Gaming
How Minecraft and Game Modding Can Undermine Your Security

Written by Márk Szabó, a Security Writer at ESET
ESET Research has revealed a concerning fact — gamers are being targeted by cybercriminals, and it’s no mystery why they are such meaty targets. The gaming industry is huge — some games generate millions in monthly revenue, satisfying gamers and executives simultaneously. However, in some cases, gaming can present some very real dangers that are a bit more severe than getting a virtual arrow in your knee.
I wanna be, the very best
How far will a person go to excel in their game? With the advent of online gaming, more and more people are playing together in real time, leading to more social interactions than ever before. This can lead to a lot of pressure, especially when playing online games with a player vs. player (PVP) aspect like multiplayer shooters or battle arenas.
When you want to be the best, you will focus on improving your skills, right? Well, quite a few people would rather cheat their way to the top of the rankings, raking in the gain without the pain.
The game has just begun
However, cheats are not the only attack vectors for infostealers to infiltrate your device. When you really like a game, like Minecraft, for example, you might want to go beyond what the developer offers with the default set of assets and gameplay scenarios. For example, players of the Java version of Minecraft often modify their worlds by adding additional creatures, building blocks, or more ways to use redstone, leading to creations such as functional computers inside the game (the creativity is limitless, really).
While it is great that players seek more creative ways to redefine their game experiences, cybercriminals also abuse this. You see, mods (game modifications) are usually available as downloads —– for Minecraft, typically on web pages like Planet Minecraft or Minecraft Mods. These are all publicly available platforms, hence why cybercriminals try to exploit such places with their nefarious prospecting by updating modifications and injecting them with malicious code.
Such was the case reported by Bleeping Computer, when hackers compromised several accounts on modding platforms to distribute infostealers, hijacking existing projects. Sadly, sometimes not even official resources are free of exploitation due to various vulnerabilities, as was the case when 50,000 Minecraft accounts were infected due to skins injected with malware capable of reformatting hard drives and deleting backups plus system programs, offered as a download on the game’s website.
Nothing is true; everything is permitted
Apart from infostealers, phishing is also trendy in gaming circles. Gaming placed No. 10 in the top phishing website category by ESET Research. To paint a picture of how this happens, consider when a gamer is playing an online MMO like World of Warcraft or a game with virtual currency such as Fortnite.
Character skins and various XP boosts might require you to purchase them with said virtual currency. In WoW’s case, for example, there’s the WoW token. You either purchase one with in-game gold for game time or Battle.net balance (enabling real currency purchases) or do the opposite and purchase one for an influx of in-game gold with real money. Imagine it as a foreign exchange of sorts.
Similarly, in Fortnite, V-Bucks are used to purchase outfits, emotes, and Battle Passes. All these are rather tempting for various reasons, especially when you want to stand out among an online crowd.
Kids, teenagers, and even adults don’t know better sometimes. Via the chat functions in these games (unless disabled or if the account has a parental lock), gamers can be tempted by fellow players to visit certain websites to receive either currency for free! Just insert your login details and you’ll immediately receive an influx of your desired virtual cash/token. Or, more likely, your credentials and account will get stolen, since now you’ve been successfully phished by a cybercriminal.
Infostealer detections
ESET telemetry continues to detect threats like RedLine Stealer and Lumma Stealer, with the former achieving localized detection peaks coming mostly from states such as Germany, Spain, and Japan.
On the other hand, Lumma switched its malware to a new variant, leading to a growing trend in its detections as Win/Spy.Agent.QLD.
Both infostealers have been detected in payloads of files masking themselves as cheating tools or video game cracks (game executables bypassing copy protection). All in all, infostealers have seen a slight rise compared to the previous period (4% increase) globally.
ESET has also detected Epsilon Stealer (as JS/PSW.Agent trojan variants .CH and .CI). It was recently present in a popular mod of Slay the Spire, pushed through the Steam update system, after having breached the developer accounts on Steam and Discord. Once installed, Epsilon looks to exfiltrate cookies, saved passwords, and credit card details from web browsers, plus login info for Steam, Windows, and other accounts.
Stay awhile and listen
To protect against infostealers and other malicious threats, your best bet is to raise your protection with strong next-gen security software, so that it can assure a strong safety net in case a modpack gets infected or if someone downloads an infected executable that has already been caught by one of our global sensors.
The same software also offers anti-phishing protection and secure browsing to block suspicious websites or emails, and to guarantee a safe browsing experience while socializing online.
As for account security, use diverse passwords, store your credentials in password managers (instead of browsers), and use the app or biometrics-based multi-factor authentication instead of SMS to add another layer to your account’s security, keeping threat actors at bay.

Displays
Lenovo Legion R34w-30 Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review: Smooth Gaming Meets Stunning Visuals

The Lenovo Legion R34w-30 is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor designed to deliver immersive gameplay and enhanced productivity. With a 180Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium, and WQHD resolution, it stands as a compelling option in the mid-range ultrawide gaming monitor segment.
Design and Build Quality
The Legion R34w-30 sports a sleek, gamer-friendly aesthetic with a matte black finish and subtle Legion branding, keeping the design professional yet purposeful. The thin bezels on three sides enhance immersion, making it ideal for multi-monitor configurations.
The stand is sturdy but somewhat limited in adjustability—it supports tilt (-5° to +22°), swivel (-30° to +30°), a 135 mm lift range, cable management hole, and a phone holder. The monitor is VESA-compatible (100x100mm), allowing for third-party mounting solutions. While the build is primarily plastic, it feels robust enough for daily use.
Screen Size and Aspect Ratio
Featuring a 34-inch ultrawide (21:9) display with a 1500R curvature, the Legion R34w-30 wraps around the user’s field of vision, enhancing immersion in both gaming and productivity tasks. The extra screen real estate is excellent for multitasking, allowing for side-by-side app usage without feeling cramped.
Resolution and Picture Quality
The monitor’s WQHD (3440 x 1440) resolution delivers sharp, detailed visuals with strong pixel density. The VA panel excels in contrast, offering deep blacks (3000:1 contrast ratio) and vibrant colours, though viewing angles are slightly inferior to IPS panels.
With 350 cd/㎡ brightness and HDR400 support, the display remains visible even in well-lit environments. Colour accuracy is impressive, covering 90% DCI-P3 and 99% sRGB, making it suitable for both gaming and content creation.
Refresh Rate, Response Time and Adaptive Sync
Gamers will appreciate the 180Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth, fluid gameplay with minimal motion blur. The 1ms MPRT (4ms GTG) response time is solid for fast-paced gaming, though not class-leading.
AMD FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing when paired with compatible AMD GPUs, and it also works in NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible mode, providing flexibility for different setups.
Gaming Performance
The ultrawide aspect ratio provides a wider field of view (FOV) in racing sims like Forza Horizon and F1, as well as RPGs such as Cyberpunk 2077, enhancing immersion. The VA panel minimises ghosting, ensuring clear motion in fast-paced scenes. While HDR400 improves dynamic range, it doesn’t match the impact of higher-tier HDR displays. Still, for the price, it’s a respectable addition.
Setup and Ergonomics
The monitor’s tilt adjustment (-5° to +22°) is its only ergonomic feature, lacking height, swivel, or pivot adjustments. Connectivity includes:
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- 2x HDMI 2.0
- 1x 3.5mm audio jack
A notable omission is a USB hub.
Overall Performance and Verdict
The Lenovo Legion R34w-30 is an excellent mid-range ultrawide gaming monitor, offering strong color accuracy, smooth performance, and an immersive curved display. While it lacks USB ports, its 180Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, and WQHD resolution make it a compelling choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals alike.
Pros:
✅ 144Hz + FreeSync Premium
✅ WQHD + 1500R Curvature
✅ High Contrast VA Panel
✅ HDR400 Support
Cons:
❌ No USB Hub – Limits peripheral connectivity
Price: $400 approx.
Lenovo Legion R34w-30 Ultrawide Gaming Monitor $400 approx.
Summary
The ultrawide aspect ratio provides a wider field of view (FOV) in racing sims like Forza Horizon and F1, as well as RPGs such as Cyberpunk 2077, enhancing immersion. The VA panel minimizes ghosting, ensuring clear motion in fast-paced scenes.
User Review
( votes)Apps
AppGallery Gamers Cup Returns to Iraq

The much-anticipated AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC) returned to Iraq with the AGC-Yalla Ludo Friendly Cup on March 21, bringing together the wider gaming community. The event was organized in collaboration with Jetour Iraq and its exclusive distributor, Harlem for Commercial Agencies, a subsidiary of Harlem Group. This year’s tournament witnessed 64 players, carefully selected from a record-breaking 38,000 online registrations, compete in intense, back-to-back matches for a share of the $6,000 prize pool.
The tournament, featuring the popular Yalla Ludo game, highlights the increasing demand for competitive gaming experiences across the Middle East. It further strengthens HUAWEI AppGallery’s commitment to supporting the region’s thriving gaming ecosystem and fostering esports growth.
William Hu, Managing Director, Huawei Consumer Business Group, Middle East and Africa Eco-Development and Operation, added, “We are very proud of the success of the AGC – Yalla Ludo Friendly Cup. This event is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering esports in the region and connecting with passionate gaming communities. We are honored to collaborate with Yalla Ludo and Jetour, further strengthening our dedication to creating exciting opportunities for players and fans alike. This is just the beginning of many more initiatives to come, and we look forward to seeing the continued growth of esports in Iraq and beyond.”
Mohamed Majeed, Harlem Group Representative, also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Huawei at such a prestigious event. He highlighted Harlem Group’s commitment to innovation and support for digital advancements in Iraq. “Harlem Group has always been at the forefront of fostering technological progress in Iraq. We are proud to sponsor this event through Jetour Iraq,” he said.
Displays
Alienware Announces Six New Gaming Monitors

Alienware has announced updates across its monitor lineup, introducing new QD-OLED displays and a revamped design language to attract a broader range of gamers. The company has introduced three new QD-OLED monitors, bringing its total offerings in this category to five. These monitors aim to deliver superior visual performance for gamers:
- The Alienware 34 Ultra-Wide QD-OLED Monitor (AW3425DW) features a 240Hz refresh rate, enhanced connectivity with HDMI 2.1, and certifications such as G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. The ultra-wide design with WQHD resolution provides an immersive experience.
- The Alienware 27 280Hz QD-OLED Monitor (AW2725D) combines a QHD resolution with a high refresh rate, offering both vivid imagery and smooth gameplay.
- The Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Monitor (AW2725Q) achieves a pixel density of 166 PPI, setting a record for clarity and detail in OLED and QD-OLED monitors.
Alienware continues to offer a 3-year limited OLED burn-in warranty for its QD-OLED monitors, addressing durability concerns.
The company is also introducing three additional monitors in its QHD range, catering to varying preferences in size and price. These include:
- A 34-inch ultrawide model (AW3425DWM) for an expansive gaming setup.
- A 32-inch 16:9 model (AW3225DM) for larger desktop screens.
- A compact 27-inch monitor (AW2725DM) delivering the same performance in a smaller form factor.
All three models support a 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and features like NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync for smooth, tear-free gaming.
The new AW30 design language unifies Alienware’s monitor portfolio with a modern aesthetic. Inspired by celestial phenomena such as the Aurora Borealis, the design emphasizes performance and functionality. First revealed at CES, this design evolution coincides with Alienware’s 30th anniversary.
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