TECHNOLOGY
Malware that steals credentials, credit card details abuse biggest new games
September 15, 2022 7:19 p.m.
In the first half of 2022, Kaspersky researchers detected increased activity of cybercriminals abusing gamers. The number of users attacked by malicious software, which gathers sensitive data and spreads under the guise of some of the most popular gaming titles, has increased by 13% compared to the first half of 2021.
In attempts to download new games from untrustworthy resources for free, players actually received malicious software, losing their gaming accounts and even money. These and other findings are part of the gaming-related threats report issued by Kaspersky.
To assess the current landscape in gaming risks, Kaspersky experts observed the most popular PC and mobile games-related threats. Overall, between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, Kaspersky security solutions detected more than 384,000 users affected by almost 92,000 malicious or unwanted unique files that mimicked 28 games or series of games.
In addition to the large number of downloaders that are able to install other unwanted programs, and adware, Kaspersky researchers even detected Trojan-Spies – a category of spyware capable of tracking any data entered on the keyboard and taking screenshots.
The research also revealed a growth in attacks made with malicious software that steals sensitive data from infected devices. It included Trojan-PSW, which gathers victims’ credentials, Trojan-Banker, that steals payment data, and Trojan-GameThief, which collects login information for gaming accounts.
From July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2022 Kaspersky security solutions detected a total of 3,705 unique files distributing this malicious software under the guise of popular games or series of games. In the first half of 2022, Kaspersky researchers observed a 13 percent increase in the number of users attacked with it in comparison to the first half of 2021. The number of such unique files used to infect users also increased in the first half of 2022 by nearly a quarter, compared to the same period in 2021: 1,868 and 1,530 files, respectively.
Most often, users receive malicious files when they try to download games not from official sites, but from third-party webpages. This is especially true if a new game is quite expensive and the player wants to save money by finding a copy for free on untrustworthy sites. However, they will lose much more than if they had bought a legitimate version. For example, many malicious files steal login information for gaming accounts, banking details and even crypto wallet data by infecting devices.
Attackers purposely seek to spread threats under the guise of games that either have a huge captive audience or that have only recently been released and are constantly on gamers’ radars. Well-known games such as Roblox, FIFA or Minecraft, for example, as well as the new parts of big series of games, released during the last year – Elden Ring, Halo, and Resident Evil – were actively abused by attackers who spread RedLine malware under their guise.
RedLine is password-stealing software, which extracts sensitive data from the victim’s device such as passwords, saved bank card details, cryptocurrency wallets, and credentials for VPN services.
From July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 Kaspersky solutions detected 2,362 unique users attacked with RedLine, spread under the guise of popular games, which makes it the most active threat family for the period given. Redline is usually sold for a very low price on various hacker forums, therefore, it has huge popularity among cybercriminals.
In addition to spreading malicious files, attackers continue to actively create and spread new phishing pages in the gaming sphere. For the first time Kaspersky experts discovered a new scheme of phishers attacking gamers. Mimicking the whole interface of in-game stores for CS:GO, PUBG and Warface, scammers create fraudulent pages, offering potential victims a decent arsenal of various weapons and artifacts for free.
To receive the gift, players need to enter login data for their social network accounts, such as Facebook or Twitter. After taking over accounts, attackers are likely to search through personal messages for card details, or ask various friends of the victim for money, preying on their trust and carelessness.
Scammers create fake in-game store mimicking the PUBG mobile interface. The scheme encourages users to log in using their social media credentials
“During the pandemic the gaming industry was greatly boosted, increasing the number of gaming fans several times over. As we can see, cybercriminals are actively abusing this trend, creating more and more new schemes and tools to attack players and steal their credit card data and even game accounts, which can contain expensive skins that can later be sold. We expect to see new types of attacks on gamers in the next year. For example, strikes on Esports, which are now gaining huge popularity around the world. That’s why it’s so important to always be protected, so you don’t lose your money, credentials, and gaming account,” comments Anton V. Ivanov, senior security researcher at Kaspersky.
Read about other gaming-related threats in 2022 in the full report on Securelist.
To stay safe while gaming, Kaspersky recommends:
- It is safer to download your games from official stores like Steam, Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore only. Games from these markets are not 100 % secure, but they at least are checked by store representatives and there is some kind of screening system: not every app can get into these stores.
- If you wish to buy a game that is not available through major stores, purchase them from the official website only. Double-check the URL of the website and make sure it is authentic.
- Beware of phishing campaigns and unfamiliar gamers. Do not open links received by email or in a game chat unless you trust the sender. Do not open files you get from strangers.
- Do not download pirated software or any other illegal content, even if you are redirected to it from a legitimate website.
- A strong, reliable security solution will be a great help to you, especially if it will not slow down your computer while you are playing, but at the same time, it will protect you from all possible cyberthreats. For example, Kaspersky Total Security works smoothly with Steam and other gaming services.
- Use a robust security solution to protect yourself from malicious software and its activity on mobile devices, such as Kaspersky Internet Security for Android.
TECHNOLOGY
One charge, endless power: realme teases C100 Series with up to 8000mAh Titan Battery
11:22 a.m. June 8, 2026
realme Philippines is gearing up for the launch of the realme C100 Series on June 18, and ahead of the big reveal, the brand is giving a first look at what the lineup is all about.
Anchored on the tagline “One Charge, Endless Power,” the C100 Series is built around two things Filipinos consistently look for in a smartphone: a battery that goes the distance and a build that holds up over time.
The realme C100 comes equipped with an 8000mAh Titan Battery, while the realme C100i carries a 7000mAh cell. Both are designed to deliver up to 1.5 days of use on a single charge, but what stands out is their long-term battery health – the realme C100 is rated to retain at least 80% capacity after 7 years of daily use, and the C100i after 6 years. The brand attributes this to its highly efficient energy consumption technology, which reduces battery wear over time without compromising on performance.
On the durability front, both models come with realme’s ArmorShell™ Protection and have been certified under the MIL-STD-810H military-grade shock resistance standard, with a verified drop resistance of up to 2 meters. The realme C100 takes protection further with IP69 Pro rating, making it resistant to dust, submersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The realme C100i is rated IP64, covering everyday splashes and dust exposure.
The Series also comes in a range of colorways. The realme C100 will be available in Glory White, Endurance Brown, and Victory Purple, all featuring realme’s Blooming Design, a shimmer finish crafted with micron-level sculpting that shifts with light. Meanwhile, the realme C100i comes in Dawn Purple and Dusk Gray.
The realme C100 Series will be officially unveiled on June 18 via a livestream on realme’s official Facebook page. Pricing and full details will be announced on launch day.
For more updates on the realme C100 Series, follow realme’s official Facebook page.
TECHNOLOGY
POCO Pad C1 arrives in PH, bringing big-screen entertainment wherever you go
9:21 a.m. June 3, 2026
POCO has officially introduced the POCO Pad C1 in the Philippines, expanding its ecosystem with a new tablet built for entertainment, productivity, and everyday use on the go.
Designed for users who want a larger screen experience without sacrificing portability, the POCO Pad C1 features a vibrant 2K display, a slim and lightweight design, a long-lasting battery, and the Snapdragon® 6s 4G Gen 2 Mobile Platform for smooth and reliable performance whether streaming, studying, browsing, or staying connected throughout the day.
Immersive Viewing in a Portable Design
The POCO Pad C1 features a superior 9.7-inch display¹ with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz,² delivering clear and smooth visuals for effortless entertainment. Reaching up to 600 nits of peak brightness,³ it also ensures consistent clarity for streaming and browsing, even in bright environments. Triple TÜV Rheinland eye-care certifications further help reduce eye strain, supporting more comfortable viewing throughout the day.
Beyond its impressive display, POCO Pad C1 is designed for both portability and durability. The slim metal unibody⁴ construction gives it a clean, refined look while delivering a comfortable in-hand feel for everyday use. For day-to-day durability, the device has undergone more than 40 rigorous quality tests,³ ensuring it can withstand everyday challenges with ease.
Long-Lasting Power for Uninterrupted Entertainment
POCO Pad C1 houses a massive 7,600mAh (typ) battery, offering up to 1.7 days of use to support entertainment, study, and everyday tasks.⁵ For uninterrupted enjoyment, POCO Pad C1 supports 18W fast charging,⁶ helping users spend less time waiting and more time staying immersed in what they love. Furthermore, POCO Pad C1 also boasts 10W reverse charging capability,⁷ making it a reliable and portable power bank.
Reliable Performance and Seamless User Experience
POCO Pad C1 is well-equipped with both hardware and software to meet the demands of everyday use. Fitted with the Snapdragon® 6s 4G Gen 2 Mobile Platform, POCO Pad C1 delivers reliable performance for daily entertainment and multitasking. It is available in configurations of up to 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage for smooth app launching and responsive performance.⁸ For users who need more storage, the device also supports up to 2TB of expandable storage,⁹ making it easy to store your favorite media content.
Running on Xiaomi HyperOS 3,¹⁰ POCO Pad C1 ensures seamless cross-device interactions through Xiaomi Interconnectivity.¹¹ Intelligent features such as Google Gemini¹² and Circle to Search with Google¹³ enable faster access to information and smarter everyday interactions. The lock screen, wallpaper, and desktop widgets are designed with a clean and refined look to deliver a better user experience.
Product Availability
The POCO Pad C1 will be available starting June 1, 2026, with special early bird offers until June 15. The 4GB + 64GB variant will retail for Php 8,499 (from Php 8,999), while the Shopee-exclusive 6GB + 128GB variant will be available for Php 9,999 (from Php 10,999).
TECHNOLOGY
Infinix GT 50 Pro: Where no lag, no heat, pure cool, and pure speed meet
6:40 p.m. May 29, 2026
Mobile gaming continuously pushes modern smartphones to their absolute limits. Extended gaming sessions and intense matches often lead to heavy overheating, causing frustrating frame drops and performance throttling that can disrupt the entire experience. For casual players, it interrupts moments of fun; for competitive eSports athletes, even a millisecond of lag can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Designed to eliminate these exact challenges, Infinix is set to launch its next-generation esports flagship: the Infinix GT 50 Pro.
Active HydroFlow Liquid Cooling: A Hardware Breakthrough
At the core of the Infinix GT 50 Pro is the proprietary HydroFlow Liquid Cooling system—an industry-first thermal management innovation that goes far beyond traditional passive cooling methods. Equipped with a dual-piezoelectric ceramic pump, the system actively circulates coolant through laser-engraved channels to rapidly dissipate heat away from critical internal components like the processor and battery.
The architecture’s large cooling layer is built directly with the main heat sink to fully cover 100% of the hottest core components, allowing users to enjoy smoother, more consistent gaming performance for longer periods. By minimizing thermal buildup directly at the source, the GT 50 Pro effectively prevents performance throttling and stabilizes FPS (Frames Per Second), ensuring gamers stay locked into the action during high-stakes moments.
During long, high-load gaming sessions, active cooling keeps temperatures stable by efficiently spreading and channeling heat away from critical areas, reducing processor throttling. This ensures consistently smooth performance, enabling native 144FPS support with stable high frame rates and minimal frame drops or stutter.
HydroFlow Liquid Cooling offers three selectable modes to match different usage needs. Smart Mode automatically adjusts and switches to the optimal flow velocity depending on the scenario for balanced performance and efficiency. Normal Mode runs at a lower flow velocity for everyday use with standard heat dissipation. Rapid Mode increases flow velocity for stronger heat dissipation, ideal for heavier workloads and more intense gaming sessions.
For gamers looking to push performance even further, the device seamlessly pairs with the GT Magcharge Cooler 2.0. This external cooling and charging accessory utilizes wireless bypass charging—directing power straight into the phone’s system rather than constantly cycling through the battery. Together, the GT 50 Pro and Magcharge Cooler deliver a comprehensive dual-cooling ecosystem built to withstand the most intense competitive matches.
Largest-Ever 3D Vapor Chamber in GT History
The GT 50 Pro packs the largest 3D Vapor Chamber ever in GT history, built to keep gameplay smooth even during long, intense gaming sessions. Think of it as a powerful cooling system inside the phone that helps pull heat away fast, so players can stay focused on winning instead of dealing with lag, overheating, or sudden frame drops.
With a massive 7,700mm² 3D Vapor Chamber and a total cooling area of 32,700mm², which is 63.5% bigger than the previous generation, the GT 50 Pro is designed to stay cool under pressure whether you’re grinding ranked matches, streaming, or multitasking for hours. Combined with ultra-large graphite cooling layers, the device delivers more stable performance so gamers can enjoy consistently smooth gameplay from start to finish.
The Trusted Choice of E-sports Pros
Engineered from the ground up for high-tier competitive play, the Infinix GT 50 Pro has earned its spot as the official gaming phone of MPL PH (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines). Chosen and trusted by the league’s top professional players, the GT 50 Pro provides the flawless stability, thermals, and sustained frame rates required to
The GT 50 Pro officially launches on June 10, but fans can already enjoy exclusive early deals ahead of the release.
Starting May 29 until June 10, the Infinix GT 50 Pro will be available for nationwide offline pre-sale. Customers who reserve early can unlock up to ₱11,999 worth of exclusive freebies and discounts. To secure a unit, simply visit any official Infinix concept store or kiosk and lock in your reservation today.
To learn more, visit Infinix’s official Facebook page, TikTok Shop, and website.
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