9 Simple Tips To Ensure Privacy When Gaming Online

Some of the best video game content can be found online, where gamers can engage in massive multiplayer worlds. These games allow them to communicate with other players, work together as a team, and purchase in-game content to level up their players.

However, the internet can be a dangerous place, with cybercriminals lurking online to attempt to steal personal or financial information for nefarious purposes. That’s why it is so important that gamers know how to stay safe while playing online.

1. Use Complicated Passwords

Keen gamers tend to have various gaming accounts across consoles and platforms. To manage all these accounts, it may seem like a good idea to use the same username and password for all of them to simplify matters, however, this makes the accounts much more vulnerable.

It’s important to create individual, strong passwords for every account so that hackers won’t easily be able to access data. A strong password should have about 16 characters consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.

There are password generators that can be used to help create random, strong combinations.

Gamers should create a gaming-specific email address, which should be separate from their personal email address, to create all their accounts.

2. Allow Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a verification system where gamers can’t log in with just their passwords; they must also provide additional information like a One-Time PIN (OTP) sent to their cell or email, or biometric logins using a fingerprint or facial recognition.

MFA prevents hackers from accessing accounts, even if they have login details, since they won’t be able to complete the verification process.

Most reputable gaming platforms offer MFA options to login, which users can enable on their account settings. This type of authentication will also alert users if someone else is trying to access their accounts without their permission and verification information.

3. Use A VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are tools that encrypt all internet traffic, providing privacy to the user. Gamers tend to avoid VPNs since they sometimes slow down gameplay; however, a good VPN using the latest security protocols won’t impact internet speeds.

Some games are designed specifically with VPNs in mind. For example, VPN-friendly casinos continue to offer an engaging and fast-paced online gambling experience while ensuring users’ information is protected.

VPNs are worthwhile investments for gamers who enjoy live games, since hackers are often lurking on these games to track down a player’s IP address, revealing their location. A VPN hides the IP address, protecting the player and all their transmitted data.

4. Don’t Use Your PII For A Username

Personally identifiable information (PII) includes any details that can be used to determine exactly who the player is. This includes names and surnames (as well as middle names), locations, age, birthdays, or even a pet’s name.

Many gamers tend to use their PII to generate a username or password. For example, someone named Ben who was born in 2008 may make his username GamerBen08. This may seem harmless at first, but even these small details can be used to target gamers online. When creating a username, gamers must avoid using any PII and opt for something completely random.

5. Make In-Game Purchases With A Credit Card

Credit cards typically provide more protection against fraud or false charges than debit cards. It is recommended that gamers use a credit card for any in-game purchases or transactions on an online video game store.

If a hacker were to get access to a gaming account and attempt to make a purchase, it is best that this is done with a credit card, since the card issuer will take charge and reverse any fraudulent expenses. The same can’t be done with a debit card, or if a gamer has saved their banking details on their account.

6. Only Play Games Or Download From Trusted Resources

Free games can be tempting, and there are plenty of sites that offer free pirated versions of the most popular games. However, these games often come with malware or viruses or result in a cyber attack once downloaded and installed. Players are also not able to add security patches or the latest updates to pirated or illegally downloaded games.

It is best to only download games from reputable, official gaming websites or app stores. Paying the extra price for a legitimate game is worth it if the alternative is having all your information stolen.

7. Don’t Share Your PII With Strangers

Gamers who prefer playing multiplayer games quickly create a sense of camaraderie with their teammates. This can quickly transform into familiarity. Although many people do form real friendships online, it is always best to tread carefully and monitor which information is shared with other players.

If someone is a stranger, don’t share any PII, including an address, surname, phone number, or email address.

8. Read The Game’s Terms And Conditions

This can be a very dull activity, but reading a game’s Ts and Cs are important, especially the privacy policy. Users need to check if the game company is seeking the right to monitor communications as well as how much personal information is stored or shared with third parties.

Having a grasp of a game’s privacy policy can act as a deterrent to play a specific game, especially if the company is seeking consent to sell information to others or listen to chats between players.

9. Be Careful What You Download Or Click On

Online games often feature custom weapons or armour, or cheat codes and mods. Although these can all make a game more interesting, they’re not provided by the game developer and can pose a risk.

When these files are downloaded, players may expose themselves to harmful data that can contain malware or crash the entire system. Avoid clicking on suspicious links, don’t enter login information for any downloads, and guard your financial information unless purchasing upgrades from an official website.

Wrapping Up

Ensuring privacy online is straightforward, as long as gamers protect their personal information and avoid suspicious websites. A combination of a random username and password created by a password manager will already go a long way to protect a player’s identity, while a VPN can hide an IP address. It is always better to be extra cautious online, whether you’re downloading a new game or playing an online casino game.