Online gaming is a big part of modern culture. According to Statista, global online gaming revenues in 2022 will surpass 23.56 billion, which shows how true this statement is. On top of this, gaming is no longer a male-dominated industry, as the number of female gamers over recent years has skyrocketed, too.
The message is clear: more people are playing video games online than ever before. As great as this is, it does mean that there are more security risks involved. So, whether you’re an experienced gamer or are just getting started, here are some cybersecurity tips that you need to know for gaming online.
Tip 1: Only Play Officially Licensed Games
When you play on PC or mobile, there are two types of online games:
- Officially licensed
- Not licensed
Officially licensed games have been checked and authorized by a relevant authority. For example, online casinos, such as cafecasino.lv , are licensed and regulated, which gives players peace of mind that their accounts and money are in safe hands. No matter which online game or platform you decide to use, they need to fall under this category, too. If a website is shady and appears to have no official licensing, then avoid it. This way, you can keep yourself protected.
Tip 2: Create Stronger Passwords
Many online gamers make the mistake of choosing weak, easy-to-guess passwords: don’t fall into this trap. When you create an account for any online game or service, always choose a strong password with a combination of:
- Letters
- Numbers
- Special symbols
Also, make sure your password does not refer to you or your details, such as the city you’re from. Make it completely random, so it’s almost impossible to guess.
To make your life easier, you can even use a password manager to store and control your passwords. Moving into the future, you won’t have to worry about accidentally forgetting or mixing up your passwords, which is nice to know.
Tip 3: Only Add People You Know
Sometimes, you’ll receive random friend requests from other players and suspicious accounts. This is especially common on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, such as the PlayStation 5. When you receive requests from people you don’t know, make sure to delete them for the sake of your safety and privacy. Often, these requests are disguised as genuine but are incredibly dangerous, as there could be a scammer behind the account looking to deceive you and get into your account. If you also receive any suspicious messages that contain external links, make sure to delete the messages and report them to the platform you’re using.
Tip 4: Be Careful with Microtransactions
Often, game consoles and handhelds will encourage you to make microtransactions in-game. Usually, microtransactions revolve around bonus content, such as new weapons in a first-person shooter game. On the surface, microtransactions appear to be low-cost. However, microtransaction bills can quickly skyrocket over time if you don’t track them properly. Before you know it, you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on in-game DLC – which you don’t want to happen. Therefore, you should track your microtransaction spending and set yourself a monthly spending limit that you can’t go over.
Tip 5: Install Antivirus Software on Your Device
Whether you play games on a PC, mobile, or tablet, you should install antivirus software on your device. This is an excellent security blanket to have, as the best antivirus software can detect malicious websites, pop-ups, and other dangerous factors. Without antivirus installed, you leave yourself open to potential viruses and malware. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Tip 6: Turn on Two-Factor Authentication When It’s an Option
Two-factor authentication is one of the best security measures out there for gamers.
In a nutshell, two-factor authentication is when you receive an email or text message when you try to log into your account. Until you click the link in the message you receive, you won’t be able to officially log in. This is great, as any hacker who successfully retrieves your password still won’t be able to get into your account because they don’t have access to your phone or email account.
Summary: Be Smart. Be Safe.
Over the coming years, you’re probably going to spend a lot of time playing online games. You’re guaranteed to have a ton of fun, but make sure you follow the cybersecurity tips discussed above to keep yourself nice and safe. These tips aren’t difficult to follow and are very beginner-friendly. After implementation, your online gaming accounts and information will be much more secure.
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