Malware sneaks onto Steam, for the third time this year

In the latest incident, malware has been discovered in the Steam game "Chemia" for the third time this year. Security researchers at Prodaft found two malware packages, HijackLoader and Fickle Stealer, embedded in the game's download files. The game, which has been on Steam for 15 months, is still available through the Playtest feature, but the number of actual infections is likely low. This is not the first time malware has been found in games on the Steam platform. Similar incidents occurred in February and March of 2025, where games with stolen assets were used to spread malware. While the developer of Chemia, Aether Forge Studios, appears to be a legitimate studio, it's possible that their access to Steam was compromised, leading to the malware injection. The recurring issue of malware on Steam is concerning for users who trust the platform for safe downloads. Valve, the company behind Steam, has been focusing on other priorities, such as banning porn games and not updating the Steam Deck design, which raises questions about their ability to address this security problem effectively.