How To Get Rid of Minecraft Malware and Stay Safe While Playing Minecraft

If you’re a part of the Minecraft community, you may have heard about the new Fractureiser malware. It’s a program that hides inside different Minecraft modifications and plugins. Popular platforms have been affected by this insidious program, so many gamers and security experts are alarmed. 

Keep reading to learn how this malware got into the modpacks and what you can do to stay safe online while playing Minecraft, including which of the best antivirus programs to use for protection against malware.

Minecraft malware explained

Even when you think you’re being cautious, hackers have intricate ways of loading malware into items that appear innocent. This means that, yes, you can get malware even while downloading Minecraft mods. Minecraft itself is safe — so long as you download it legally from Mojang’s official website. But you should be cautious while downloading independent mods and data packs.

The Fractureiser virus is a Minecraft malware that recently impacted the community. It spread through popular hosting sites like CurseForge and the dev.bukkit.org hub. CurseForge states that the hacker uploaded infected files to the platform through several accounts.

CurseForge reported that the infected files have been cleaned, but that was after approximately 6,500 Minecraft players were affected by the malware. Though CurseForge launcher is generally considered safe, you should always use your best judgment anytime you download files online.

Another way players get malware is by downloading games from torrent sites. Torrenting uses a BitTorrent network to download files. We advise using torrenting sites with extreme caution, if you use them at all. Third-party websites don’t typically require strict security standards, so you may use them at your peril.

Risks of Minecraft malware

There are still some unknowns surrounding the Fractureiser virus, but we know Minecraft malware can wreak all sorts of havoc for players. For one, the malware can propagate itself to all JAR files on the system, which will spread to other Java programs and mods that weren’t originally affected. Another risk is that the malware can inject fake cryptocurrency addresses into the clipboard. Some users have genuine cryptocurrency wallets stored in their system clipboard, and these may be replaced with ones that are not real.

If these aren’t enough to concern you, these viruses can steal cookies and credentials from your various web browsers. From there, the hackers can use your information on Discord, Minecraft, and Microsoft, forcing you to attempt account recovery processes. If you think that means resetting a few passwords, unfortunately that may just be the start. These hackers can trace the cookie trail and use your passwords to get information about you or worse, use these accounts for financial gain.

Using mods is popular among the Minecraft community because it gives players an array of game enhancements. Minecraft does not support modpacks, so users get them from independent developers. Downloading from a third-party site can leave users vulnerable to infected files.

How to know if you have a Minecraft virus

You might not know your device has the Fractureiser virus unless you go looking for it. An infected mod sometimes hides in your ‘local app data’ folder. You can find this under your folder options in Windows, then enable the “Show hidden files” option. You can check the CurseForge website for a list of infected projects to know the currently infected downloads. It has information on specific mods that were compromised and tools to help you scan for viruses. Or you can skip the manual labor and use this script from Prism Launcher.

Of course, we also recommend using an antivirus to scan for any malware that may be present. Currently, the malware does not seem to affect MacOS but has hit Linux and Windows pretty hard.

How to remove Minecraft malware

If you have Minecraft malware, you should first run a full scan with your antivirus software. In case you have a dormant mod or file that is infected, you can use the Jar Malware Scanning tool from the CurseForge website. You should run this tool even if your antivirus didn’t detect any malware. If you get a message that malware was found, delete it immediately.

Always keep your antivirus updated so it can catch the latest malware. Since the Fracturesier virus is relatively new, outdated antivirus software may not find it.

Best Minecraft antivirus

Since Minecraft is very popular among gaming enthusiasts, you want a way to enjoy it without worrying about constant malware issues. You’re in luck because we have some of the best antivirus software you can use when playing. Here are our best Minecraft antivirus recommendations:

• Norton 360: Norton 360 is a full security suite. It includes a secure VPN and a firewall to make your gaming safer. 
  
  Get Norton 360 | Read Our Norton 360 Review
• Bitdefender: Bitdefender is useful for Minecraft because it gives you continuous monitoring, even for zero-day exploits.
  
  Get Bitdefender | Read Our Bitdefender Review
• McAfee: McAfee includes a firewall and a VPN for gaming protection. You also get web security and a protection score that checks the health of your online security.
  
  Get McAfee | Read Our McAfee Review

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Tips to avoid Minecraft viruses

Although it’s a bummer that these viruses are easily spread, there are ways to avoid them. Some of these are simple but not always easy for avid players.

• Avoid mods. As much as Minecraft aficionados don’t want to do it, one of the best ways to avoid viruses is to play Minecraft’s plain vanilla version. That means not using any third-party downloads or mods on your device.
• Download from the creator’s site. If there is a well-known mod, the creator may have an official website, so if you’re going to use a mod, download from there.
• Use good antivirus software and run frequent scans to check for malware. If malware is found, delete it.
• Keep your antivirus software updated so it will find and delete the most current malware threats.
• Update your operating system as new security updates are released. These patches and updates can protect your device from newer threats.

Minecraft malware FAQ

Bottom line

When playing Minecraft, it’s important to remember that you can play the vanilla version without fear. The danger happens when downloading compromised mods that could spread malware throughout your device. If you want to play Minecraft and use third-party mods, you should always check them first with a trusted antivirus program. If your antivirus finds malware, be sure you delete it immediately and change all your online passwords for the best security.

Since game modifications are developed by Minecraft enthusiasts and then hosted on independent platforms, they don’t undergo strict security standards. Therefore, these individuals cannot guarantee the safety of their mods. For now, it’s best to avoid all Minecraft mods until there’s a complete resolution for the current situation and ensure you have a good antivirus app installed and updated.

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Author Details

Patti Croft

About the Author

Patti Croft is a seasoned writer specializing in technology, with three years of experience. With a B.S. in Computer Science and a background as a technical analyst and security specialist, she covers a range of topics like data security and parental control software.