Table of Contents
Gaming cyberthreats frequently exploit titles such as Minecraft, Roblox, Genshin Impact
Malaysia has reported a 21% rise in the number of gaming cyberthreats detected on user devices from the first half of 2025 to the second half of 2025, with popular titles such as Roblox, Minecraft and Genshin Impact among the most frequently exploited, used to lure unsuspecting players.
The findings from Kaspersky indicate a steep rise in gaming-related cyberthreats targeted at young gamers, where malicious actors mimic popular games or create fake game-related tools to lure children into engaging with fraudulent webpages or downloading compromised files.
Titles such as Roblox and Minecraft are targeted due to the highly customisable nature of the games, which turns them into ideal attack vectors for cybercriminals to exploit.
For example, in Minecraft, players will often download cheats and mods to personalise their gaming experience. This provides a backdoor for cybercriminals to plant malware and potential unwanted applications (PUA) disguised as legitimate enhancements.
Across the rest of the region, gaming-related cyberthreats in Southeast Asia went up 86% during the same period, with Vietnam (202.5%) and Thailand (104.4%) seeing the highest rise in such threats. Singapore (22.1%) also recorded significant increases.
While Indonesia has bucked the trend, experts warn that the prevalence of gaming-related cyberthreats in the country is far from diminished and continues to pose a risk that should not be overlooked.
Rippling consequences
The gaming cyberthreat implications of these cyberattacks extend far beyond the targeted individual and are often capable of resulting in rippling consequences for the household as young gamers who fall victim to these malicious campaigns may unknowingly offer sensitive details, such as their parents’ credit card information or even their household address.
Such details can be used for financial theft, as well as to facilitate other illicit activities, including the crafting of social engineering cyberattacks on the family. Additionally, any malware and PUAs they inadvertently download on shared family devices may also compromise the privacy and data of all users on that device.
To safeguard the family’s digital life and prevent gaming cyberthreats, users are recommended to:
• Not install applications from untrusted sources or click on any links from unknown sources.
• Vet links before clicking. Only click on links if you are positive that the destination is safe and trusted.
• Scan for malware regularly. Personal devices can be covered with an antivirus solution such as Kaspersky Premium.
• Help your child choose a unique password and aim to change it periodically.
• Install a trusted security solution on your children’s devices to protect them from downloading malicious files and engaging with suspicious websites.
• Dedicated apps for digital parenting can help parents ensure a safe and positive digital experience for young ones by establishing healthy habits, protecting them from inappropriate content and balancing screen time.
