If you’re living in 2024 you are either a part of an online gaming community or you know someone who is. Online gaming has become an integral part of everyday lives, offering entertainment, social interaction, and competitive challenges. However, like any online activity, it comes with risks. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the essential safety measures to ensure a secure and enjoyable gaming experience in 2024.
Types Of Online Games
The online gaming world encompasses a wide variety of genres, each offering unique experiences. We’ll explore a few of these genres here:
- Casino Games: Online casino games provide a virtual gambling experience for bettors. Players can access safe online casinos along with their favorite games at the tips of their fingers. Nick Pappas shares that players should never join an online casino they cannot trust and should opt for sites that are licensed, use encryption tech, and offer secure banking options. Online casinos are varied in nature, offering something for everyone. Some of the popular online casino games include slot games, table games, video poker, live dealer games, jackpot games, virtual sports betting, and arcade-style games.
- Action Games: These games are made to emphasize physical challenges that require hand-eye coordination and motor skills. A few of these are very popular, including Fortnite, Halo Infinite, and Call of Duty: Warzone.
- Role-Playing Games (RPGs): RPGs are very popular today. They allow players to assume roles, explore rich narratives, and develop characters. Players would recognize games like The Elder Scrolls V, World of Warcraft, and The Witcher 3.
- Simulation and Sports Games: These games simulate real-world activities, such as driving, flying, or managing sports teams. A lot of them grew popular in the 2010s and have simply grown in popularity with a steady fan base. They include FIFA, and The Sims.
Possible Dangers of Online Gaming
Before diving into safety tips, it is important to understand that there are potential risks associated with any type of online gaming, from video games to casino games. While it is safe to play sometimes, there are always risks involved in some games, especially when players can interact. Here’s what to look out for:
- Bullying: Harassment from other players can be distressing. In 2022, a staggering 86% of gamers reported experiencing harassment while playing online. Players online are unfiltered, and they are willing to say anything to get their opponents to lose. Younger gamers or newbies who are a little oversensitive might suffer emotionally and psychologically.
- Malware: Hackers usually target gamers who are always online by luring them in through their curiosity. Threats such as malicious software (malware) usually target gamers. Players need to be cautious about downloading files or clicking suspicious links.
- Identity Theft: Many people have woken up to a call from the bank letting them know that their account has been emptied by someone using their name. Identity theft is real. Gamers need to create a habit of guarding their personal information closely. Cybercriminals usually attempt to steal data like your full name, your banking information, your identity number, and many other details they can use to successfully steal your identity.
- Account Theft: Cybercriminals also seek to steal your account. They could try to steal your gaming account to gain access to your hard-earned prizes and equipment. They could also try to gain access to your email accounts and your social media, where they may compromise your integrity in many different ways. When gaming online, always protect your online accounts with a strong password or two-factor authentication. Weak passwords or sharing credentials can lead to unauthorized access.
How Gamers Can Protect Themselves
Despite the seeming immensity of the risks involved, there are ways that online gamers can protect themselves against the darker side of gaming. Not everyone falls into the online traps and here’s why:
- Strong Passwords: Avoid guessable passwords like your name or favorite sports team. Each account should have a unique, strong password. Consider using a password manager for convenience and security. When gambling or gaming, try to use an alias, making sure it isn’t connected to your age or date of birth.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Players should consider enabling MFA whenever they can. MFA adds an additional layer of security by asking users for a code in addition to their username and password.
- Verified Game Downloads: Only download games from trusted sources. Avoid pirated versions or suspicious links.
- Personal Information: Keep your personal details private. Don’t share sensitive information with other players online. It’s easy to get carried away and reveal personal details when you talk to other players online, but remember, it could be anyone capable of anything. Furthermore, do not save your personal information on your device for autofilling. If anything goes wrong, hackers can access that information and use it against you.
- Beware of Phishing: Be cautious when receiving messages or emails related to gaming. Cybercriminals tend to make very compelling gambling or video game ads, luring players in with the promise of bigger payouts or better equipment. Always verify their authenticity before clicking any links.
- Secure Payment Methods: It is much safer to use credit cards for in-game purchases. They offer better protection than other payment methods. Don’t leave your credit card and CVV number saved on your device, as hackers can get that information easily. Don’t share your card number with players online, even if it’s to be kind and surprise a “good friend.”
- Report Bullies: If you encounter abusive behavior, always report it to the game administrators. Online casinos and video games have very strict rules on in-game conduct, and your report may help many others suffering the same abuse from that player. Your reports will always be anonymous, and they will never find out it was you.
- Privacy and Security Settings: Make sure that you configure your game settings to enhance privacy and security. Select the strictest security settings, disabling others from seeing anything that might reveal who you are, like an email or phone number.
