Cybersecurity Threats Targeting Children in 2024

Nowadays, most children have access to the internet or own smartphones and tablets, so parents must always stay updated on the latest cyber security threats targeting children, to protect them from potential risks.

Need to protect children in the online environment

According to the latest online statistics, 91% of children aged 3-15 play games on some specific device. For some games, voice chat and uncensored messaging are a key part of the experience. With more and more young people participating in online activities, cybercriminals tend to befriend young players, giving them valuable gifts or making promises to build trust with their victims. Once trust is gained, cybercriminals steal personal information by asking victims to click on a phishing link to download a malicious file to their device disguised as a game mod.

Despite the growing number of smart home device threats, manufacturers have yet to create cyber-immune technology to prevent potential exploits. This means that children can become tools for criminals in a cyberattack. When a smart device becomes a fully functional surveillance tool and a child is home alone, cybercriminals can contact them through the device and request sensitive information such as their name, address, and the time their parents are away, or even their credit cards.

Kaspersky experts recommend the following ways to protect children: Always stay updated on the latest threats and actively monitor children's online activities, so that parents can create a safer online environment for their children; Parents must openly discuss with their children the potential risks they may encounter online and provide strict guidance to ensure their safety; To help parents familiarize their children with cybersecurity amid the growing threat landscape, Kaspersky experts have developed the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Alphabet with key concepts of the cybersecurity industry; To protect children from downloading any malicious files while playing games, Kaspersky recommends installing a reliable security solution on their devices; With the right tools such as the Kaspersky Safe Kids application, parents can effectively protect their children from cyber threats in the digital age….

“As we can see, many trends that are taking place in society are also affecting children, making them potential targets for attackers. This includes the development and popularity of AI and smart homes, as well as the expansion of the gaming world and the FinTech industry. Therefore, it is important to teach children the basics of cybersecurity from an early age so that they do not fall into the traps of cybercriminals, the possible cyber threats that can occur when playing games, and how to properly protect their personal data,” said Andrey Sidenko, security and privacy expert at Kaspersky.

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