Gaming is an activity that millions of people do because it’s fun. So whether you play games from your mobile devices, PS4, or gaming consoles, the activity and hobby are the same.
It is indoor entertainment that allows the participants to interact in a virtual environment where they become their favorite characters. As exciting as all this sounds, some dangers online could endanger your safety.
So what are some steps to ensure that your gaming experience is safe? Find out in this article.
Always Check Your Privacy Settings
When you first sign up for an online game, you should first check your privacy settings. It is essential because online games tend to collect data on users, including their location, IP address, and even credit card information. If this information falls into the wrong hands, they could use it to steal your identity or even commit crimes against you.
You should also avoid using public WiFi networks when gaming online. Public WiFi networks are notoriously unsecure and can easily get hacked by anyone nearby with the right equipment and know-how. If you must use one of these networks, ensure that you’re connecting through a VPN (a virtual private network) to secure your traffic from attackers.
Check Reviews and Ratings
When you’re playing a game online, it’s important to check the reviews and given stars for that specific game. It might not be worth your time if it has many negative reviews. You should also look out for games that have highly positive reviews, as these are typically the best ones.
If you’re playing a new game or an unfamiliar genre, don’t be afraid to question your friends who have played games like these before. Expert ratings can help you choose because they know the ins and outs of any particular game. It’s always a good idea to learn about a game before playing it to know what to expect when starting the software.
Use Your Smartphone or Tablet
If a virus or malware compromises your computer, it could infect all games on that hard drive. So if you’re concerned about security, it’s best to play on a separate device from your desktop computer — preferably one with less valuable personal information.
If you want to use both devices at once, ensure they have different passwords so they can’t access each other’s accounts if one gets hacked. Remember that using two devices also increases the odds of losing access to either one because of a technical issue.
Use a Strong Password
Always use a strong password when signing up for any account or service. It should be at least 12 characters long and include numbers and symbols. Never use personal information such as birthdays or even pet names in your password.
They’re easy for hackers to guess if they hack into your account database. So instead, choose a random combination of letters and numbers that only makes sense to you.
You can also set up two-factor authentication for some sites so that hackers will not use any information they obtain from one site against another one or commit scams online.
Never Download Games from Untrustworthy Sources
It may seem like common sense that you should never download games from untrustworthy sources, but many people don’t realize how dangerous this can be until it’s too late. If you download a game from the Internet, ensure it’s a legitimate website that you trust.
There are plenty of legitimate sites where you can buy games — Steam is one of them — but others might not be so safe. Never download games from unknown recognised websites because they could contain viruses or malware that could infect your computer and damage your hardware or personal information.
Stay Safe While Gaming!
Your safety is the number one priority in gaming, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important to have fun. If you’re going to be gaming online, make sure you follow these simple tips to protect your safety and enjoy yourself at the same time!