Ethical Hacking News
A pirate-themed survival game containing malware was uploaded to Steam and removed after causing concern among users. With an estimated 800 to 1,500 potential victims, the incident highlights the vulnerabilities of online gaming ecosystems and raises questions about Steam's security measures.
PirateFi, a pirate-themed survival game, was uploaded to Steam with malware that stole users' browser cookies. The game's developer page was fake, and the malware-infected game gained traction among Steam users before being removed. Some users' anti-virus software detected the malware as "Trojan.Win32.Lazzzy.gen," suggesting sophisticated hacking techniques were used. Affected users received warnings from Valve to run a full system scan and potentially reinstall Windows for safety. The incident highlights Steam's security vulnerabilities and the importance of user vigilance when downloading games online.
Steam, one of the largest digital distribution platforms for PC games, recently faced a security breach that highlights the vulnerabilities of online gaming ecosystems. A pirate-themed survival game called PirateFi was uploaded to Steam under the developer name Seaworth Interactive, despite containing malware designed to steal users' browser cookies. The game was removed from the platform after it was discovered, leaving an estimated 800 to 1,500 users potentially affected.
The incident began when hackers uploaded PirateFi to Steam's storefront, creating a fake developer page with no website or social media presence. This lack of transparency should have raised red flags for potential users, but many were unaware of the danger lurking beneath the game's pirate-themed facade. The malware-infected game was available for free-to-play download, and it quickly gained traction among Steam users.
However, not everyone was duped by the fake game. PCMag reported that some users' anti-virus software flagged PirateFi as "Trojan.Win32.Lazzzy.gen," a type of malware designed to steal browser cookies. This information suggests that the hackers who created the malware were skilled and well-versed in their craft, using a sophisticated technique to evade detection.
The malicious nature of PirateFi became apparent when users reported strange behavior from the game's chat feature. One user even claimed to have received job offers for an "in-game chat moderator" posted by someone representing PirateFi, but which appeared to be a fake chatbot. This revelation further highlighted the potential risks associated with downloading and playing games on Steam.
When Valve, the company behind Steam, took down the game, they sent a message to affected users warning them about the suspected malware. The message advised users to run a full system scan with anti-virus software and check for any newly installed software on their systems as a precautionary measure. In extreme cases, Valve recommended reinstalling Windows to completely rid their systems of any potential malware.
The incident raises questions about Steam's security measures and how such a malicious game could be allowed onto the platform in the first place. It also highlights the importance of user vigilance and awareness when downloading and playing games online.
Valve has not commented on the incident, leaving many to wonder what measures they will take to prevent similar breaches in the future. As for the people affected by PirateFi, it remains to be seen how they will recover from this experience. Will they be able to fully trust Steam again? Only time will tell.
Related Information:
https://gizmodo.com/hackers-somehow-uploaded-a-game-full-of-malware-on-steam-2000563713
https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/online-security/new-indie-game-found-spreading-malware-on-steam-how-to-see-if-your-pc-is-infected-and-what-to-do-next
Published: Thu Feb 13 13:23:46 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
