Behind the gaming screen
On a phone or on a computer, E-sport or gambling, on the metaverse or through an augmented reality device, whatever you prefer to entertain yourself, the online gaming industry has it. Actually, there are so many options in development that the global online gaming’s worth is in constant growth, and should reach $300B dollars by 2027. A massive market.
But behind the screen there is a much darker reality, with 2.8 billion users around the world, gaming platforms are a real gold mine for bad actors. Gaming platforms and users are the target of scammers for several reasons. These companies hold millions of users’ payment credentials around the world. One scam would give access to millions of confidential information and make you lose millions of dollars. Up to 61% of gamers reuse passwords across gaming accounts, a mistake that makes them vulnerable to hacks.
One breach against your brand or your customers could even be the end of your company. On top of losing revenues, your reputation would be negatively impacted, and your customers might turn to your competitors. In many cases the brand is legally liable for its affiliates’ publications and posts, and that can result in heavy fines and in some cases even worse than that. Protect your company and customers now, and avoid worst-case scenarios.
Gaming scam types
Phishing gaming sites
When phishing, the scammer will send fake links to gamers to impersonate your brand, they ask for confirmation of personal credentials and password. If the player clicks the link, a false sign-in screen asks them for their password and username, which is how the scammer obtains the account information. Then, he will be able to sell this information for profit or use it himself to get payment details and steal funds from the player’s bank account.
Social media brand impersonation
It is common for gaming brands and their CEOs to be impersonated on social media platforms. The realism of these profiles often confuses players who are more inclined to open their messages and click on links in them. These link destinations are often fake and are meant to scam the players and steal their money.
Promo abuse
Coupons and bonuses are common in games, players can improve their games and it attracts new customers. Unfortunately, scammers create false ones and take advantage of the player’s trust to use their credit cards, create fake accounts, and hack existing accounts.
Cloned skins
These graphics downloads that are bought to change the appearance of an online character can be worth a lot of money if they are rare. In some cases, scammers will advertise fake skins to “fool” players and steal their money.
Rogue app update
The scammer will share a fake update concerning the game (such as new design or new features) among players with a bogus link.
Gaming currency scams
Hackers create links to get free in-game currency, when the player clicks on the link, the malware targets their Bitcoin or online wallet and steals from them.
Common Use Cases:
- Phishing
- Impersonation
- Trademark Infringement
Common Platforms Used:
- Websites
- Social Media Account
- Marketplaces
- Mobile Apps
Gaming industry external vulnerabilities
Attack surfaces
Marketplaces
Cheats and Hacks / Map Violations
Social Media
Fake Promo codes / Fraudulent Affiliate Accounts / Brand Impersonation
Websites
Phishing / Typosquatting
Paid Ads
Traffic Stealing / Malicious Links
Apps Stores
Unlawful APK / Fake App Websites
Vulnerabilities
Gaming data you must know
21%
Of gamers have been hacked in the last year.
$300B
The global gaming industry should be worth this amount by 2027!
1B
Gamers around the world! This number should jump to 1.3B in 2027.
Be in Control
Manage your digital threat map to determine prioritization and focus in your enforcement efforts.
Connecting the Dots
Unique tools to check connections between digital entities in the entire digital sphere (cross-platform, cross-brand, including historical data gathered).
Enforcement Experts
Experienced and knowledgeable enforcement managers analyze your company threats to determine efficient course of action.
Advanced Anti-Phishing
BrandShield’s Anti-phishing dashboard includes innovative features like Website Duplication Detector, automated takedown notices, blacklists and more.
Social Media Protection
Monitor major social media platforms to detect scams where your customers and employees are exposed to them.
Reports & Statistics
Periodic and other detailed reports with monitoring, detection and enforcement activities.
Some of the companies that work with us
Crypto and NFT markets have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks from scammers looking to capitalize on investor and trader interest. With their ability to protect against these attacks, BrandShield is a critical weapon in the fight to remove phishing attacks and threats from brand impersonators and bad actors.”
Sebastien Borget
Chief Executive Officer
