Super Mario Run Is Not Only Hit For Avid Gamers; But Also For Hackers and Scammers
Ralphy Bonn SimThe classic game Super Mario Run; which came to iOS devices, last week, has been downloaded a record breaking 40 million times in just four days, as its developer Nintendo proudly claimed.
Super Mario Run is a side-scrolling, auto-running video game that was developed and published by Nintendo for iOS and Android devices. It was released on iOS on Dec. 15, 2016, and will be releasing for Android this coming 2017. The game portrays one of Nintendo's first games developed for the mobile gaming, and the first such game using its own franchises, the Mario series, on non-Nintendo hardware.
The Super Mario Run ranked No. 1 for free downloads in 75 countries; it was No. 1 in revenue in only 23 countries. In Nintendo's home country of Japan, the mobile app had conflict to stay in the top five, claimed by Sensor Tower, an app intelligence firm.
Mobile gaming is big business which generates an estimated $37 billion this year globally, according to market research firm Newzoo. At $9.99, Super Mario Run is one of the more expensive offerings in the app store.
There are more than 341 malicious accounts promising free connection to "Super Mario Run."
"No one wish to buy for anything ever if they can run away with it and, there's always a pop culture phenomenon, you will discover scammers who has interests all over it," said Evan Blair, the co-founder and chief business officer at ZeroFOX, a threat intelligence firm.
One of the most popular ways is through social media. Scammers have created accounts that appear legitimate and boast thousands of followers. They will offer a free download or free coins, which are the game's currency. People are then favored to click a questionable links that brings them to phishing pages, where they'll be prompted to enter personal information.
Another scam involves hijacking popular Super Mario Run hashtags (#) to push another scam, such as the promise of watching the new "Star Wars" movie for free.
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