No matter what games you are playing online, it is essential to follow security best practices. Research has shown that cybercriminals are targeting online gamers at unprecedented levels in 2021, without more than 1 million accounts being compromised in the past twelve months.
Straightforward Security Tips for Gamers
Gamers of all stripes are being targeted for their personal and financial information, with unscrupulous criminals stealing millions of dollars.
Although cybercrime in the gaming world is on the rise, there is no need to panic. All you need to do is follow these tried and tested gamer security tricks to protect yourself and your sensitive information when playing games online.
Up-to-Date Antivirus
This is probably the most important thing you can do. Even if you think you are downloading a game from a trusted and secure source, it is possible that the game files could contain malware. In fact, this is one of the most common tricks used by cyber thieves. Don’t fall victim to this.
Install robust antivirus software on your computer, make sure it is scanning all of your files prior to download, and always install updates as and when they arise.
2FA
On your gaming accounts, the main (and often only) line of defense is your username and password combo. This means that you should be taking every possible step to ensure that your username and password are secure.
One of the most effective things you can do is opt for two-factor authentication (2FA). This verification process adds another layer of security to your account and makes it substantially less likely that a thief will be able to access it.
Secure Payment Solutions
If you are playing online games of any kind, you will likely need to provide sensitive financial information in order to successfully make a payment. The last thing you want is for hackers to get their hands on this information, which is why you should always use well-known and secure payment platforms.
This is especially true if you are playing online casino games, where you need to choose a payment method in order to make deposits and withdraw winnings.
Always choose an online casino that uses well-known third-party payment platforms such as Visa or PaySafeCard. This will keep you safe when playing casino games online.
Don’t Talk to Strangers
This one might seem obvious, but it really does bear repeating. Social gaming is fun, but it is often best to keep your chats private and to only enable speaker conversations with your friends that you know in real life.
Many cybercriminals will pose as friendly gamers and attempt to learn personal information about you that they can later use to hack your account. They might promise to send over some hot new mods, if only you will send them your account details.
Always keep yourself as private as possible when playing online. Consider using voice masking software if you are playing any kind of online social game.
By following these simple and straightforward gaming security tips, you can keep yourself safe, no matter what you are playing.