Hogwarts Legacy: cybercriminals take advantage of the game’s launch to apply a new scam

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Hogwarts Legacy: cybercriminals take advantage of the game's launch to apply a new scam
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Hogwarts Legacy, the long-awaited game in the Harry Potter universe, will be released on February 10th and is already the best selling game on Steam and PS5, in addition to reaching a very high peak of viewers on Twitch.

Although many can no longer wait for the moment to explore the gigantic castle and its surroundings, a launch of this size draws attention and criminals are taking advantage of the occasion to strike a new blow. Several players around the world are being targeted by scammers offering the fake download of the PC game.

Although Hogwarts Legacy hasn’t even been released yet, Kaspersky researchers have already found examples of websites offering PC downloads of the game. However, by downloading the cracked game, players actually install malware or unwanted software on their device. Propagation programs can range from adware, which launches advertisements on the victim’s screen, to trojans — malware that silently collects information.

The game about the world of Harry Potter has not even come out yet, but it has already become a real phenomenon, talked about by many gamers around the world. With such a huge fan base, the game has become a target for cybercriminals looking to cash in on the popularity of the world-famous tale. Our advice, as always, is to ask you to stay alert and only download games from official app stores, and always use a reliable security solution.

Olga Svistunovasecurity expert at Kaspersky

Photo: reproduction
  • To avoid falling victim to malicious programs and scams like this, Kaspersky recommends:
  • It is safer to buy and download games from official websites only. Don’t trust “unmissable deals” or sites that promise to offer an expensive game as a gift — most of the time, it’s a scam.
  • Whenever possible, protect your accounts with two-factor authentication. Also, it’s important to dig through your account settings.
  • Use strong passwords — and a unique one for each account. This way, even if one of your accounts is stolen, the rest are not at risk. It’s safer not to use the same password for online games that you use for other services;
  • A strong and reliable security solution will be of great help to you, especially if it doesn’t slow down your computer while you are playing games. But at the same time, it will protect you from all possible cyber threats.
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As we have seen, it is better to hold back the euphoria and be cautious when purchasing the game.

Are you looking forward to Hogwarts Legacy?