Fortnite maker Epic Games buys gaming firm Kamu to banish cheaters and scammers

The developer of the wildly popular video game Fortnite has acquired Finnish security firm Kamu in an effort to better protect players.

Helsinki-based Kamu offers an "easy anti-cheat" service that is currently used by more than 100 million PC gamers around the world, including Fortnite players.

“Kamu’s team and tools have been key to building a vibrant Fortnite multiplayer experience that’s fair for all players,” said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.

"Building and launching games today is incredibly challenging, and only half the battle. Kamu’s tools for managing live games help developers grow and sustain their games successfully after launch. At Epic, we succeed when developers succeed.”

Fortnite has amassed more than 125 million players since launching last year, making it an attractive target for cyber criminals.

Security researchers have uncovered incidents where hackers have spread a computer virus among tens of thousands of Fortntie players by exploiting their interest in acquiring free units of the in-game currency.

Other criminals have set up fake Android apps in order to infect the devices of Fortnite players with malware.

“Joining the Epic family is not only a childhood dream come true, but a huge boost for our mission to help developers create beautiful gaming experiences," said Kamu CEO Simon Allaeys.

"Battling cheating in games was just the start; today our products also help developers stay competitive by identifying player needs as quickly as they emerge.”