Online Gamers – Stay Safe While Playing

Thanks to our ever-growing need for more digital entertainment, the online gaming industry has experienced some staggering growth in the past few years. But as more and more people turn to gaming, hackers have found a unique opportunity to identify potential victims. What are the main risks that gamers face – and how can they stay safe online? Anyone who likes to log on through an internet connection should heed these friendly warnings.

Beware of malware

Online gaming often requires players to sign up on a platform in order to access the game. This is especially true with multiplayer games, and further risks arise when gamers have the option for in-game chat. In this kind of gaming, a user’s true identity is shielded behind their username – which makes it the perfect ground for cyber criminals to roam free.

Be wary of any players asking for personal information from you, or urging you to click on links in order to download alleged “cheats”. These may contain spyware or ransomware. With so many attacks recorded across the globe in the past couple of years, KnowTechie has identified malware as one of the leading cyber crime sectors set to grow in 2019, reaching $11.5 billion in damages. In this case, traditional defense tools will prove insufficient in terms of protection. The bottom line? Only click on links from trusted sources.

Source: Pexels

Is it too good to be true?

Any type of unexpected offer that promises to give you an advantage or bonus should be scrutinized as this is a very common phishing approach. This is especially important when playing games where financial transactions are inherently a part of the game – like online gambling. In order to play at any online casino you pick, you will need to provide them with some of your financial and payment information, so it is crucial to always choose providers that are reputable and can be trusted.

The question is, how do you know which sites are reputable and which ones aren’t? The best way to assess this is to see which software providers are used at the site. At Paddy Power, for instance, there several types of jackpot slots available from well-known developers like Red Tiger and Bar crest. Seeing these familiar brands should give players peace of mind that the site is reliable.

Be wary of “free” games

Leading cybersecurity firm McAfee advises gamers to watch out for free-to-play games. Cyber criminals often send out malicious links or fake apps that are made to resemble real and popular free games. Once the player starts downloading, they inadvertently execute spyware or viruses that can have devastating ramifications.

As McAfee reports, over 2.6 million gamers on an Android-powered platform downloaded counterfeit Minecraft apps which enabled hackers to gain unauthorized access to their devices. There is even specialized ransomware, like TeslaCrypt, designed to attack gamers.

Players who are careful and aware of the potential dangers online should be able to keep their personal information safe. It’s often just a case of common sense when it comes to internet safety. Don’t click on weird links from unknown players, and look for reputable developers when playing at a gambling site.