For a long time, people didn’t talk much about gamers when it came to cyber security. Even now, it is far more common to hear about hackers attacking businesses, or people falling for scams. But that doesn’t mean gamers are safe from hackers.
Now, as more people play games and the gaming world gets bigger, hackers are starting to target gamers more often. Especially younger ones who play popular games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite. These gamers might be using their parents’ devices, which could have lots of personal info that hackers want.
In fact, in 2022, cyberattacks on young gamers went up by 57%.
Next up, we’ll look at why gamers are facing more risks and share some tips on how they can protect themselves from hackers.
Gaming’s Big Growth and Cyber Security Worries
As more and more people enjoy gaming, the industry’s huge growth has caught the eye of cyber-criminals looking for chances to make money. An article from MSN says that attacks on gaming sites are happening more often. Hackers are using advanced methods to break into players’ accounts, steal important personal info, and mess up the fun of playing games online.
So how do hackers typically go after gamers?
Stolen Credentials and In-Game Items
A big reason hackers target gaming accounts is to get their hands on special game items like unique outfits, weapons, or characters that are worth money outside the game. They look for easy passwords or security weaknesses to sneak into accounts. Then, they steal these valuable items to make money on the side, often by reselling them to other gamers.
Ransoming Gaming Accounts
Another big problem in gaming is ransom attacks. Here, hackers take over someone’s gaming account and then ask for money to give it back. They usually demand payment in specific digital currencies that are hard to track. Unfortunately, many gamers pay up because they don’t want to lose their game progress, special items, or achievements they’ve worked hard for.
Disrupting Online Gaming for Everyone
Hackers aren’t just going after individual players; now they’re also attacking whole gaming platforms to cause trouble. They use DDoS attacks, which basically flood the servers with too much traffic, making the games unplayable for everyone else.
This not only frustrates gamers but can also cost gaming companies a lot of money. They have to spend both time and development to fix these attacks. Beyond that, they may lose money if gamers can’t play or buy things during the downtime.
Why Do Cyber-Criminals Target Gamers?
To fight against the increase of cyber threats in gaming, we need to know why hackers are doing this. Games often have their own kind of economy, where you can buy and sell items, making them a goldmine for cyber-criminals. Plus, since it’s harder to tell who anyone really is in the gaming world, gamers become easy targets.
Keeping Your Gaming Safe: Advice for Gamers
With more cyber threats out there, gamers need to be careful to keep their gaming fun and safe. Parents should also especially keep an eye on the younger players, as they’re more likely targets than ever. So here’s some advice to help keep your gaming experiences secure from hackers.
1. Make Your Passwords Strong
A really easy but important way to keep your gaming accounts safe? Use tough passwords that are hard to guess. Make sure to mix up letters, numbers, and symbols. And don’t forget to change your passwords often to keep your accounts even safer.
2. Turn On Two-Step Verification (MFA)
Two-step verification, or Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), makes your accounts a lot safer. It means you need to prove it’s really you in another way, like getting a code on your phone, before you can log in. Using MFA means hackers can’t get in, even if they figure out your password.
3. Keep an Eye Out and Be Careful
It’s important to know about the new cyber threats that gamers face. Keep up with what dangers are out there, how hackers are trying to trick people, and the best ways to stay safe. Also, be careful with links and files you come across, and watch out when talking to people you don’t know in games.
4. Update Your Games and Security Software
Make sure to keep your game systems, antivirus programs, and computer’s operating system up to date. Most companies provide updates that fix security holes and keep hackers out. Remember, fighting off cyber threats is a continuous effort, so staying current with updates is key to avoiding attacks.
5. Try Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Think about using a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. It essentially scrambles your internet connection to keep your online activities private and safe. This can help protect you from attacks and other harmful things online.
Need a Hand with Keeping Your Business Safe Online?
The gaming industry is constantly growing, and the number of hackers trying to break in are too. This means we all need to be more careful about keeping our data safe online, at home but especially in our businesses. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you out.
Don’t let your work data get into the wrong hands. We’ve got solutions fit for many businesses, ready to make you secure. Just give us a ring, and we can talk about how to keep you safe.
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