a safe infrastructure and minimize breaches in the future.
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