Users are warned to be careful when downloading games for Windows from the Microsoft Store as there is malware lurking in copies of some popular games.
According to Howtogeek, before downloading anything, users need to make sure it’s a genuine app and not a fake one. This comes as security research firm Check Point says it has discovered copies of many popular games like Temple Run and Subway Surfers appearing on the Microsoft Store containing Electron Bot malware.
Electron Bot is a backdoor that allows attackers to take full control of infected machines with the goal of social media and click fraud through Facebook, Google, YouTube, and Sound Cloud.
Game publishers confirmed to publish fake games include Lupy games, Crazy 4 games, Jeuxjeuxkeux games, Akshi games, Goo Games, and Bizzon Case. If a user sees a game from any of these companies, don’t download them. An example of a game name is Temple Endless Runner 2, which might make many people think it’s a sequel to Temple Run. So far, the malware has infected around 5,000 computers in Sweden, Israel, Spain, and Bermuda, and there is sure to be more as it spreads.
To avoid getting infected, be sure to ignore Microsoft Store games whose names don’t exactly match a known game. Beware of games with high review scores but low review counts, and avoid any games from the publishers listed above.