Digital intrigues: the siege of cybercriminals on the video game industry

In recent years, the video game industry has experienced exponential growth, attracting millions of gamers around the world thanks to a wide range of interactive experiences. However, this popularity has attracted the attention of cybercriminals, who seek to exploit its vulnerabilities. The reasons why the video game industry is an attractive target are various: the billion-dollar turnover, the large user audience that represents a source of personal data that can be exploited for malicious purposes, the visibility of the industry that can be used to making a statement or gaining notoriety, and fierce competition that can lead players to use attacks, such as DDoS, to secure victory. Not only that, the industry also includes online gambling, which can be targeted for manipulating bets or acquiring inside information.

The main threats and how to defend yourself

The online gambling industry can also be subjected to politically and ethically motivated attacks. Furthermore, the industry is also the target of common attacks such as ransomware, as demonstrated by the well-known 2021 case affecting CD Projekt Red. The high value and popularity of gambling sites make them a common target for attacks. DDoS, for example, is a common threat to the gaming industry, as these attacks flood a target's network or servers with excessive data traffic, leading to service outages. The industry relies on a stable internet connection to ensure multiplayer games run smoothly and load high-quality content, so any outage can have serious consequences.

Vulnerabilities of web applications and APIs in the video game industry

Web applications and APIs are critical to the gaming industry, powering everything from online multiplayer experiences to in-game purchases. However, these technologies introduce vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Additionally, APIs, or protocols that allow programs to interact with each other, are another common attack vector. These can be vulnerable to threats such as shadow APIs and business logic abuse. Game companies may be more vulnerable to API threats because they often handle sensitive data, such as user credentials and financial information.

The impact of malicious bots and automated attacks on the gaming industry

Malicious bots are automated software programs designed to perform malicious activities, such as scraping data, launching DDoS attacks, or exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs. These bots can wreak havoc on the gaming industry by stealing user data, disrupting services, and manipulating game economies. Most bot attacks in 2022 came from simple bots responsible for common attacks such as spamming, DDoS or in-game currency harvesting.

Conclusion

The financial prosperity and large user base of the gaming industry make it a prime target for cybercriminals. The latter use a variety of attack methods, including DDoS, web application and API attacks, and malicious bots. By understanding the motivations and methods behind these attacks, gaming companies can protect their networks and ensure the safety of the industry. With constant vigilance and the implementation of robust cyber security measures, the video game industry can continue to thrive and provide enjoyable experiences to gamers around the world.