Many individuals in the gaming community consider Discord to be one of the most convenient platforms for chatting and exchanging personal messages. However, there have recently been rumors that Discord has also gained popularity among cybercriminals.
Many users are now questioning whether Discord is safe from hackers. In today’s article, we will attempt to address this issue as thoroughly as possible.
Table of Contents
Why Are Hackers Turning to Discord?
When Discord launched in 2015, it only offered text and audio communication; there were no video calling or screen sharing features. Subsequently, Discord introduced both of these features, along with integrations for Twitch (the leading streaming service for video games), Xbox Live, and Spotify.
By 2019, Discord had surpassed 250 million registered users and generated estimated revenues of $120 million, according to the Business of Apps Discord Revenue and Usage Statistics (2020) report. With such a large user base, the app finally attracted the attention of hackers, who viewed Discord as an ideal environment for stealing personal information. Before long, it became their new haven.
As a Discord user, you have likely experienced interruptions during your gaming sessions due to trolls, cheating players, or even Discord crashing on several occasions. Additionally, there was a false report claiming that Discord would shut down on November 7th, 2022, which led to notifications being sent to all Discord users. This was most likely the result of a hacker’s Discord malware.
You may have received direct messages containing unfamiliar links, malicious links, or suspicious files. If you have observed such suspicious activity and malicious content being sent to you, it is important to recognize that these are potential scams and malware threats aimed at stealing personal information from your computer. They will do their utmost to entice you into downloading unfamiliar files.
Detecting Discord Malware
Even Sophos Senior Threat Researcher Sean Gallagher acknowledges that fraudsters have discovered Discord to be an attractive tool. This is due to the company’s extensive infrastructure and large consumer base.
Due to the persistent and highly accessible nature of Discord’s chat system, malware operators can effortlessly transform it into a command-and-control channel for their malware, as Gallagher noted. He stated that Discord has a vast number of users who are constantly online, creating a “perfect setting” for social engineering.
How Does Discord Malware Work?
It is widely believed that hackers use malware to help gamers cheat in games like “Roblox” and “Fortnite,” which attract a younger demographic that is more vulnerable to infection.
Streaming Netflix on Discord or using other third-party apps to enhance gameplay are among the most commonly utilized tools. Hackers have been known to deceive individuals into playing a beta version of a new game while it is still under development, although such occurrences are not uncommon.
Sophos has identified old ransomware from the early 2000s that continues to spread as mischiefware, according to the company’s research. This year, authorities are intensifying their efforts against ransomware activities due to the potential infractions they present.
With this malware, they can eliminate all access to the victim’s files and system, leaving no possibility for recovery.
As Gallagher noted, Discord users — regardless of their identity or activities — should be vigilant about harmful information and not depend solely on the Discord platform to identify and eliminate suspicious files.
The good news is that, as of this writing, all remaining 5,000 malware URLs have been deleted. However, it is only a matter of time before more malware is discovered and additional reports surface.
How To Prevent Your Discord Account From Being Hacked
Never open attachments or downloads from unknown sources. Hackers often attempt to make their links seem official. Be vigilant for anything unusual, such as strange domain names, URLs, or misspelled words. Do not click the link unless you are absolutely certain it is safe.
Hackers use cheerful messages to lure potential victims into clicking on dangerous links in phishing scams. To achieve this, they conceal their malware by presenting it as an offer.
If an offer seems too good to be true, don’t trust it.
Even if you take every precaution, there’s still a possibility that your account may be compromised. Don’t panic if this happens. To recover your account or at least minimize the impact of a hack, follow the advice provided above.
