Pirated games, unofficially localized (Vietnamized) games and malicious games are being widely promoted by scammers on social media. They lure players into downloading files from links of unknown origin with promises of perks such as free access, VIP in-game items and fast leveling. These installation files may contain malware that steals information and takes over personal accounts.

That is not all. Victims are then kept on the hook and pushed to top up money to buy items, upgrade their accounts or claim rewards. Once the scheme is discovered, the scammers immediately lock the accounts, shut down the servers and cut off all contact, leaving players having lost both their accounts and the money they paid in.

Bkav cybersecurity experts advise users to:

• Only download and update games from official app stores or the publisher’s official website. Do not download APK or EXE files from unfamiliar links, do not turn off your device’s protection features, and do not grant apps unusual access permissions.
• Use a separate password for each account, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious about topping up money on non-transparent servers.
• If your device shows unusual signs after installing a game, stop all financial transactions on the device, uninstall the app, then scan the device and remove the malware.
• If your banking information may have been exposed, contact your bank to freeze the account or block unauthorized transactions.
• Install antivirus software and a comprehensive anti-malware solution. The tools built into operating systems only meet users’ basic protection needs and cannot counter modern ransomware and viruses, which are designed to lie dormant and embed deeply into the system.

Bkav