Cybersecurity measures have been vastly employed in the gaming industry due to the surge in cyber crimes and threats to gaming technology. Gaming companies apply various measures to protect their users from attacks such as malware or ransomware, DDoS attacks, and account hacking.
However, each user also must be aware of cyber risks and cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from all kinds of cyber attacks, some of which can be more easily avoided than others by the users, such as social engineering and phishing scams. This article teaches the average gamer about potential risks, and forms of which cyber attacks come, and also how to protect one’s self from cyber mishaps which may incur financial losses or identity theft.
Multiple-factor authentications and strong passwords
The use of MFA and strong passwords when creating a gaming account is about as important as creating the account itself. Multi-factor authentications are security systems that require more than one form of verification to access accounts.
These verifications are usually in the form of something you know, have, or are. In other words, passwords, mobile devices, or bio-metrics. When two or more authentications are made before access is granted, the chances of account hacking are reduced.
Strong passwords are usually a combination of numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and characters, and are usually long form. Generally, these passwords should not be guessed or generated easily.
Cybersecurity measures such as these are not unpenetrable but only reduce the chances of a hack or breach as it takes longer to break strong passwords or bypass a multi-factor authentication process.
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Regular software updates and patches
To keep your software protected and efficient, you have to make sure to update your software regularly. These updates aid the entire user experience and secure your software by implementing new features that may serve as patches for vulnerabilities discovered. Most prominent gaming companies are continuously working with developers, cybersecurity analysts, and engineers to provide a fix to any security flaws and enhance the general gaming experience.
The best way to implement these security fixes to your software is to run regular software updates, you might have trouble with keeping up with updates and this is why you can run updates automatically. You could also monitor your gaming apps, making sure to review notifications, in other to run manual updates swiftly. This is because certain applications do not allow automatic updates.
Only Use Secure Wi-Fi Connections
This is one of the simple and important cybersecurity measures that are sometimes overlooked. Connecting to an unprotected Wi-Fi network puts your information at risk. For gamers, considering the unavoidable in-game transactions, it is important to only use secure Wi-Fi connections, while accessing sensitive information such as financial data or passwords.
Secure Wi-Fi Connections use encryption to protect your information and derail tracking apps. However, public Wi-Fi connections are unsecured and may have your information compromised. According to Forbes Advisor, 20% of people use public Wi-Fi to cut down on cellular data usage. However, if you must use public Wi-Fi make sure to use a secure and trustworthy VPN.
Protect Personal Information
Social engineering continues to be a threat, regardless of other cybersecurity measures as it relies on psychological manipulation of unsuspecting users (gamers). It is always important to verify sites asking for personal information before sharing. Social engineering comes in many forms but the best way to avoid it is to ensure to not volunteer personal information without verification or proper consideration.
Proper consideration is important also before sharing certain information on social media. It is an easy means of collecting information about you, and the more an attacker knows about you, the more likely you are to trust them.
Awareness Campaigns For Gamers on Cybersecurity Measures
In conclusion, creating awareness of cybersecurity measures for gamers is important for ensuring a secure gaming environment. This awareness can come in various forms such as social media posts, educational videos or articles, and generally, content targeted to gamers. The use of strong passwords, regular software updates, multi-factor authentications, and maintaining a mindful internet presence are some of the ways for gamers to protect themselves from cyber threats.
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Chidike Princess is a professional creative/content writer, specializing on engaging, informative, and SEO content. Her work can be found on Total Apex Gaming and Total Apex Entertainment.
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