Staying safe online is absolutely essential in today’s age, with hackers and people who want to do you harm getting more and more intelligent. In this article, we’ll be giving you some extensive tips that could help you stay safe online as well as some general bits of advice that can keep you secure when playing fun online games.
What can you do to stay safe?
Online gaming is enjoyed by millions but you would be surprised at the number of people who fail to look after themselves and their security online. By leaving yourself vulnerable to hackers and bad faith online users you risk having your identity stolen, money being taken from your bank accounts, and your personal data, as well as that of your family, being taken and potentially used against you.
1. Use a strong and unique password for your account
One of the simplest and most important things you can do when trying to stay safe online is to make sure you have a strong and unique password for every account you have. This includes your email account, social media accounts, and of course, any gaming accounts.
A strong password is one that’s at least 10 characters long and includes a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols. It is also wise to avoid using real words as well as things that you can easily be identified with.
2. Enable two-factor authentication on apps
Many websites and online services now offer two-factor authentication, which is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a verification code sent to your phone or email inbox in order to log in. This helps ensure that only you can access your account, even if someone manages to get hold of your username and password.
If your chosen online gaming platform offers two-factor authentication, make sure that you have it enabled so that you have this added protection.
3.Keep your device’s security and software up-to-date
It’s vital that you keep all of your software up-to-date, and this includes the software on your computer as well as the software on your games console. By keeping all your devices up-to-date, you’re making sure that you have the latest security features installed and these can help protect you from hackers and other threats.
The best online security software you can buy is Norton Security, which can help keep your devices safe.
4. Avoid using free Wi-Fi when playing in public
Public Wi-Fi is famously insecure, and it’s easy for hackers to steal your data or hack into your gaming device when you’re connected to a publicly available network. If you’re going to be playing multiplayer games, we would recommend avoiding public Wi-Fi altogether, but if you have no other option then use a VPN and then connect to the internet.
This will help to keep your data safe and secure. Instead of using public Wi-Fi, try to use your home Wi-Fi or a trusted private network. You could also use your mobile data when out and about.
5. Keep identifiable information to yourself
When it comes to playing online games, you should keep your personal details to yourself. This includes your address, phone number, and full name. Giving out this information can make you exposed to scams and other harmful activities.
Public chat rooms can be a great place to socialize with new people and make new friends, but you should be wary of revealing too much personal information too soon. This could leave you at risk of being scammed by hackers.
6. Be aware of tricksters and phishers
Phishing is a type of scam where scammers will try to extract your private information by posing as a genuine company, person, or website. They do this by sending you false emails or messages that appear to be from a reliable source.
Be very wary of any unwarranted emails or messages that ask for your private and personal information, and never click on any links or download any attachments unless you are absolutely sure that the source is trustworthy and reputable.
7. Make sure you use a VPN when gaming online
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is an add-on that allows you to access the internet via a secure connection. This helps maintain your privacy and keep your details safe from hackers and online users.
If you’re going to be playing multiplayer games, we highly recommend using a VPN to keep you safe. Our top pick for the very best VPN is ExpressVPN – it offers super-fast connection speeds, strong safety features, and future-proof levels of data encryption.
8. Avoid downloading third-party modifications
While it might be tempting to download mods to enhance your favorite games – Skyrim players take note – these mods can cause real damage to your device if they don’t come from a developer-approved source.
These mods can make a completed game so much more fulfilling, especially if they address storylines that were never fully fleshed out, but you should be selective when it comes to choosing where you get them from.
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