Online gaming has become one of the most fun and exciting activities of all time. However, with fun comes dangers as well. Many people think that hackers and cybercriminals only attack big gamers and streamers.
But that’s not true. Criminals can attack any gamer who is connected to the Internet. So, it is extremely important to build safe and strong walls in order to defend yourself from such attacks.
As a gaming enthusiast, I always try to maintain a high-security level against both bullies and harmful viruses.
In this online gaming safety guide, I’ll be covering some major points to help you do the same.
Let’s start.
Before I begin discussing the guide, there are some online gaming statistics related to security that you should know about. I’ve listed them below:
- Three out of four gamers from the age of 10 to 17 experience harassment.
- Downloading games from unofficial sources has a chance of exposing players to viruses.
- In the first half of 2024, attackers increase their attacks by up to 30%.
- Over 90% of gamers have experienced or witnessed bullying or emotional abuse.
Online gaming safety means all the security measures gamers take in order to stay safe from cyberattacks and cyberbullies. Due to globalization, the gaming field has become very huge. Almost everyone from around the world can connect with each other and have fun.
Although it has brought a lot of benefits, this ease of connection has made things unsafe as well. Criminals now have better chances to access the information of gamers and attack their profiles for benefits. Online gaming safety measures ensure that people stay safe from such attacks.
These measures include a lot of things ranging from having a strong password to avoiding phishing attempts. The strength of these measures totally depends on the gamer. They can use as strong measures as possible to stay safe.
As mentioned, it is up to the gamer what type of measures they want to take. Still, there are some top ones that every gamer should consider following.
1. Create Strong Passwords
The first and foremost thing you need to do is create strong passwords. Every big game allows people to create profiles and set passwords. Hackers try to crack the password in order to steal the profile from you.
That’s why, it is important to set passwords that are strong and easily memorable for you. It will help with keeping the profile safe and make sure you don’t lose any data and progress.
Executing the measure:
- Follow the title’s guidelines for setting the password.
- Use a proper combination of letters, symbols, and numbers.
- Use online tools and software to create and memorize complex passwords.
2. Protect Personal Information
Besides passwords, another thing that’s pretty critical in the world of online gaming is personal information. It includes data like:
- Name
- Address
- Contact information
- Payment information
- SSN
These types of data are sensitive and can do a lot of harm if it goes into the wrong hands. As a gamer, it is important for you to protect your personal information to keep yourself safe.
Executing the measure:
- If possible, use a fake name or username on the game.
- Avoid sharing personal data with fellow gamers online.
- Use privacy settings and limit the visibility of data.
- Avoid entering stranger chatrooms while playing
3. Avoid Phishing Attempts
As a gamer, I’ve always tried to make my profiles the best by adding fancy and useful items. In-game items attract people a lot and criminals use them for their benefit. They use the phishing technique and do different things like provide fake giveaways through harmful links.
Players get attracted to these shiny offers and end up exposing themselves to viruses or ransomware. So, you should avoid such phishing attempts at all costs.
Executing the measure:
- If possible, do not participate in giveaway contests at all.
- Verify the source and only take part in authentic contests organized by authentic people.
- Check the site URLs before opening them.
- Use 2FA to get an extra layer of security against such scams.
4. Use Security Tools and Software
Using security tools and software is extremely essential while gaming online. I have mentioned earlier how criminals have better opportunities to attack gamers. They’re using advanced technologies in order to do that. So, if gamers want to keep themselves safe, they have to use the technology as well.
These tools range from antivirus to anti-phishing browser extensions. Gamers should utilize them in order to fight criminals against their advanced attacks.
Executing the measure:
- Analyze security requirements and install relevant software.
- As a PC gamer, use browser extensions for safety.
- Keep on updating the in-use software for better protection.
5. Use VPN
Vpn is one of the effective online security measures that helps you to stay safe and protect from harmful attacks. So, it is better to use a VPN to hide your IP address while playing online games and no one can know your location.
However, some gamers avoid using VPN because it may slow down the gameplay but if you use a good quality or premium Vpn it will not affect your gameplay.
Executing the Measures
- Always choose a good quality or premium VPN
- Don’t rely on one VPN, try to keep changing VPN every week
- Look for a VPN with a wide network of servers
- Ensure the VPN provider offers strong encryption
6. Share with Care
When you are playing online games with strangers or people whom you met through gaming platforms, do not share your privacy or personal information. Also, you should care to add more information on your gaming profile.
The more you share, the easier it will be for attackers or cyber criminals to steal your identity. Sometimes saying no is the caring thing, for example, if someone asks you to share your location, number, email address, or anything personal, clearly say “NO”
Executing the Measures
- Keep your gaming profile simple and private information free
- Don’t add strangers widely in your game buddy
- Don’t add strangers without knowing them
7. Always Use Updated Gaming Software
As a gamer, it is important to know that using updated gaming software is beneficial to stay safe online. A software update adds new security features, patches, and fixes vulnerabilities. Old and outdated software is easy to crack and steal information, and cyberattackers take advantage of that.
You can keep your gaming devices, operating systems, and gaming software up to date with the latest patches and security updates. This helps protect against known vulnerabilities.
Executing the Measure
- Frequently check the software updates
- Update the software as soon as they are available
- Improve game performance with latest updates
8. Use Credit Card Over Debit Card
If you are making purchases through online gaming stores like Nintendo Shop or PS Games Stores, then make sure to use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards are more protected and provide protection against fraudulent charges. Also, these ensure customer protection, which means you can get your money back in case of fraud or scam.
If you are getting benefits of money back for a scam or fraud, why not use a credit card?
Executing the Measure
- Use a reliable credit card for your in-game purchases
- Do not share your credit card details with anyone
- Credit cards are more secure against theft and fraud
If you’re not careful enough and avoid safety measures, it can affect you badly in different ways. Here are some of the main ones:
Account Loss
Weak or no security measures result in the loss of the gaming account. Whether you have failed to set a strong password or fallen for a phishing trick, the account can be stolen by hackers and you’re going to lose all the progress.
Financial Loss
By monetizing gaming skills, people are making a proper living in this field. Some people even have made it their full-time career. If you’re also making money from playing different titles, loose security measures will cause a financial loss for you. For example, a hacker could steal your streaming account and there will be no source of earnings.
Personal Harassment
I’ve mentioned earlier how exposing personal information can be harmful. People will use this information and might even track where you live. As a result, you might start facing personal harassment which will affect you both physically and psychologically.
Damaged Devices
If you’ve been playing titles for a while, you know how expensive gaming systems are. Viruses and malware threats can harm the devices which would be very unfortunate.
Cyberbullying
Another thing that gamers might face as a result of bad safety measures is cyberbullying. If they join different chatrooms without any monitoring, they might get exposed to bullying which can cause psychological issues.
Online gaming technologies are helping improve the field a lot. I’ve mentioned some top technologies below:
Advanced Encryption
Advanced encryption methods are being used to keep data safe and secure in this field. The thing is, only players do not have to maintain their security. Development companies are also taking steps in this case. They’re using encryption methods like SSL to encrypt the data properly. As a result, hackers are unable to attack the data and harm players.
Two-Factor Authentication
Another piece of technology helping in this case is Two-Factor Authentication. It is a way of strengthening the security measures to make sure no hacker or criminal accesses gaming data. Instead of only using a password as a safety measure, 2FA uses extra things for safety.
These things include:
- OTP
- Biometric authentication
- Authenticator applications
AI Moderation
Companies are using Artificial Intelligence in order to moderate the gaming world. Manual moderation takes time and resources and is also prone to errors. On the other hand, AI uses advanced algorithms that are fast and accurate. With these algorithms companies, monitor games to identify and block cybercrime activities.
It does it in the following ways:
- Use filter systems to detect offensive language and toxic behavior.
- Identify hackers that are using illegal ways to win games.
- Analyze and block scamming and phishing attempts.
Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming is another big technology that provides both convenience and security when it comes to playing titles. It is a technology in which people are allowed to play games on cloud servers without needing heavy equipment.
Besides convenience, these services use built-in security tools to keep things streamlined. They detect attacks and block them in order to keep their customer data safe and secure. Some measures they take include:
- Built-in DDoS protection
- Regular security updates
- Secure authentication methods
NFTs
One of the most overlooked factors in online gaming safety is transactions and trades. People make transactions and exchange different in-game items with other players. To make these things secure, companies are now providing the NFT technology.
It is a blockchain technology with which players can attach their assets. Then, they can share or trade these assets in a secure environment without worrying about scams or incomplete transactions.
As a parent, you’re responsible for making sure your child engages in a safe gaming environment. Here is a parents guide to online gaming that you can follow as a parent for gaming safety:
- Set proper time limits and don’t allow the child to play once the limit ends.
- Take a proper overview of a title before allowing the child to play it.
- Use built-in parental control features of different tiles in order to keep things safe.
- Monitor online transactions carefully.
- Try playing titles with your child so that you can understand the gaming environment properly.
To bulletproof the safety measures, there are some online gaming tips and strategies that you can utilize. I’ve listed the main ones below:
- Do not use public Wi-Fi to play titles. These networks aren’t properly secure and can be harmful.
- Don’t hesitate to block people who show toxic behavior and abusive language.
- If you’re using safety tools and software, update them regularly to enjoy better functionality.
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards for transactions to utilize better security protocols.
- If you suspect someone violating the title’s terms, report them immediately to the authorities.
Online gaming safety should be your first priority if you spend a lot of time playing titles with other people. Cybercriminals have become advanced and are using different techniques to harm players. Fortunately, the discussed security measures are there to help you out.
These measures not only focus on technical safety but also help with keeping you safe physically and psychologically. Keep in mind that hackers are everywhere. It is your responsibility to stay safe and use advanced protocols. Also, report any suspected hacker or criminal who you come across.
How safe is online gaming?
Online gaming is very safe. Companies are using different protocols to keep everything secure. Still, there are chances that players might get exposed to bullying or phishing attempts.
How do you stay safe online while gaming?
The best way to stay safe online while gaming is by following a few top security measures. Try using strong passwords and avoid any suspicious giveaway link. Also, use software and tools to keep the technical side of the gaming safe and secure.
Is online gaming good or bad?
The answer to this question is very subjective. For many people, online gaming is extremely beneficial for a number of reasons such as better mental awareness. On the other hand, it can be harmful as well since people might spend a lot of time on it.
Is online gaming OK for kids?
Yes. It is okay for kids to engage in online titles since they’re fun and secure. Still, it is important for parents to keep an eye on this activity. Avoid letting them game for a long time and overview the gaming environment yourself as well.
