Anime fans may be under serious threat. A new report by Kaspersky has found out over 2,50,000 potential cyber attacks disguised as popular anime on streaming platforms. These shows, which are hugely popular among younger audiences, have a massive fan base. In order to spread awareness about the cyber risks of streaming content online, the popular anti-virus provider has launched Case 404, an interactive cybersecurity game.
Streaming has become a way of life for most members of Generation Z as it instantly helps in forging a connection with characters, worlds, fandoms which go on to define their identity. According to a CBR report, over 65 per cent of Gen Z watch anime regularly.
For the latest study, experts and Kaspersky’s selected five anime titles that are popular among Gen Z – Demon Slayer, Attack On Titan, Naruto, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, etc. The experts found 2,51, 931 attempts to deliver malware or unwanted files disguised under names of these anime titles. According to the report, cybercriminals were tapping into the trust Gen Z has for these series. They often use bait like ‘exclusive episode’, ‘leaked scenes’, or ‘premium access.’
When it comes to titles, Naruto had the most with 1,14, 216 attempted attacks. Demon Slayer followed with 44,200 attack attempts, and at the third spot is Attack on Titan with 39, 433 detected attempts to distribute malicious content.
Apart from anime, Kaspersky also analysed five films and series that continue to resonate with Gen Z: Shrek, Stranger Things, Twilight, Inside Out 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. These shows accounted for 43,302 attack attempts with a pronounced spike in attention to these titles from cybercriminals at the beginning of 2025. All of these are primarily related to the rise of attack on Shrek with over 36,000 attempts in all and a steep rise in March 2025.
While OTT platforms have reshaped the anime watching experience, this has also created a fertile ground for cybercriminals. Kaspersky detected 96,288 attempts to distribute malicious or unwanted files disguised as the names of these major streaming platforms.
According to the report, among streaming services, Netflix stood out with 85,679 attack attempts related to over 2.8 million phishing pages imitating its branding. Cybercriminals take advantage of the constant traffic, frequent subscription-based activity, and global reach. Experts said that scammers mimicked login pages, shared free trial links or spoof password reset emails.
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Kaspersky’s game, Case 404, invites players to become cyber-detectives and solve immersive cybercrime cases. With this game, Kaspersky aims to empower Gen Z to develop their mindset and skillset to stay safe in an increasingly vulnerable online world.
“As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, so do the tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit popular content, whether through fake downloads or fraudulent merchandise offers. From beloved anime like Naruto and Demon Slayer to the latest blockbusters like Inside Out 2, scammers have found new ways to take advantage of Gen Z’s affinity for digital culture and streaming platforms. With the rise of these cyberthreats, it’s more important than ever for young users to stay vigilant and understand how to protect themselves online,” said Vasily Kolesnikov, security expert at Kaspersky.
To safeguard one online while streaming content, Kaspersky recommends the following steps:
📌Use a legitimate, paid subscription when accessing streaming services and ensure you’re using apps from official marketplaces or the official websites.
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📌Verify the authenticity of websites before entering any personal information.
📌Stick to trusted, official pages when watching or downloading content and double-check URLs and company name spellings to avoid phishing sites.
📌Be cautious about the file extensions you’re downloading. Video files should not have .exe or .msi extensions, these are usually associated with harmful programs.
📌Use a reliable security solution to detect malicious attachments that could compromise your data
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📌Ensure secure browsing and safe messaging with reliable VPN, protecting your IP address and preventing data leaks.