Cybercriminals target 91% of children playing games online: research

ISLAMABAD: A new online research has revealed that cybercriminals pose a threat to 91 per cent of children aged between 3 and 15 who play games on any device.

The online statistical research, conducted by global cybersecurity and digital privacy company Kaspersky, also found that the number of smart home threat cases with children as potential targets will increase in the future.

Experts from Kaspersky have explored some of the key cybersecurity trends that parents should be aware of and provided tips on how to safeguard their children’s online activities.

According to a UN study, about 80 per cent of young people claimed they interact with artificial intelligence (AI) multiple times a day. With the development of AI, numerous little-known applications have emerged with seemingly harmless features. However, AI apps, especially chatbots, can easily provide age-inappropriate content when prompted.

For some games, unmoderated voice and text chat is a large part of the experience. With more young people online, criminals can virtually build trust in the same way they would in person. Cybercriminals gain the trust of young players by luring them with gifts. Once they have the confidence of a young gamer, they then obtain their personal information by suggesting that they click on a phishing link.

According to Kaspersky, the number of smart home threat cases with children as potential targets will increase.

Despite the rising number of cases of threats to smart home devices, manufacturers are not rushing to create cyber-immune tech that preemptively prevents potential exploits of vulnerabilities. This also means that children can become tools for cybercriminals in an attack.

Kaspersky experts are convinced that protecting children from cybersecurity threats in 2024 requires proactive measures from parents. By staying informed about the latest threats and actively monitoring their children’s online activities, parents can create a safer online environment for their kids.

Web Desk