Another new internet fraud is circulating that may result in PC gamers losing access to their Steam accounts or perhaps getting their systems infected with a virus.
Valve's Steam is a video game digital distribution service. In September 2003, it was released as a separate software client as a mechanism for Valve to give automatic updates for their games, and it was eventually expanded to also include titles from third-party publishers.
If one has ever played a multiplayer online game, then they must be probably familiar with skins. Skins are decorative overlays for in-game goods that are widely traded in. These are, however, available to buy for either virtual or real money.
Malwarebytes has issued a warning about a potential skins fraud that might result in users losing access to their accounts and their vast library of video games. As per a recent blog post from Malwarebytes Labs, one of the earliest frauds is skin phishing, wherein a scammer creates a false marketplace, a replica of a genuine game-themed lounge, or even a fake user's trade inventory page to breach an account.
The fact that this strategy may be performed out in a very short period makes it highly risky. A scammer will commence by sending out a message with a malicious link to potential suspects on Steam or Discord. The messages are like this;
“Yo, I don’t know you, unfortunately, but this is for you, I do not need that knife [link]”
“I haven’t met you, unfortunately (or not lol), but take it, I dont don’t need that skin [link]”
After a user's Steam account has been compromised, they must contact the Steam assistance team to try to restore it, but by then, the fraudster has most likely altered their password as well as other login details. To make the matter worse, they might attempt identity theft by signing into a victim's additional online accounts with their Steam credentials.
Malwarebytes suggests that Steam users must set two-factor authentication (2FA) for their accounts as well as avoid clicking on any URLs from unfamiliar persons in-game or online to safeguard themselves from this and other similar scams.
