Avira warns online gamers: be careful with add-ons and automatic game updates

Wed, 30 July 2008

Online games are popular, but gamers are frequently the target of cyber criminals

Tettnang, 30 July 2008 – The online gaming community is growing – and with it the danger of malware infections, phishing and DoS attacks. Alexander Vukcevic, manager of the virus laboratory at Avira, says: "Gamers very often renounce sufficient IT protection in order to use the complete computer performance for games. By doing this the computer is susceptive to malware, without any virus protection, and naturally can cause trouble undetected". Online gamers specially distinguish themselves because of frequent computer use. High performance computers are often linked to the internet around the clock making them especially attractive for the criminal. Alexander Vukcevic explains: "If a hacker is able to infect such PCs with malware then they are able to use the computer for their own purposes and gain access to important resources. Often this also concerns key loggers which save keyboard data and can therefore access passwords".

Online games continually develop and adapt to the needs of the ambitious gamer who would like to spend a number of hours at a time playing their favourite games. So-called "add-ons" enable the game interface to be optimized and are available in considerable amounts from various sources on the internet. In order to save time and expenditure, gamers can access special update software which relieves them of work and automatically searches for add-ons (from internal as well as external sources) and installs them on the computer. Add-ons from an external source present a great danger because it is questionable as to whether the update software has checked these add-ons for gaps in protection and is able to detect potential dangers. Alexander Vukcevic advises: "Gamers should only permit add-ons from internal sources of the installed update software in order to reduce the danger of malware infection. Furthermore, Phishing emails present a great danger by targeting the gamer´s entry data. This threat is not new, however it should not be underestimated. In our virus laboratory we analyse many Phishing emails which promote new game versions with beta keys and in try to gain access to the user´s personal data". Alexander Vukcevic adds: "Avira’s software protects the user from infected websites and Phishing emails which may be aimed especially at the gamer, therefore enabling them to relax and immerse themselves in the colourful game-world".

Avira solutions work in a resource-protected mode and are distinguished by quick updates so that the ardent gamer does not have to renounce the high quality flow of the game. The fact that Avira AntiVir is discreetly active in the background is of special significance: game mode can be easily enabled with the right-hand mouse key via the Tray icon of the software and suppresses the interfering message window of the firewall. The normal based protective effect of the Avira firewall against attacks from outside remains the same as defined in the system. New applications which search for access to the network are temporally permitted.

At the Games Convention this year from 21st -24th August in Leipzig, Avira, as a partner of Ubisoft, will inform the game fans, at Stand B11 in Hall 3, about IT security and the required virus protection solutions.


About Avira
Avira is a leading worldwide provider of self-developed protection solutions for professional and private use. The company belongs to the pioneers in this sector with over twenty years experience.

The protection experts have numerous company locations throughout Germany and cultivate partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. Avira employ more than 180 employees at their main office in Tettnang on Lake Constance and is one of the largest employers in the region. There are around 250 people employed worldwide whose commitment is continually being confirmed by awards. A significant contribution to protection is the Avira Antivir Personal which is being used by private users a million times over.

Well-known listed companies as well as educational organizations and public employers belong to the list of national and international customers. In addition to the protection of the virtual environment, Avira cares for more protection and safety in the real world by promotion of the Auerbach Trust. The Auerbach Trust of the founder of the company promotes common and social projects as well as the arts, culture and science.


Company contact:
Avira GmbH
Elisabeth Rothbart
Lochhamer Schlag 5a
D-82166 Gräfelfing/München
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 17
Telefax: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 20
Email:  

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