Cyber Security Guide for Gamers
Today, online games are among the activities that connect millions of users to the internet. While the digital game industry is developing at an extraordinary pace, the gamer base continues to increase day by day. So much so that there is no age limit for playing games in this virtual universe that has entered our lives with the internet. According to the 2022 India Special Report published by We Are Social Platform at the beginning of this year, 91.5% of internet users in our country spend time on video games. But this also brings with it some cybersecurity problems. Whether you are a professional or a beginner gamer, it may be possible to have your personal and credit card information stolen unless you take precautions against threats in games.
So how can you spot these traps in games? What can you do to protect yourself from fraud? Let's take a look at the answers to these questions together for the most effective cyber security steps to be taken without disrupting your gaming enjoyment.
Fraud methods in games
Phishing Attack: This type of fraud, also known as phishing attacks, is very popular among hackers. In this method, scammers often create a fake version of their online gaming site and send a link to this page to players via in-game messaging platforms or email.
While creating the site, they aim to deceive players by imitating the logo and messaging expressions of the original brand.
There is a high probability of encountering spelling errors on such sites.
From time to time, you may also encounter a limited-time discount link on the screen that forces you to click on it.
The purpose of all this effort is to access your passwords and credit card information. They try to access your information by requesting that you verify your account through the fake site. In order to distinguish these sites that endanger your cyber security, we recommend that you confirm the accuracy of the domain name.
Malware and viruses: It is possible to find illegal versions of online games on the Internet. However, when you download these versions, which may be more affordable or free, you also run the risk of downloading many malicious software and viruses. In addition, when you download the legitimate application of the game, there is a low chance of encountering malware. As a common social engineering attack, scammers can install malware in the executable files of the game you download. You can detect such malware by checking the extensions of the files. You may also choose to stay away from non-professional gaming platforms.
Cheat codes: Codes are often created by game developers or third-party vendors to gain an advantage over competitors. These codes, which involve subverting some of the rules of the game, can be bought and sold for money. However, when downloading such applications, we recommend that you take into consideration the possibility of downloading much malicious software.
Listening to conversations: Cybercriminals may try to obtain information about you by listening to conversations during the game. You should be very careful not to leave your microphone on and not to give out your personal information during the game. Otherwise, cyber attackers who have access to your identity or account information may send some phishing links to your e-mail, threaten to share your information, and ask for money.
What precautions should be taken to protect against fraudsters?
Enable your router's firewall. There is a lot of malware on the internet that tries to take control of your computer and even your network. Your firewall acts as a shield against these harmful applications. After logging into your router's management panel, you can turn on your firewall from the "Security" section.
Download updates for the gaming platform from its source and without delay. Always having the latest version provides you with great protection from malicious software.
Stay away from cheating applications such as crack software and code generation programs. Such applications inherently offer a very attractive environment for malware. Moreover, they want you to disable many security software during installation. By using these applications, you can put your e-mail, password, and even credit card information at risk.
Download the original firmware of the game instead of downloading fake versions. Such versions often contain malware and pose cybersecurity risks.
Make sure that update notifications for games are official. Do not download any update request without verifying it.
Control what information other players can see during the game. Apart from the player name you use to identify yourself, do not share your personal information here, such as your official name and surname, e-mail address, and location. Be careful not to provide this information while your microphone is on.
Control what information other players can see during the game. Apart from the player name you use to identify yourself, do not share your personal information here, such as your official name and surname, e-mail address, and location. Be careful not to provide this information while your microphone is on.
Make sure that the password you use when entering your game account is not easy. Update your passwords periodically. Be careful not to share your account information with anyone else.
Enable two-factor authentication. Many online gaming services have now expanded their security system to require two-step verification. You can protect your profile from attacks by cybercriminals by turning this feature on.
Be wary of friend requests from strangers. Cybercriminals disguised as actors may try to deceive you and send fake links to learn your data , including your e-mail password .
Do not open links from other players. In this way, malware can be installed on your device and your credentials can be stolen.
Let's say you clicked on a link sent to you by another player during the game. Check whether the site you see belongs to the original brand. Investigate the accuracy of all the brand's information, including its domain name.
Increase your cyber security measures by using anti-virus programs. Most licensed antivirus programs can now be used in game mode. Thus, you can enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience without compromising the security of your computer.
If you want to further tighten your security measures, you can try using a VPN to hide your IP address.
Now that you know the pitfalls and protection methods you may encounter, there is no need to worry. You can visit our blog to see our other content on cyber security.
