The rise of online gaming platforms is attracting many cybercriminals who are looking for new ways to execute their malicious skills, and Kaspersky Lab has so far discovered 4.6 million pieces of gaming-focused malware. Have you ever wondered why many of us neglect to follow security rules while playing online games? This behavior might seem strange, but there is a scientific explanation for it. "Our behavior changes when we enter play mode, as video games address both our emotional and logical systems, while we respond differently to each game; all games share an impact on our behavior in real life," explains Frank Schwab, a media psychology professor at Würzburg University. "Players tend to find it difficult to ignore the feeling of success in games and the achievements they can't attain in real life, which can lead to risky online behavior, as players may resort to deception and fraud through illicit sites, for example," the professor adds.
Many players disable their antivirus programs because games consume a lot of power, and players want to enjoy the highest quality visuals possible, whatever the cost, which includes sacrificing security. As a result, players constantly fall victim to malware and phishing attacks carried out by cybercriminals. Hackers often use their own methods to sell login data for victims' gaming accounts. The more time you spend developing your character in a game, the more attractive it becomes to hackers. For example, an advanced character from a popular RPG can be sold for $10,000!It's easy to lose your valuable character; for instance, this can happen when you download a free screensaver from an unknown player. Recovering a stolen account is not easy; you may have to wait days or even weeks to reclaim your account, often returning to a "raw" character stripped of all valuable and precious items.
Here is another dangerous aspect: credit cards linked to user accounts. The attractive emails directed at players, especially during major gaming seasons (like holidays), are phishing campaigns aimed at stealing your banking information and other valuable data, and these fraudulent offers often present significant discounts or cheap in-game items. The Sony Pictures hacking scandal is still ongoing, and keep in mind that this is not the first stumble Sony has encountered, as seen during the network outage that lasted several months in 2011. If this is what happens to giant companies, you can imagine the extent of the damage that ordinary users might face. There are three main tips for the security of video game enthusiasts, which are almost the same basic tips for device security: Beware of phishing campaigns and unknown players, verify the validity of the site you are being redirected to via the link in the email you receive, and check the file code that you will open.
Use strong and unique passwords, as many accounts were hacked last year due to weak passwords; you can also use a password manager. Do not disable your antivirus program! If you do not have a program, choose a good one. And as a special tip for Kaspersky users: you can find a detailed usage guide here regarding the gaming option, and it will update the settings for all components of the antivirus program. Follow these main rules, and stay safe while enjoying your video games!
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