The gaming platform Steam has faced security challenges before, with Valve having previously implemented measures to protect players from malicious software. However, a recent incident suggests a new malware distribution method through a game update may have had severe consequences for at least one player.
According to cybersecurity firm G Data, the 2D side-scrolling game “BlockBlasters” received an update on August 30 that allegedly contained malware. This malicious software was designed to steal personal information from users’ PCs and, more alarmingly, was capable of draining cryptocurrency wallets.
One reported victim is streamer rastalandTV, who is bravely battling stage 4 cancer. While hosting a charity livestream, rastalandTV reportedly lost $32,000 in creator fees after being persuaded to download the compromised game from Steam. He courageously shared a video from his stream on social media, detailing the unfortunate event as a warning to others. Many users have since offered financial support to help him recover the stolen funds.
The exact number of users affected by the “BlockBlasters” malware remains unknown. Following these disturbing reports, the game has been delisted from Steam, indicating that Valve is now investigating the issue. Third-party tracking website SteamDB has also flagged the game as “suspicious.”
This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier this year, Valve removed another game, “PirateFi,” due to similar malware concerns and issued warnings to all its downloaders. Fortunately, “PirateFi” players might have avoided significant harm as the game often failed to run. However, “BlockBlasters” players might not be as lucky, underscoring the critical need for Steam to enhance its security protocols and for users to exercise extreme caution with game updates.