A new report has claimed Gen Z anime fans are being targeted in the latest wave of cyber attacks with fraudsters disguising dangerous malware as top anime shows
A report has claimed that Gen Z are the latest victims of widescale cyber attacks, as hackers are disguising viruses as anime shows and streaming platforms. According to research from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, the dangerous malware reportedly takes advantage of the rising popularity of Japanese animated shows, with the most clicked-on viruses being disguised as fan-favourite show, Naruto.
Other popular anime that have been mimicked by hackers include One Piece – which was recently adapted to a Netflix live-action show – and Demon Slayer. Two-thirds of the generation are thought to regularly watch Japanese anime, with the audience becoming more invested in the shows and their characters than ever before to a point where they are “emotionally invested” in the plot.
And that dedication is now what is being exploited. The criminal’s formula is simple, usually promising some form of exclusive unreleased episodes, leaked scenes, or premium access to extra show content.
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Once unsuspecting fans click on the links and download what they think will be a video, instead of downloading often-vicious malware which can steal sensitive information and even take control of your device.
Kaspersky researchers, who found more than 250,000 phishing attacks in just 2024 alone, added: “Streaming is more than a pastime, it’s a way of life. [it] provides a connection to the characters, worlds and fandoms that define their identity.”
Anime was one of the most exploited genres with 114,000 Naruto-themed scams, 44,000 were based on Demon Slayer with Attack on Titan, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen the third, fourth, and fifth most targeted.
But it’s not just anime fans who are being targeted, links to fake Netflix and Amazon Prime pages, and blockbuster titles such as Stranger Things, Twilight and Deadpool and Wolverine were also found to be copied to infect computers with malware. The Mirror has reached out to Amazon Prime for comment.
When asked about the issues by The Mirror, Netflix said: “We take information security seriously and take a number of measures designed to protect user accounts against unauthorised access.”
Kaspersky added a warning for the viruses that are downloaded: “Once activated, they can steal sensitive data, install additional malware or give attackers remote control over a device.
“For instance, Trojan-PSWs (Password Stealing Ware) are specifically designed to harvest login credentials, such as passwords and usernames. When disguised as streaming platform files, they can jeopardise users’ accounts, compromising not only personal information but also payment details linked to these platforms.”
How to dodge streaming service cyber scams
Cybersecurity experts have issued three points of guidance. The first advises people to always use legitimate, paid subscription services and stick to the official websites. Second, always verify the authenticity of websites before entering any personal information.
Finally, be cautious about the file extensions you’re downloading. Video files should not have .exe or .msi extensions. But essentially if the offering seems too good to be true, it probably is.
A spokesperson for Netflix also suggested a range of guidance including how to set a strong password, how to keep your information safe and more available on their help centre.