The importance of online safety while gaming

In the digital age, there is a general acceptance that being online carries with it certain risks. The majority of those risks are due to cybercrime and those criminal elements that will use every technique possible to gain access to your systems and platforms to create problems, and steal either money or data. However, no matter how secure we are on social media or cloud platforms, one area that many people lapse on in terms of security is that of gaming. Online games are big business, and with the billion dollar industry becoming increasingly popular, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the lax security that the majority grant to their gaming accounts. If you’re concerned about your levels of online safety, then here are the best place to strengthen your defenses.

The threat of anonymity

‘Never talk to strangers’ used to be the standard advice to all, but with online gaming, that advice has evaporated. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer playing the latest FPS against real players or a Clash of Clans fan defending against the hordes of the world, we now interact with strangers on an all too regular basis. When you add in the fact that the majority of gaming profiles are still anonymous, you have no way of knowing who you’re playing with, where they’re from, or what their intentions are. To keep your security at optimum levels then, it’s a good idea to treat your gaming time as you would if you were in an anonymous online chat room, meaning less is more when it comes to speaking out your life outside the gaming universe. For instance, never divulge any personal information about yourself or your location, and limit your conversation to that related to the game.

Reliable sourcing

There’s a prevailing belief that phishing scams are solely targeted at email and social media platforms, but gaming has opened up a whole new avenue for cybercriminals. The temptation when learning to play a new game and to take shortcuts and download cheats or additional content can be very enticing, which is why it’s essential that you only use content from authorized vendors and providers. This extends to the full range of online gaming options, from first-person shooters on your console to the latest online casino games. For those that do play online casino games, especially those that involve other real players, you can make use of reliable platforms like CasinoPros to ensure that you are only using those sites that have been security approved.

Cleaning your old gaming devices

It’s common knowledge that you should make sure to wipe your old computers and laptops when you finally dispose of them, but it’s all too common that people neglect to do the same to their phones and gaming consoles. Your phone alone has access to a vast amount of your personal information, and that includes your online gaming data. There are a variety of methods to choose from when it comes to wiping your old devices, so it’s worth doing some checking on the best options for your specific device, and as long as you take those vital steps, you will reduce the chances of falling victim to the savvy cybercriminal.

It’s very easy to forget that we need to be as sensible regarding online security on our gaming platforms as it is on other online platforms. Treat your accounts as you would your online banking, and you won’t go far wrong.