Online gaming has turned into an international craze that connects millions of players in a huge gaming world. Though good for social and competitive gaming, this connectivity also provides more opportunities for cybercriminals, and not enough gamers pay attention to data protection. In this short guide, we’ll walk you through the best data safety practices, why they are important and how you can implement them for a safer gaming experience.
Security
Before starting your game, you should first set up your basic security measures. Most of the other security activities will be built upon these fundamental pillars.
Strong, unique passwords
A password is the key to your digital life, and you should treat it as such. A strong password is one that’s hard for humans and computers to guess. A strong password has several key features. It should be long, ideally 12 to 16 characters or more, because a longer password takes a computer a lot longer to crack. It should be complex, meaning you should use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. And it should be unpredictable, so you should avoid using common words, phrases or personal info like your name, birthday or pet’s name. A password like ‘Password123’ is not a good choice.
Creating a strong password is half the battle. The other half is ensuring that you never use the same password for a different website or service. A common hacking practice is to use a technique known as ‘credential stuffing’. This technique refers to the situation when hackers pull username and password lists from a data breach and try them on other websites. If you have the same password for your email, your game launcher and your social media, and there’s a breach in one of these, all of them will be compromised. A good password manager can help you generate and save unique, complex passwords for all your accounts.
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the most effective security measures you can enable. Two-factor authentication is a security improvement that requires not just a password but also some other type of authentication to log in. The process works in a simple sequence: you first enter your username and password as the first factor that you know. As a result, the service asks you for a second piece of information, which is typically a temporary code that acts as a second factor.
Usually, you’ll receive this code via SMS text on your mobile device, or it’ll be generated using a mobile app like Google Authenticator or Authy. In simple terms, a criminal may steal your user name and password but will not be able to access your account without also having your phone with them. Most major game platforms, such as Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net and Ubisoft Connect, use 2FA.
Securing your gaming environment
Your security doesn’t stop at your account credentials – your device and network are just as important to secure.
Keep your software and systems up to date
Software updates can be annoying but you can’t ignore them, as they protect you from cyberthreats. Programmers release fixes and upgrades that patch known vulnerabilities, which are holes in the code that hackers can use to get inside your system. This applies to multiple layers of your gaming setup. You should always install updates for your OS, whether you are on Windows, a Mac or on Linux, once they come out. You should also update your game clients to the latest version, including the Steam and Epic Games Store clients. Game devs fix security holes along with bug fixes and content updates, so keeping your games up to date is just as important a practice.
Running outdated software is like leaving a door open for cybercriminals. Automating your updates where possible is the way to go to make sure you’re always protected.
Antivirus and anti-malware software
Good antivirus and anti-malware software is something you need to have. These programs run in the background. They look for, find and isolate or delete malware that can harm your data.
If you are a gamer, you should know that threats can come in many ways. Some bad code is made to record every key you press – people call this a keylogger. The goal of keyloggers is to get your passwords and other private data, like your credit card numbers.
There is another danger called spyware. This is software that quietly keeps track of what you do and sends this information to someone else.
You should also watch out for Trojans. This type of malware acts like the real thing; for example, a game mod or cheat tool. But if you run it, it can steal your data or let a hacker take charge of your PC.
Modern-day antivirus software is lightweight and often has a gaming mode to suspend notifications and heavy scans while gaming, so that performance is not compromised.
Legit vs scam gaming platforms
The internet is full of tempting offers, sometimes designed to get you into trouble. Gamers are always looking for a good deal or a way to try out a platform with minimal commitment, and that can lead them to shady sites.
For example, in the iGaming and online casino world, a player might search for a no deposit bonus to try out a new site. But this is exactly when you need to be most careful. Scammers create fake promotional sites that look like real casinos to steal your personal and financial info when you try to sign up. Before you enter any info, always verify the site is legit. Look for official licensing info, read third-party reviews and make sure the site uses HTTPS encryption, which is indicated by the lock or similar icon in your browser’s address bar.
Data security is part of modern online gaming. It assists in differentiating safe behavior from risky behavior. If you know why the measures are in place and how they work, you will enjoy your gaming more and be able to focus on your own gaming pleasure.
Smart ways to be safe
Many online games involve real money transactions, from buying the game itself to in-game purchases and subscriptions, so your payment details need to be secure.
When you pay for online services, choose payment methods that have a layer of separation between the vendor and your bank account. Credit cards are safer than debit cards because they have stronger fraud protection, and if a fraudulent charge is made, the credit card company will be more motivated to fix it. Another safe option is a service like PayPal, where you don’t have to enter your card details on the gaming website – the vendor sees only your PayPal info. For maximum security, use prepaid cards or gift cards, where even in a worst-case data breach, the only amount at risk is the value loaded on that specific card.