Protecting Your Sensitive Information While Playing eSports
Cyberattacks on the gaming industry more than doubled between 2020 and 2021, and they have only continued to rise since.
The steady increase in popularity and the rapidly expanding nature of e-sports make it an attractive target for cybercrime.
With millions of players and some very exciting competitions held, essentials must be put in place to safeguard sensitive information in the e-sports arena.
esport fan Cyber Security in E-Sports Overview
As the enormous e-sports player base continues to grow and the financial stakes rise, so does the threat of cybercrime.
When personal information is available hackers will exploit any weakness going to get their hands on your credentials.
We kick back with a game to relax, but to truly play with peace of mind, cybersecurity measures must be seriously thought about.
Why Does E-Sports Need Cyber Security?
The e-sports arena can be a lucrative one for anyone looking to exploit your information. Prize money, sponsorships, and in-game purchasing give cyber criminals countless opportunities to intercept and take whatever is at stake and a whole lot more.
Without proper security measures on both ends, the competitive elements that attract so many users turn the playing field into a minefield.
Common E-Sports Cyber Threats
Below is a list of common threats players might face when playing on the e-sports arena:
- DDoS Attacks: Hackers might look to disrupt tournaments by using DDoS attacks, flooding traffic, and overwhelming the platform to affect the tournament outcomes.
- Taking Over Accounts: Users may have their in-game assets stolen if a cybercriminal gains unauthorized access to their account. What’s more personal details attached to the account may then be used for further fraudulent activities.
- Phishing Scams: Like any other online activity, phishing scams are rife in the world of e-sports. Without care and vigilance, you could fall prey to a deceptive message with a dangerous link looking to steal your info.
E-Sports Essential Security Measures
Amazingly, in a survey conducted by Omdia report 81% of users were concerned about hacking but 40% use no security measures to protect themselves. Here are some invaluable measures that e-sport players should consider:
- Strong Passwords: Always use a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters, and remember the longer, the better. A password manager can help you generate a secure password and store it for retrieval.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): In addition to a complex password secondary authentication methods help ensure no unauthorized access.
- Secure Your Network: you might want to consider a VPN as well as a strong home network password.
- Software Updates: Without the latest software updates, you are unprotected against security vulnerabilities that have been recently patched.
- Phishing Recognition: Always verify the source of any email or message, look for red flags such as strange language or misspellings, and never click suspicious links.
- Social Engineering Tactics: Remain cautious and vigilant never share your passwords or personal details, even if you appear to be receiving legitimate requests.
Enhancing E-Gaming Security With Tech
There are a few technological solutions you can employ to help keep your gaming experience safe. Let’s examine:
Anti-virus and Anti-Malware Software
Reputable anti-virus and anti-malware software help to keep you protected against viruses, worms, and ransomware. They work in the background sweeping to detect and remove malicious software.
Firewalls and Encryption
Firewalls block any unauthorized requests for access to keep your network protected from anyone lurking to intercept.
Encryption ensures that any data transfer is turned into gibberish so that if somehow it is intercepted the details are illegible and useless to the hacker.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN can provide the encryption necessary, it also routes your traffic safely through secure servers perfect for playing more safely on a public or shared network.
They also grant access to geo-restricted gaming services click here to learn more about VPN benefits.
Safe Gaming Environment Checklist
A safe gaming environment must be fostered by the users; by participating in secure tournaments, you promote secure options to others, and reporting suspicious ones helps filter out the dangers for everyone. Here’s what you have to do:
- Choose tournaments that have transparent security policies and those that use anti-cheat software demonstrating that they prioritize security.
- Report any suspicious activities or accounts that you believe to be compromised to the platform administrators and support teams immediately.
Vigilance & Diligence Equals Safety
The competitive side of e-sports and the attractive stakes make it thrilling and while a leisure activity, some precautions must be taken to keep it enjoyable.
When sensitive information is also at play, those who want to obtain it crawl out of the woodwork and they have some pretty clever tactics to get what they want.
While your information is being protected in the digital arena, you also must keep your information guarded from your end.
Hopefully, this article will have shed some light on the potential threats, and measures that you can implement to stay safe.
Remember staying vigilant is key, and only by staying informed can you keep your wits about you and game to your heart's content in peace!
Related Pages
- List of Major E-Sport Tournaments
- e-sports at the Olympic Games — will the sport make it to the international pinnacle of sports?
- All About esports
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