Online gaming is great fun, whether you prefer to conquer raids with a group of friends on Destiny or simply play a few rounds of online bingo with the hopes of winning a little cash, it’s a trend that everyone is now catching on to as we have access to better gaming platforms and the industry adopts everything mobile.
However, as with anything related to the Internet, there are some threats. Out of the 1.2 billion people playing games around the world, 700 billion play games online so for those looking to take advantage of the industry, there are plenty of people to choose from. Therefore, it’s a good idea to be aware of these threats before you next log on…
Fake apps
Hackers and scammers attempt to take advantage of people by creating fake apps that when downloaded allow them to attack devices remotely, pulling off information and forcing people to log in to services to obtain passwords.
These apps can also surf the web in the background, clicking on ads on pornographic sites using your login details.
Scareware on fake mobile gaming apps
Pokemon Go fever has subsided slightly, but that doesn’t mean scammers aren’t still taking advantage of those downloading and using the app. Those searching the Google Play store for supporting apps for the game could come across various bogus ones that once downloaded generate scareware ads.
These inform the user that their phone has viruses and that they must pay for an expensive piece of software to remove it. These apps trick unsuspecting individuals, who believe the warnings are actually coming from their phone, and so they purchase the fake fixes.
Check carefully what gaming apps you are downloading, look at who they are made by and ensure you are only using the real deal.
Password stealing
When playing online in teams, other players may contact you to join theirs if you are particularly skilled. However, beware of these random players that start a chat with you, because some of them are hackers looking to obtain your password and then your personal information from your account.
They sometimes tell you that they are having issues hearing you or seeing your video and therefore recommend that you update your software before sending you a link to a website. They tell you this website is the best place to download it from but if you fall for the scam you could be downloading all sorts of viruses and malware to your computer. Never click on a link sent to you by a stranger in an online chat or download anything they suggest.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Extra caution is suggested when it comes to gaming online. If you are moving money into a wallet online keep a close eye on your personal bank account for suspicious transactions that could suggest you have been hacked.
It’s also a good idea to regularly change your password to protect your account from those attempting to gain access – keylogging is a popular method for hackers who attempt to obtain sensitive information from online gamers so if you stay one step ahead and change your password, say every four months you should avoid any problems.
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