“Gen Z is the most digitally active generation, leaving behind a rich trail of data, clicks, and curiosity. This makes them a prime target — not because they’re careless, but because they’re constantly online, exploring, downloading, and sharing.“
A report by cyber security firm and antivirus provider Kaspersky has revealed that last year there were over 19 million attempted cyberattacks targeting gamers.
The attacks are targeted at Gen Z gamers who, unlike the Millenials and the X- generation before them spend significant amount of time and money on virtual games. The report highlights the sheer volume of malicious activity disguised as legitimate game content, mods, cheats, and installers.
Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft, and Call of Duty emerged as the top three most exploited titles, collectively accounting for millions of attack attempts.
The cyber security firm collected the data between April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025
The Allure of Gaming for Cybercriminals
The report indicates that cybercriminals are keenly following gaming trends to reach their targets. Games like Grand Theft Auto, despite being over a decade old, remain highly exploited due to their open-world modding capabilities and active online communities. Similarly, Minecraft’s massive modding scene makes players vulnerable as they often seek content outside official platforms.
“From open-world blockbusters like GTA to cozy simulators like The Sims, cybercriminals target games across every genre Gen Z loves,” comments Vasily Kolesnikov, a security expert at Kaspersky. “What unites them is the audience: Gen Z is the most digitally active generation, leaving behind a rich trail of data, clicks, and curiosity. This makes them a prime target — not because they’re careless, but because they’re constantly online, exploring, downloading, and sharing. That’s why digital self-defense is no longer optional. Learning how to recognize threats should be as natural as leveling up in a game.”
The most prevalent threat type detected was “Downloader” software, responsible for over 17.7 million attempts. These unwanted programs are designed to silently download and install additional harmful software, ranging from spyware and keyloggers to ransomware, often with the goal of stealing gaming accounts for resale on the dark web.
Broader Cybersecurity Landscape: A Growing Threat
The surge in gaming-related cyberattacks comes against a backdrop of escalating cyber threats across all sectors. Recent trends indicate a continuous rise in the complexity and volume of cyber incidents globally.
Phishing remains a dominant threat: It continues to be the most common form of cybercrime, with billions of spam emails sent daily. Despite robust security measures, many individuals and organizations still fall victim. According to some reports, phishing attacks rose by 58.2% in 2023, with millennials and Gen Z internet users being particularly susceptible.
Ransomware continues its destructive path: Ransomware attacks are increasing in frequency and sophistication, forcing organizations to pay exorbitant sums. The average ransomware payout has increased significantly, with some reports indicating an average recovery cost of $2.73 million in 2024. Supply chain attacks are also a growing concern, with 60% of C-Suite executives viewing them as the most likely cyber threat to affect their businesses.
AI-driven attacks are on the horizon: Machine learning is being increasingly leveraged by criminals to mutate malicious code in real-time, making detection harder for traditional signature-based security. Experts predict that AI-driven attacks will become more common in the near future.
Human error remains a critical vulnerability: A significant percentage of cybersecurity breaches, estimated to be as high as 88%, are attributed to human error. This underscores the importance of ongoing cybersecurity education and awareness training. As Bruce Schneier, a renowned cryptographer, famously said, “Amateurs hack systems; professionals hack people.”
The Importance of Proactive Defense
Cybersecurity executives emphasize that the evolving threat landscape demands a proactive and integrated approach to security.
“Cybersecurity is much more than a matter of IT — it’s a business imperative,” states Stéphane Nappo, Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Groupe SEB. This sentiment rings true for individuals as well, particularly for digitally native generations like Gen Z.
How can Gamers Protect Themseleves?
To combat these threats, cybersecurity experts advise Gen Z gamers to adopt several key practices:
- Download content only from official sources: Avoid torrents, third-party websites, or links shared in forums and chats, even if they promise rare skins or free bonuses.
- Be skeptical of giveaways: If an offer seems too good to be true, especially if it asks for login credentials, it likely is.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable 2FA: Implement strong, unique passwords for all gaming and email accounts, and utilize a password manager. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, especially on platforms like Steam, Epic Games, and Discord.
- Check URLs carefully: Phishing sites often mimic legitimate ones with slight misspellings or fake subdomains. Always verify the URL before entering any credentials.
- Never share account details: Sharing access, even with friends, can lead to unintentional exposure or theft.
- Utilize reliable security solutions: Employ reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to detect and prevent malicious attachments.
As the digital world continues to expand, so too does the landscape of cyber threats. For Gen Z, whose lives are deeply intertwined with online gaming, understanding and mitigating these risks is no longer optional but a fundamental aspect of their digital well-being.