Cybercriminals are struggling to successfully gain access to organizations through phishing attacks, so they now broaden their attacks to include children and the number one place you can find them online through their online computers, console games, or the games themselves, warns James McQuiggan, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4.
Do you or your children play video games online?Â
As a parentOpens a new window , we always want to ensure our children are safe and free from harm. We make them look both ways before crossing the road and wear helmets when riding a bike, but what are we doing to ensure we are protecting our kids from cybercriminal groups playing games online?Â
Online gaming can be fun and engaging, but ensuring your online gaming experience is secure and safe is critical. We can take several steps including using strong and unique passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) (preferably non-phishable MFA), being careful of emails that ask you to provide information or want help with games and monitoring your bank accounts regularly.Â
For gameplay, this also includes avoiding oversharing information online, keeping the game consoles and computers up to date, and finally, only using reputable gaming platforms to reduce the risk of unfair gameplay or attacks.
Strong and Unique Passwords
Use strong, unique passwords for your gaming accounts, and avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. Weak passwords make it easy for hackers to gain unauthorized access to your account and steal your personal information, such as your name, address, and credit card details.Â
By using strong passwords which are difficult to guess or crack and ensuring each account has a unique password, you can significantly reduce the risk of an account breach or compromise. It is also vital to use password managers to help you keep track of your passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.Â
Multi-factor Authentication
Enable two-factor authentication for your gaming accounts to add an extra layer of security. This way, even if someone gets your password, they still need additional authentication information to access your account. While it is not the most robust security feature to have a one-time code sent to your mobile phone, it is better than just having a username and password alone. The best option is to use an authentication app or, even better, a hardware token.Â
Hardware tokens are not readily available for console game systems but could be for PC games. These actions make it much harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access to your account, steal personal information or commit financial fraud. Therefore, using MFA for gaming accounts and systems is crucial to ensure your gameplay remains secure and free from cyber threats. By taking this extra step, you can rest assured that your gaming experience is protected.
See More: How to Recognize and Prevent Social Engineering Attacks in Gaming
Be Cautious of Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are among the most common and effective methods cybercriminals use to steal personal information and gain unauthorized access to gaming accounts and systems. Be on the lookout for phishing scams, where attackers attempt to trick you into revealing your login credentials or other sensitive information. Be wary of emails or messages asking you to click links or download attachments. Phishing emails and messages often mimic legitimate ones and contain links or attachments that can download malware or prompt you to enter your login credentials, ultimately compromising your account security.
It is crucial to watch out for red flags such as emails from unknown senders, emails asking you to verify your account details or emails that contain spelling or grammar errors. Always be cautious of clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, and do not share your personal information, such as your username and password, with anyone. Instead, go directly to the official gaming platform’s website to log in or verify your account details. These precautions ensure your gaming accounts and systems remain secure and free from phishing scams.
Keep Your Software Up-to-date
Keeping your games and other software up-to-date to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes will reduce the risk of cyber threats. Not updating your software could leave your accounts vulnerable to cyber attacks. Software updates often include critical security patches and bug fixes that help protect your accounts from hackers and malware.Â
To stay current, it is essential to regularly check for software updates and install them as soon as they become available, including updates for the gaming platform itself and any other software used in conjunction with it, such as web browsers or antivirus software. It is also essential to enable automatic updates to ensure your software is always up-to-date.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information
Avoid sharing personal information with other players in the game, such as your real name, address, where you go to school, favorite sports teams or phone number. Oversharing personal information can put you at significant risk of cyber threats when it comes to gaming accounts and systems. Cybercriminals can use this information to create fake accounts, perform identity theft or even gain unauthorized access to your accounts and steal your personal and financial information.
One best practice is to use a pseudonym or a screen name that does not reveal your identity. Be cautious when sharing information with other players in the game, and avoid sharing any personal information that is unnecessary for gameplay. Monitoring your social media profiles and avoiding sharing personal information online is also essential. Cybercriminals can use this information to target you with phishing scams or gain access to your accounts.
By being mindful of what information you share online, you can reduce the risk of cyber threats and ensure that your gaming accounts and systems remain secure. Protect yourself and your privacy by keeping personal information private and only share necessary details for gameplay.
See More: How Mobile Gaming Company Kabam Leveled Up Security Defenses
Play on Secure Networks
Avoid playing games on public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, as these networks can be vulnerable to attacks. Instead, play on a secure home network. Playing games on public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks can pose significant security risks to your gaming accounts and systems. Cybercriminals can easily intercept your network traffic and gain access to your personal information or login credentials, ultimately leading to compromised account security.Â
Ensure that your network is password-protected and uses encryption, and avoid sharing your network credentials with anyone. Playing games on secure networks reduces the risk of cyber threats and protects your gaming accounts and systems from unauthorized access. Stay vigilant and ensure that your gaming experience is safe and secure.
Monitor Credit and Debit Accounts
In today’s society, monitoring Opens a new window your bank and credit card activity for unusual charges and activity is a good idea. If a cybercriminal gains access to your account, they can start charging it by purchasing in-game items, money and other financial items. Regularly monitoring your accounts is undoubtedly a habit of ensuring you are fully aware of all transactions and ensuring your children are not charged for in-game transactions. Granted, you can limit the ability to purchase online items in the game. However, sometimes that is set up by default, and very quickly, your child can charge Opens a new window large amounts of money to buy the latest “battle-axe†or vehicle in their online gameplay!
The increasing trend of cybercriminals targeting children through online gaming platforms provides opportunities for several best practices to ensure safe and secure gameplay. These include using strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, being cautious of phishing scams, keeping software up-to-date, avoiding sharing personal information, playing on secure networks and using reputable gaming platforms. By taking these steps, you can enjoy safe and secure gameplay without the fear of cyber threats.Â
What steps are you taking to ensure secure gameplay? Share with us on FacebookOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window . We’d love to know!