Minecraft and Roblox are popular platforms for creativity and community engagement among younger audiences, but they also attract cybercriminals who exploit players by disguising malware as mods, cheats, or automation tools. A mod, short for "modification," is a user-created software extension that alters gameplay in Minecraft, but these mods can be maliciously exploited. Recent threats include over 500 GitHub repositories distributing an infostealer disguised as Minecraft mods and attacks using popular modding platforms like Bukkit and CurseForge to spread malware.
Attackers often present malware as essential mods, which can lead to harmful background processes once installed. Common types of malware masquerading as mods include Trojans, infostealers, ransomware, and cryptominers. To reduce risks, players should download mods from trusted platforms, verify developers' reputations, be cautious of unusual file types, and use security software to check downloads. If a suspicious mod is installed, players should delete it, run a full antimalware scan, reinstall Minecraft from the official website, change passwords, and consult cybersecurity professionals if needed.
To stay safe while using mods, players should use non-administrator accounts, keep systems updated, maintain regular backups, and implement robust security measures.