If you’re worried about the safety of your data while you play your favorite video games, you’re not alone. In fact, as of 2023, there were 3.220 billion gamers worldwide.
When you consider that online gaming is becoming more and more popular, the reason why you need to keep your information safe is pretty evident: cybercriminals can exploit the data they’ve stolen from you and gain money from it.
So, whether you love action-packed online missions or prefer relaxing to minigames on your computer, we’ve got your back. Here are four ways to keep your information safe while you game in peace.
1. Set up two-factor authentication
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself while you play video games is simply turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) in all your gaming accounts. Here are the reasons why:
- When you get a second form of verification, like a code sent to your number or an email, you manually allow yourself to log into your account. If a hacker guesses your password, you will get the alert or code, and you can deny the access easily, giving you time to change your password for a more secure one.
- A lot of popular gaming platforms have these options available, and you get a very effective, secure method to log in without incidents.
2. Make up strong passwords
As we mentioned above, a strong password can save you the trouble of having to deal with a hacker, no matter how small the incident is. It’s important to avoid password sharing or using the same password on multiple accounts.
The data speaks for its own: 81% of company data breaches are caused by poor passwords.
But what is a strong password?
It’s a good mix of upper and lowercase letters, special characters, and even a few random numbers. If you’re afraid you won’t remember all your passwords, invest in a reliable password manager to do it for you. That way, hackers won’t get into your accounts, and you’ll have your information secure on all your gaming platforms.
3. Invest in a VPN
Did you know that two-thirds of global consumers feel that tech companies have too much control over their data? Fortunately, there are a lot of tools that can help you in the cybersecurity market. Among them is a Virtual Private Network, or VPN.
A VPN works by rerouting your internet traffic through a secure server so your data is hidden from everyone online. If you regularly use public Wi-Fi, this is a great tool to protect yourself.
Look for a reliable VPN service provider with servers optimized for gaming to ensure a smooth and secure gaming experience, and learn more about VPN routers to determine if this would improve your privacy.
4. Keep your software and antivirus updated
You can either schedule these updates so they happen on their own, or you can do it manually, but you must do it. Here’s why:
- Developers regularly improve security patches, and that’s where most of the updates come in. Make sure your system is protected against the latest cyberthreats.
- Potential cyberattacks and even malware infections are a problem, and you can avoid them altogether by keeping your antivirus up to date.
To sum up
As you enjoy gaming by yourself or with your friends, don’t forget to keep your data safe. When you combine these four strategies, you can play your video games with ease, resting in the knowledge that you are safe.