Epic Games is one of the most influential companies in the world of video games, thanks to its graphics engine Unreal Engine, its successful game Fortnite and its digital store Epic Games Store. However, this popularity also makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals, who seek to make a profit at the expense of your information.
Ransomware attack puts Epic Games in check
The attackers have threatened to sell this data to the highest bidder if Epic Games does not pay a ransom before March 4, 2024. This is a practice known as ransomware, which consists of encrypting or blocking access to the victim's data and ask for a ransom to free them. Mogilevich is a relatively new ransomware gang that has only recently started operating. Their first target was Infiniti USA, the subsidiary of Nissan, which they hacked a week ago. Since then, they have attacked three other companies, Epic Games being the latest of them.
Epic Games has confirmed the hack and the truth is that it is not the first time it has suffered a computer attack, since in 2016 its forum was hacked and 800,000 user passwords were stolen. Nor is it the only video game company that has fallen victim to hackers. At the end of 2023, Insomniac Games was attacked and leaked the data of their next game, Marvel's Wolverine, which could be played before its official release.
What consequences could the hack have for Epic Games?
You could face serious consequences, both legal and financial. On the one hand, you could be sued by your customers and partners for not adequately protecting your personal and financial data. On the other hand, you could lose your competitive advantage if your source code falls into the hands of competitors or hackers who use it to create copies or modify your games.
In addition, the hack could damage the reputation of Epic Games and affect the trust of users, who could stop using its services or buy its products. This could mean a loss of revenue and market share for the company.