Video Game Day – Best Practices for Attacking Cyber Criminals Trying to Ruin Your Fun

Video Games Day is approaching! On July 8, enthusiasts will have the perfect opportunity to indulge in their favorite games and celebrate the evolution of their favorite pastime.

In recent years, games have evolved from text-based games on PCs to consoles and now include mobile devices. These sophisticated platforms have revolutionized the way we play and interact with fellow gamers around the world; however, this interaction brings opportunities for identity theft.

Consider that by 2016, an expected 1.2 billion online gamers worldwide will be connected. Cyber criminals view this access as a gold mine of opportunities to take advantage of unsuspecting gamers. Since their information is often stored in a cloud-based system to easily link consoles and devices, gamers are a prime target for valuable information to be sold in underground markets.

Also, there will be attempts to phish for virtual gaming assets. Once stolen, these assets can be sold for quick cash. If that’s not enough, cyber criminals will often spread malware onto a gamer’s console to gather sensitive information or gain access to their personal network.

If you’re a gamer, it’s essential for you to stay alert to the vulnerabilities presented by modern-day, always-connected gaming consoles. You need to be proactive in protecting both your private information and your gaming assets.

Be sure to stay safe with these quick tips:

Use a separate email account to register for games so hackers can’t access your address book, contact information and verification details from your primary email. When signing up for a gaming account, decide what information is important to keep accurate. There is no need to correctly fill in details that will not interfere with your gaming experience, including your real name, address and birth date. Do not link your credit or debit card information to any gaming account if you do not plan on buying in-game items. If you need to make purchases within a game, ask your card provider about verification services for online transactions. Some games support two factor authentication. Make sure you enable it. Before you hand over your personal information or payment details, make sure you are on an official site by double-clicking links and branding marks. Be aware that connecting your console to your home network may lead to cyber criminals snooping in your system. Install reliable security software that can also detect malicious links and spam, and regularly scan your system to make sure that your system is malware-fee.

Don’t let cyber criminals ruin your gaming experience. By taking proper precautions, you can reduce the risk of being a victim. This is an exciting time to be a gamer, but there are pitfalls. With a little preparation, you won’t miss a beat!

To my fellow gamers, have a Happy Video Game Day and stay proactive in keeping your prized gaming console safe this year!

Please add your thoughts in the comments below or follow me on Twitter; @GavinDonovan.

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