The FBI is investigating malware hidden inside games hosted on Steam

March 13, 2026 - 20:41

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is actively investigating a concerning campaign where malicious software was concealed within seemingly legitimate video games on the Steam platform. According to a recent industry alert, the agency believes a single, unidentified hacker is responsible for embedding malware into a series of games published over the past two years.

The sophisticated scheme involved the threat actor first compromising the accounts of legitimate game developers. Using these stolen credentials, the individual then published new games or updated existing ones with malicious code. This malware, once installed by unsuspecting users, functioned as a sophisticated information stealer. It was designed to harvest sensitive data from victims' computers, including saved passwords, browser cookies, and files from the desktop.

Security researchers who aided the investigation noted the malware specifically targeted authentication details, which could grant the attacker access to a user’s other online accounts and digital assets. The FBI's warning highlights the ongoing threat posed by software supply chain attacks, even on major, trusted distribution platforms. Gamers are urged to practice caution, maintain updated security software, and be wary of games from developers with limited histories or sudden, unexplained updates. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify the individual behind the campaign.