Is Your Gaming Setup Safe? Gaming Security Musts

Remember when everyone said that gaming is “just a phase” and everyone will eventually outgrow it? Well, those people haven’t seen the new games, nor did they know what they were talking about. The gaming industry has evolved, and it’s now bigger than the movie industry. Gaming makes $101 billion dollars a year , while Hollywood rakes in 50 billion dollars.

With such large dollar numbers at stake, it’s no surprise that cybercriminals are shifting their attention towards gamers. Where digital money goes, hackers follow. That’s why gamers need to know about gaming security risks, make their setup safe, and ensure their accounts are protected.

9 Gaming Security Musts

For some people, gaming is a stress relief. It’s a way to unwind and chill after a long day at work. But for others, it’s much more. It can be their career if they’re into esports, or it can be their livelihood if they’re content creators. Many gamers approach their setups meticulously. They pick the best mouse, the best keyboard, and the best chair to ensure it’s ergonomic so they can feel good for hours. But they skimp out on the most crucial part – implementing cybersecurity measures. Here are some you need to use immediately.

1.     Use strong passwords

When you’re playing a game, you want to make your character the strongest. You want to be able to beat the final bosses or dominate in PvPs. How can you have a strong character with a weak password? It just doesn’t make any sense. You might be using the same gaming password you created in grade school. It’s time to upgrade it and make it stronger with more characters, numbers, and symbols.

2.     Don’t use the same passwords

If you know that a boss in a video game has a weak spot, it makes sense to attack that weak spot. You’ll defeat it faster. Well, hackers can do the same thing if you use the same password for everything. They’ll breach one and use it to gain access to all your other accounts. It’s tempting to use the same password for everything , but it’s one of the worst cybersecurity moves you can do. Instead of using the same password, get a password manager and remember one master password.

3.     Use multi-factor authentication

Many gamers skip out on multi-factor authentication (MFA). It takes an extra ten seconds to log in when you’re using MFA, while gamers love speed. But let’s be honest here. You’ll be gaming for a few hours. You have ten seconds to spare. You can skip the in-game tutorial but don’t skip the steps in the authentication process. Don’t save your passwords and spend the extra quarter of a minute to type your credentials manually. We all know gamers can grind for hours just to get a slightly cooler helmet for their character. You’ve got the extra 15 seconds.

4.     Use cybersecurity tools

An antivirus might not be enough to keep up with all cybersecurity attacks. Sure, it can scan files for malware, but hackers are stepping their game up. You need to protect your IP just as much as your device if you want to avoid seeing your details sold on the dark web. VPNs are necessary when it comes to hiding IP addresses, and they should be a part of your cybersecurity stack. You should also use dark web monitoring tools that will alert you if your credentials get leaked so you can protect your accounts before cybercriminals have a chance to do (more) harm.

5.     Buy in-game items from trusted stores

Stick to Steam and the Epic Games store. Any website that offers you millions in World of Warcraft gold for a super low price will probably scam you. Only use the official gaming stores when it comes to making purchases. If you go to unofficial channels, it’s easy to start a relationship with a hacker. And that’s a toxic relationship that you don’t want to be in. It will begin with them luring you in with in-game currencies. The next thing you know, they’re in all your accounts. Every new game has booster packs available for purchase in official stores.

6.     Don’t install cheats or add-ons

The era of plugging in CDs in your computer and installing cracked games and add-ons is over. The gaming scene evolved, and rightly so. The same thing goes for cheats. Most people remember having HESOYAM or AEZAKMI on a piece of paper when they were playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. But cheats have evolved as well. If you want to use them, you’ll have to download a .exe file that will allow you to see enemies through walls or help you extract more gold. Developers never sanction these programs. They ruin the gaming experience, and they’re likely made by – you guessed it – cyber criminals. So, never go for any software or app of this kind.

7.     Learn more about phishing

Scammers will try everything to get ahold of your gaming accounts . They’ll send you emails offering special promos, free gold, free diamonds, limited offer bundles, power-ups, and everything under the virtual sun to make you click on a malicious link. They’ll send emails from fake domains (that might look real) and try to get your credit card or login details. Don’t fall for their attempts.

8.     Don’t overshare

There’s a reason why every game asks for a nickname. You should keep your real name private. Pretend you’re DragonSlayer69 or VampireKnight1 or whichever name sounds cool, but don’t use your own name and surname. The same thing goes for your physical location. Keep your personal details private. Only talk about your real name and personal information if you’re gaming with your buddies that you’ve met in real life.

9.     Keep up with cybersecurity trends

If you implement all of the tips we mentioned, you’re already way ahead of most gamers. But why not take it one step further? If gaming is your profession or livelihood, you’ll want as little chance to get compromised as possible. Things change fast in the cybersecurity world, so it makes sense to read a book or listen to a cybersecurity course. Not only that but pay attention to the most recent attacks and news to see which are the newest tricks and what you should steer away from.

Gaming should be about fun. Thanks to these tips, you can have as much fun as you want without worrying about any cybersecurity-related problems happening to you.