The most hacked games and why they're targets

What does “hacked” mean in gaming?

In the context of video games, "hacking" means manipulating a game's code, systems, or data to gain unfair advantages. Video game hackers may exploit game vulnerabilities or use unauthorized tools to gain unfair advantages, manipulate gameplay, or bypass restrictions. Such tactics often disrupt the experience for legitimate players, leading to unfair outcomes and compromised security. 

Beyond game manipulation, malicious actors may also try to hack the players. If a hacker decides to compromise a specific player (for example, a known streamer), they could try to breach their account to steal it, take the player’s virtual currency, or ruin their progress in the game. 

Finally, hackers can sometimes hack video games to deny players access and cause havoc for gaming companies. Using distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, ransomware, and brute- force attacks, malicious actors can crash the game servers, costing gaming companies tons of money and preventing players from enjoying their favorite games. 

However, it’s not all just bad. White-hat hackers may sometimes release cheat-traps – software that seems like a cheat but instead exposes the actual cheaters. For example, players like ScriptKid (currently inactive) were particularly known for their efforts to “counterhack” cheaters in shooter games such as CS:GO or PUBG.

Which games are the most hacked? 

When it comes to video game hacking, it’s usually the bigger the game, the bigger the target. According to the Kaspersky 2025 report on Gen Z gaming habits¹, hacking continues to plague the most popular games, such as Minecraft or Roblox. Based on Kaspersky’s data collected between April 1, 2024,  and March 31, 2025, the most hacked games were:

1. 1.Grand Theft Auto (almost 4.5 million attack attempts).
2. 2.Minecraft (over 4 million attack attempts).
3. 3.Call of Duty (2.6 million attack attempts).
4. 4.The Sims (2.4 million attack attempts).
5. 5.Roblox (over 1.5 million attack attempts).
6. 6.FIFA (over 900,000 attack attempts).
7. 7.Among Us (over 760,000 attack attempts).
8. 8.Assassin’s Creed (over 560,000 attack attempts).
9. 9.CS:GO (almost 380,000 attack attempts).
10. 10.Red Dead Redemption (almost 350,000 attack attempts).

Based on Kaspersky's report, throughout the period of the research, hackers attempted over 19 million attacks in total. Over 17 million of those included unwanted malware, followed by adware and trojans, which attackers used on more than 530,000 and 255,000 attempts, respectively. Naturally, these numbers pose questions like “is Roblox safe?” or “how can I safeguard myself while playing GTA?” Before answering these questions, first, we need to find out why hackers exploit these games, specifically.

Why do some games get exploited more than others?

The video game industry earns at least twice as much as the music and movie industries combined.² That alone is enough to make video games a massive target for hackers and cybercriminals. Games that have a massive number of players, a lot of whom are younger in age, make a perfect target for malicious actors. Other important factors also include:

• Popularity and a large player base. More players mean more opportunities for hackers to launch successful attacks. That’s why games like Minecraft or GTA V (the best and second-best-selling games ever, respectively) are the leading targets among cybercriminals.
• Access to online features and in-game transactions. Hackers often target video games that offer online features, such as multiplayer modes and in-game purchases. That’s because online lobbies provide quick and easy access to unsuspecting players, making it a perfect starting point to distribute scams, phishing attacks, or malware.
• Prevalence of mods and custom content. Games that allow custom content or mods, like Minecraft and Roblox, create opportunities for hackers to inject malicious code into the game through third-party software. Since you can find countless mods online, it also makes it easy for hackers to cover their tracks.
• In-game economies. Most online games have thriving in-game economies where players trade virtual items or currency. Since games offer an opportunity to obtain this currency through financial payments (as well as earning it during gameplay), it creates a lucrative opportunity for hackers to exploit the system for financial gain.
• Frequent updates and expansions. Regular updates often introduce new features and patch vulnerabilities, but they also present opportunities for hackers to find and exploit new weaknesses before developers can fix them. Malicious actors may also use frequent content updates to slip malware to unsuspecting users.
• Player behavior. Some games attract players who are less cautious with their data (for example, kids) or who use third-party tools. For experienced scammers, manipulating such players into exposing sensitive data or transferring money may often be a piece of cake.

How does game hacking impact the gaming community?

Game hacking and cheating have taken a significant toll on the gaming community. According to the PlaySafeID report, a whopping 42% of gamers have considered quitting the game entirely because of cheaters.³ In addition, Cloudflare’s research shows gaming was the fourth most targeted industry by distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attackers in the second quarter of 2025.⁴ These statistics prove that hacking and cheating not only affect individual players but also have broader consequences for the entire gaming community, including:

• Ruined player experience. By cheating, hackers gain unfair advantages, making the games frustrating and sometimes even unplayable for casual gamers.
• Decreased trust in the game. When players experience hacking incidents, it can erode trust in the game developers (and the game itself), causing some to abandon it altogether.
• Loss of competitive integrity. Competitive games, in particular, suffer when cheaters use hacks like aim-bots and wallhacks, undermining the fairness of gameplay and ruining the experience.
• Financial impact. Cyberattacks on games with in-game purchases or valuable virtual assets can result in significant financial losses for both players and developers in the form of scams, DDoS attacks, or even ransomware.
• Community divide. Frequent hacking incidents can create divisions within the gaming community, with some players turning to cheating and others advocating for fair play. That may create a toxic community, forcing players to waste energy on pointless online arguments or quit the game altogether.

What are the common security vulnerabilities in games?

The most common security vulnerabilities in video games can range from developer errors to player blunders, including:

• Unpatched vulnerabilities in game software. Unfixed vulnerabilities in game code let malicious actors exploit them. Through unpatched system vulnerabilities, hackers can inject malicious code, launch ransomware attacks, or initiate a DDoS attack.
• Weak authentication and account security. Games with weak password policies or poor account protection are prime targets for account theft and unauthorized access.
• Insufficient chat moderation and a lack of phishing-detection tools. Cybercriminals may exploit online game chatrooms with phishing and social engineering tactics. Successful attacks trick players into revealing personal information, such as login credentials. This threat is common in online games (or games that support online features) that host a vast number of players, lack proper chat moderation, or strong encryption for communications.
• Malicious mods and add-ons. Playing with mods can enhance the gaming experience a hundredfold, but it can also introduce malware if you download the mod from untrusted sources. Since players create thousands of mods, it’s easy for hackers to use them to disguise harmful files, making this vulnerability one of the most prevalent dangers of online gaming.
• Insecure game servers and APIs. Threat actors can exploit insecure servers or APIs to gain unauthorized access to game data or, in rare cases, to launch man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
• Cheating tools and exploits. Many hackers use publicly available tools to cheat in games, such as aim-bots or wallhacks, which can be downloaded and used to disrupt gameplay. It’s one of the most common vulnerabilities in online gaming.
• XSS (Cross-site scripting) in game websites. Experienced hackers can execute malicious scripts that steal player data or spread malware on online game websites. While the likelihood of such an attack is rare, it still poses a serious threat to gamers.
• Exploitation of the in-game economy. Online games with virtual currencies, items, or transactions provide an opportunity to manipulate players, causing imbalances in the virtual economy and financial loss to gamers.

What can gamers do to stay safe in the most exploited games?

Your online security largely depends on your efforts, so it’s best to take matters into your own hands, especially when it comes to staying safe while playing in the cloud. While it may not seem like users can do much to safeguard against malicious actors, in reality, gamers can implement at least a few steps to stay safe while playing:

1. 1.Use strong, unique passwords. Creating strong passwords can prevent hackers from gaining access through brute force attacks. Using a password manager is a smart choice, too.
2. 2.Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA offers an additional layer of safety when logging into your online accounts, so make sure to enable it on your Steam, Riot, PlayStation, Xbox, and Epic accounts. That way, you’ll know when someone’s trying to hijack your account or complete unauthorized transactions.
3. 3.Use a VPN. A VPN encrypts your data, protecting you from DDoS attacks by changing your IP address, and can sometimes ensure a smoother gaming experience. Different VPN providers may also offer additional perks, such as securing your Wi-Fi connection or blocking ads.
4. 4.Avoid downloading unverified mods, add-ons, and links. Sticking to official sources when downloading game mods or add-ons can help avoid malware. Make sure to check the reviews regarding the mods’ safety before installing them in your games.
5. 5.Be wary of phishing scams and fake giveaways. Always verify the legitimacy of offers or promotions, especially those promising free in-game currency or exclusive items. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
6. 6.Limit the sharing of personal information. Be cautious about what personal details you share, and avoid sharing accounts or passwords with others.
7. 7.Be cautious with third-party tools. Third-party tools often come from unverified sources, so avoid using such software until you’re sure it doesn’t contain malware.
8. 8.Activate game-specific security features. If a game comes with extra security features, use them. That will add extra protection against unauthorized access and similar cyber risks.
9. 9.Report suspicious behavior. Report any suspicious activity you encounter in-game to the developers to help maintain a fair gaming environment. Your proactiveness will only benefit the community.
10. 10.Regularly update your game and software. System and software updates are crucial because they often include security patches. Before playing, make sure your game and operating system are up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities.
11. 11.Beware of cracked or pirated versions of games. Malicious actors may exploit the users’ temptation to download pirated software. They may inject malware, such as Trojans, into cracked software, which can lead to viruses, unwanted pop-ups, or even ransomware attacks. Purchasing games from legitimate sources reduces the chances of downloading compromised versions to a minimum.
12. 12.Educate yourself on the latest cyber threats. Staying informed about emerging cybersecurity threats helps you recognize the threats before they occur. For example, if you’re a parent, checking out tips on Roblox safety for kids can prevent potential trouble. And it’s not just Roblox — learning the vulnerabilities of games such as Minecraft, GTA, or Call of Duty can also improve your resistance to the most common video game threats.

While it’s almost impossible to keep your data completely safe, you can still take steps to limit the exposure of your data and protect yourself from malicious actors. A great way to do it is to invest in a VPN, or virtual private network. But is a VPN worth using?

If you take online security seriously, a VPN is absolutely worth it, regardless of whether you’re a gamer or not. A VPN encrypts your data and changes your IP address, protecting you from DDoS attacks that could force you offline during a competitive match. While saying that a VPN protects you from hackers is an overstatement, it can still improve both your gaming experience and your personal privacy (as long as you avoid choosing unknown third-party free VPN providers).

If you’re looking for a VPN for gaming, NordVPN is one of the best choices online. With 8,300 servers in 165 locations, uninterrupted gaming is at your fingertips. The service also includes the Threat Protection Pro™ feature, which helps identify malware-ridden downloads, stops you from landing on malicious websites, and blocks trackers and intrusive ads on the spot.

References

¹ How cybercriminals exploit the popularity of Gen Z’s favorite games | Kaspersky official blog. (n.d.).

² MediaCat. (2024, October 22). Dentsu: “Gaming is bigger than music and movies combined” - MediaCat UK.  

³ Report: Gamings cheating crisis Report — PlaySafe ID. (n.d.).

⁴ Hyper-volumetric DDoS attacks skyrocket: Cloudflare’s 2025 Q2 DDoS threat report. (2025, October 8). The Cloudflare Blog.