eSports
The role of cybersecurity in eSports
As the online gaming and esports industry has become valued at over $100 billion, it also has become a prime target for cyber threats. The majority of PC games are delivered through digital platforms, such as Steam, and users ultimately store their credentials in these platforms (including bank information). Thus, digital platforms like Steam, EA Origin, Blizzard’s Battle.net, and a handful of other digital game clients are ripe for malicious attacks. Steam alone has over 125 million users. Also at risk are game-specific clients, such as Garena’s League of Legends.
With so many gamers not thinking twice about storing payment account information in platforms like Steam, it’s absolutely certain that hackers will continue to target these digital gaming clients. And because e-sport conventions attract massive crowds, all connecting to public WiFi, these events are prime targets for malicious attacks.
To combat this threat, client developers should make security a top priority. Digital platforms need to undergo rigorous pen-testing, from the best IT security consultants available. Gamers also need to make sure their clients are always up to date, and to be extremely wary of what actions they perform while connected to public WiFi networks, such as at esport conventions. Connecting to a VPN would also add a layer of security – you can choose a good VPN from this list.
This isn’t a hypothetical scenario – hackers can and have breached these game platforms, stealing large amounts of customer data. In fact, the developers of Kaspersky Antivirus raised serious concerns over the discovery of malware known as the ‘Steam Stealer’ in 2016.
The ‘Steam Stealer’ reportedly steals the account credentials of 77,000 Steam members each month and, with 1,200 types of malware in activity, Kaspersky’s researchers, Santiago Pontiroli and Bart P, claim these data breaches have “turned the threat landscape for the entertainment ecosystem into a devil’s playground”.
Later in 2017, hackers managed to get into the database of ESEA (E-Sports Entertainment Association League), threatening to release the details of over 1.5 million user accounts, to the ransom of $100,000. ESEA is one of the leading matchmaking services in online gaming, and offers professional tournaments with cash-based prizes for popular games like CounterStrike: Global Offensive, and Team Fortress 2.
ESEA advised players to secure their accounts, while working to patch the vulnerability. The hackers later also breached the ESEA game server infrastructure, changing ever player’s karma rating to a score of “-1337”.
Then in late 2018, a critical bug was uncovered in EA’s Origin client, by an independent security researcher. The bug allows a malicious entity to scrape account data. The independent researcher, online handle Beard, explained the bug:
“The bug occurs when you use the EA Origin client but request to edit your account on EA.com […] The EA Origin client will spit out an auto-login URL, in which the token is basically the equivalent of your active username and password.”
Auto-login URLs are fairly common, and are typically based on a user’s cookie files stored on their device. However, this was not the case with the EA Origin auto-login URL, which allowed using the URL without any prior authentication. An attacker could then guess a user’s security question, hijack the account entirely, and use any kind of stored payment method associated with the account.
The scariest thing about the bug was how these auto-login URLs could easily be harvested from unsecured WiFi networks. If an attacker were to hit an esport convention where a large number of users were connecting to a public WiFi, and then logging into EA Origin accounts, the damage could have been massive.
Fortunately, the independent researcher quickly notified EA of the bug, and a patch was quickly released. It is, however, just one example alongside others we’ve shown, of how tiny security flaws can put millions at risk.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
eSports
Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference
Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience. As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.
Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.
Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .
“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.”
Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated: “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”
He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”
eSports
WEC24 Complete: Indonesia Crowned Overall Champion!
WEC24 Complete: Indonesia Crowned Overall Champion! Busan, South Korea (November 20, 2024) – After nine days of exciting competition, the 16th World Esports Championship (WEC24) has come to a conclusion.
From epic plays to unforgettable moments, the championship closed out with the Dota 2 and MLBB Women’s finals. The ultimate victory and the biggest moment of the night belonged to Indonesia, as they won their second title as the WEC24 Overall Champions.
This prestigious trophy is awarded to the nation that excels across all of the game titles. Turkey secured one gold and one bronze medal also, however, Indonesia’s consistency and performance across the other game titles gave them the edge to secure their victory. Congratulations to Indonesia for this remarkable achievement!
WEC24 started on November 11 at the spectacular SEF Arena in Riyadh, bringing together athletes from around the world to compete across six tournaments: PUBG MOBILE, CS2 (Women’s and Open), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Open and Women’s), and Dota 2. Each competition delivered its special charm, giving us new champions and a WEC to remember.
Medalists:
PUBG MOBILE:
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Brazil
CS2 Women’s:
- Poland
- France
- Portugal
CS2 Open:
- Romania
- Portugal
- Serbia
MLBB Open:
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Indonesia
MLBB Women’s:
- Indonesia
- Cambodia
- Egypt
Dota 2:
- Greece
- Sweden
- Turkey
This year’s WEC broke records and set new milestones: the largest CS2 Women’s tournament with a $160,000 prize pool, the debut of the MLBB Women’s category, and a marathon Dota 2 bronze match that won’t be forgotten. Over 480 athletes gave it their all, leaving behind moments that will define the Esports scene for years.
As WEC24 comes to an end, we are thankful to every athlete, national federation, fan, and Esports enthusiast who traveled with us on the Road to Riyadh.
GG once again to Indonesia, our WEC24 Overall Champion! Thank you, Riyadh, for hosting an unforgettable championship. Until next time, see you on the next World Esports Championship journey!
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