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The Biggest Online Gaming Risks and How to Avoid Them 

Gaming is indeed a fun way to keep yourself entertained for a long time. The popularity of online games has surged mainly because of the internet. The value of the USA gaming market alone is estimated to be around 19.13 billion dollars. Since we all use the internet, so online gaming has become one of the favorite ways to connect with people from all over the world. 

Most games require us to set up our gaming accounts to interact and team up with others to win the games. This has posed many cyber security risks because hackers have taken advantage of this opportunity to hack our devices. Since the gaming industry is a billion dollars industry, frequent cyber-attacks can result in economic loss.                                                                  

Dangers of Online Gaming

We have mentioned the dangers of online gaming below. 

Phishing Links

Cybercriminals know that gamers tend to get excited about codes and cheats, so they send phishing links and attachments. The emails or attachments look so legitimate that out of sheer excitement, we download them, and within minutes, hackers can steal our data. 

Malware and Viruses

If you have the habit of searching for free versions of your games, then you are already at risk. Hackers are well-aware of the fact that people love searching for cheaper versions of popular games. They recreate those games with malware and viruses so you can install them. So, while you are busy playing your favorite game, the hackers steal your information from your system. Most of the time, you are not even aware that the virus is in your system, and it keeps on stealing information without your knowledge. While other times you lose access to your device instantly. 

Identity Theft 

Gamers can easily become victims of identity theft because hackers can easily use their personal information. When they collect personal information, such as name, date of birth, address, and so on, they build the profiles of the potential victim. They can then claim loans in your name or get health care benefits. Moreover, they can also perform illegal activities in your name.

Cyberbullying 

Gamers are also likely to be bullied by other players. Cyberbullies are capable of manipulating the victim and disclosing their personal information to third parties. They can later use this information against the victim creating problems in the future. Moreover, they abuse the gamers by sending harmful or derogatory messages to victims. 

Protection Against the Risks 

Do not be hesitant because, fortunately, there are certain steps that you can take to protect yourself from the prevailing risks. 

Activate VPN When Playing Games 

If you love playing online games on your PC, ensure you activate VPN before playing. Hackers cannot find your location when you use a virtual private network. Another benefit of using a VPN is that even your ISP cannot keep tabs on your activity. Most ISPs throttle the internet connection to limit our data consumption. So, a VPN might be helpful. If you are looking for an ISP that does not throttle your connection, then you can choose MetroNet. The best part is that you get unlimited data with every plan as the provider does not impose data caps. To find out more about the plans and perks, click here

Only Download From Legitimate Sources 

Do not waste your time searching for free versions; download the games from legitimate sources. If you cannot afford to pay for it, try playing another game. But never compromise your cyber security for entertainment. 

Do Not Disclose Your Personal Information 

Never include identifiable information, and always use pseudo-names for your characters. Do not share your location or social media accounts even if you are interacting with a stranger. Because you never know you might interact with a hacker. 

Keep Your Software Up-to-Date

Do not use outdated software on your PC or laptop because it might be vulnerable to attacks. Always try to keep your software updated, as the latest versions come with strong security patches. So your device will not be vulnerable to hacks. 

To Finish With 

We know how excited you are to play new online games, but you need to be careful about your cyber security. Online gaming offers great opportunities for hackers to hack our devices and generate money by selling our data or threatening us. However, this blog aims not to scare you but to alert you. So, you stay diligent while you are playing your favorite game. 

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