**Activision Takes Down Call of Duty Game Due to Hackers' Exploitation**

Games giant Activision has taken down the PC version of its popular first-person shooter game, Call of Duty: WWII, due to hackers exploiting a flaw in a specific PC version of the game. The company announced that it had brought offline the Microsoft Store version of the game last week, citing "reports of an issue" without specifying what the issue was.

However, according to a source with knowledge of Activision's response, the company took down the game due to hackers using a remote code execution (RCE) exploit to hack into players' computers. The exploit allows hackers to plant malware that can essentially take control of a victim's device.

The game for the Microsoft Store and Game Pass remains down at the time of publication, per Activision's status page. Several video game news outlets reported on the story and noted that several players complained on social media that they had been hacked while playing the game.

One player even tweeted about their experience, saying "I JUST GOT HACKED PLAYING WW2! EVERYONE DO NOT PLAY WW2 ON GAMEPASS!" The tweet sparked a warning from other players to avoid playing the game until the issue is patched.

The game publisher took down only the Microsoft Store and Game Pass version of Call of Duty: WWII because they were different versions of the game than listed on Steam and contained an old flaw that had been patched on other versions of the game, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of hacking in the gaming industry. In recent years, Activision has faced several hacking incidents, including a hacker finding a flaw in Call of Duty's anti-cheat system that allowed them to ban thousands of legitimate gamers.

In 2023, hackers used a self-spreading malware — a computer worm — to hack Call of Duty: Modern Warfare players, thanks to an unpatched years-old bug in the game. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for game developers to prioritize player safety.

Activision has gone through several rounds of layoffs in the last few years, some of which have directly affected its cybersecurity teams. However, in recent times, some video game companies have beefed up their cybersecurity teams, as well as their anti-cheat teams.

The incident is a wake-up call for players to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from hacking attempts. If you play the game on PC, make sure to keep your operating system and software up-to-date, use strong passwords, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files.

Stay safe online, and stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

**What You Can Do to Protect Yourself**

If you play Call of Duty: WWII on PC, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from hacking attempts:

* Keep your operating system and software up-to-date * Use strong passwords and consider enabling two-factor authentication * Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files * Monitor your computer's activity for any signs of hacking * Consider using a reputable antivirus program

By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to hacking attempts and stay safe online.