Gamers have been warned to be more security conscious due to the increasing number of online criminals stealing virtual assets and selling them for real money.Security vendor Trend Micro reported that more than 3,600 spyware attacks on log-in and password information for online games occurred last year. Players of online games such as Second Life and World of Warcraft were targeted via spam e-mail messages claiming to offer virtual goods, which then stole password information.Last year, Microsoft highlighted to gamers that hackers were using software to infiltrate PCs and steal account details. The hackers then sold the stolen items, such as virtual gold, clothing and weapons, to other gamers on auction sites. Avatars, or virtual representations of a user, for World of Warcraft have been known to sell for hundreds of dollars. -Zoe Mutter, PC Advisor Related content feature Top cybersecurity M&A deals for 2023 Fears of recession, rising interest rates, mass tech layoffs, and conservative spending trends are likely to make dealmakers cautious, but an ever-increasing need to defend against bigger and faster attacks will likely keep M&A activity steady in By CSO Staff Sep 22, 2023 24 mins Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and Acquisitions brandpost Unmasking ransomware threat clusters: Why it matters to defenders Similar patterns of behavior among ransomware treat groups can help security teams better understand and prepare for attacks By Joan Goodchild Sep 21, 2023 3 mins Cybercrime news analysis China’s offensive cyber operations support “soft power” agenda in Africa Researchers track Chinese cyber espionage intrusions targeting African industrial sectors. By Michael Hill Sep 21, 2023 5 mins Advanced Persistent Threats Cyberattacks Critical Infrastructure brandpost Proactive OT security requires visibility + prevention You cannot protect your operation by simply watching and waiting. It is essential to have a defense-in-depth approach. By Austen Byers Sep 21, 2023 4 mins Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe