Lousy spelling, strange formatting or fonts, and poor grammar can signify a phishing attempt. Keep a clean machine and avoid gaming on public or shared computers. Play on secure WiFi where a password is required. Only download from vetted app stores and double-check the game’s publisher. Always download browser extensions, apps, and games from trusted sources. Keyloggers, spyware, and other malware can monitor your online activity and steal your personal information. Use unique usernames when possible, so it’s harder to identify you on different gaming platforms. Avoid storing financial information like credit cards or crypto keys. Which games do you play? What types of information do you store in those accounts? Are you sharing too much? Stick to the bare minimum personal information needed to play the game. Check your digital footprint as a gamer.A password manager also facilitates secure, convenient password sharing. A strong, unique password for every single account is possible when you don’t have to remember or type them. A password manager generates passwords, stores them securely, and safely fills them for you when you need to log in. Every password for every online account should be different, long, and random. You can typically turn on multi-factor authentication in your account’s security settings, and there are many easy, popular options from which to choose. Even with a stolen password, hackers won’t be able to log in without a code, specific geolocation data, fingerprint, or other selected “factors” that prove someone is the rightful account owner. Multi-factor authentication significantly increases your protection by requiring additional information when logging in. Multi-factor authentication is critical.Laying a solid foundation of following cybersecurity basics will eliminate the most common threats. ![]() ![]() The good news is that you can do plenty to keep your online gaming accounts safe from hackers. These data broker sites’ scope and predatory practices make them frightening entities. The “dark web,” on the other hand, is where criminal activity happens hackers sell stolen data to buyers who want valid gaming credentials, credit card numbers, or other personal data to add to growing databases for illicit use. Still, they may go against user agreements for online games, and there’s no guarantee that a broker won’t simply steal your money, account credentials, or other information. In contrast, “gray” marketplaces aren’t strictly illegal. įor example, some gaming companies have sanctioned marketplaces where players can purchase perks and items, like an online store. Hackers may then sell stolen account credentials or personal data on different marketplaces. In other words, they’ll “rob” your account. Or, they may export any relevant information for their use or resale but otherwise, leave the account accessible to you. Once they’re in, hackers may take over the account and change the password so you’re locked out. Also, if you reuse passwords for many different online accounts, hackers can quickly log in when they find matching credentials. Or, they’ll check databases of leaked credentials to see if any work on popular gaming sites. For example, using social engineering, like targeted phishing attacks, hackers may try to trick you into revealing your online gaming credentials by sending you a link that looks valid. Their tactics may not be particularly sophisticated, but they’re effective nonetheless. Even if you don’t think you have “something worth stealing,” your data is often motivation enough for hackers to try getting into your account. Online gaming accounts are a treasure trove of personal and financial data. What might surprise you is that hackers go after everyday gamers, too. Sometimes hackers pursue these high-profile targets simply for the thrill of it. ![]() Hackers might be after cryptocurrency, source code, in-game assets, or the notoriety of defacing a celebrity handle. It’s no surprise that gaming celebrities and companies are common hacker targets. So, how can you stay ahead of the hackers and win at online security as a gamer? Why hackers target gaming accounts And it’s not just gaming celebrities under attack amateur gamers are a common target, too. ![]() TransUnion found that digital fraud in online gaming is up nearly 400%. Whether you dabble in Minecraft or dedicate whole weekends to Call of Duty, gamers everywhere should note increased hacker activity in the online gaming community.
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