14 DAY TRIAL // Minecraft fans are advised to exercise extreme caution when installing mods and add-ons for the game, according to Tech Radar.
Despite Minecraft being a well-known video game that continues to attract many new users, it is also a favorite target for the hacking community. In fact, Kaspersky researchers have recently noticed a huge increase in malicious malware hidden in Minecraft mods, on Google Play.
The malicious apps, masquerading as Minecraft mods, render the game unusable. However, they can also make tablet or smartphone inoperable due to an increase in unwanted and unnecessary advertisements.
Unfortunately, fake Minecraft mods spread like wildfire on Google Play, delivering millions of endlessly annoying ads that can get phones and tablets stuck. During the heyday of the sandbox video game Minecraft, attackers created Google Play programs that functioned similarly to the malware currently discovered by Kaspersky.
Over a million Android devices infected by fake Minecraft mod malware
Kaspersky discovered about 20 malicious modifications between July and November 2020, and researchers confirmed that the said malware infected over a million Android devices.
The fact that the franchise was constructed in Java seems to make it more vulnerable to attacks. As a result, third-party developers can easily create compatible apps or modpacks that aim to customize and enhance users' gaming experience.
According to Kaspersky, while promising to provide more features, the mods have their own hidden agenda. They went on to explain that when the program is first launched, it simply hides icon, runs the browser and starts opening dozens of pages filled with ads.
The latest dangerous Minecraft programs are simply updated versions of malware that have been found before. Take note that these apps differ in that they open the user's browser every few minutes and display screen-filling advertisements, both of which render a device useless.
Kaspersky stated that Google is aware of the matter and the fraudulent Minecraft mods have been removed from the app store. Users and players should, however, remain vigilant.