| Abstract: | As online games become increasingly complex and continue to gain popularity, malware authors will be compelled to target these virtual worlds for launching attacks. Online games' large attack surfaces are an unfortunate consequence of the technological progression and the nature of these applications. In providing features, MMORPGs often include third-party add-ons, support for numerous file formats, and allow various methods for interaction between players. Game developers and players must learn to minimize the risks that these technologies introduce to protect themselves from the next generation of online attacks. The authors categorize several problem areas for MMORPGs in which vulnerabilities are likely to exist and illustrate through two case studies how attackers can leverage various features of online games to take over players' computers. |
