The Need for Cyber Security in Online Gaming

Current research shows that cybercrimes within the gaming industry spiked over 340% over 20221.

A content delivery network Akamai stated that the gaming industry had been the biggest victim of online cyber-attacks over the last few years.

Akamai reported that since 2018, the company has observed over a 415% increase in online attacks within the gaming industry.

In 2020, Akamai said there were 240 million attacks, a rise of 340% from the number of attacks in 2019.

Other web-based industries only saw a 2% increase in cyber-attacks.

Types of Cyber-attacks the Gaming Industry is Experiencing

Gamers became easy targets for hackers during and after the pandemic due to the massive popularity of online games.

Online games such as MMOs became increasingly popular as a tool to escape the confines of gamers’ apartments and for socialization when in-person socialization was prohibited.

Hackers deployed various malicious cyber-attacks on gamers and gaming companies to gain personal information and access users’ credentials for monetary gain.

Data Theft

Any breach in cyber security is linked to data theft. Every cyberattack includes data theft or data manipulation.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is the most common issue related to Cybersecurity that the online gaming industry and gamers currently face.

Phishing

Phishing attacks differ from traditional cyber-attacks as they make use emails to create emails that look legitimate but lead to fake login pages used to capture login details.

Malware Attacks

Malware attacks can disrupt entire gaming records and steal gaming data without the game developer or gamer being aware that malware attacks are targeting them.

Why is there a Need for an Increase in Cyber Security?

Nearly one million compromised personal online accounts provide internal access to video game companies for sale on the dark web forums. Online security companies say that the online gaming industry is a high-value target for cybercriminals.

The online gaming industry is estimated to reach just over $200 billion by 2022, making the industry an extremely lucrative industry to exploit. Unfortunately, many areas in the online gaming industry don’t prioritize online security.

What can Gamers do to keep safe?

Cyberthreats may cause distress. Online gamers have a few ways of protecting themselves from cybercriminals.

Making Use of VPNs

VPNs or virtual private networks are the ideal tools gamers can use to help protect and mask their sensitive information.

When a VPN is used, it obscures the user’s location, history, activity, IP address, and digital devices, making it extremely hard for hackers to gain any information. VPNs are an excellent defense against identity theft attacks.

Using Secure and Encrypted Websites and Platforms

Both the gaming and iGaming industries use security measures such as encryption and SSL certificates to protect their users from hackers.

The most common encryption protocol used is Secure Socket Layer or SSL. SSL encrypts user data during transmission to prevent other parties from accessing and stealing the user’s private information. An example of this can be seen in William Hill, one of the top casinos which offer free spins no deposit bonuses is secured by 128-bit SSL encryption technology.

Antivirus Software

Online gamers can use antivirus software to scan for known viruses and, with users, permission to remove the virus software from the infected device. Antivirus software removes indicted files and can be used to schedule regular scans, and some antivirus software offers real-time online protection when browsing the internet or completing online transactions.

Conclusion

The treats of online cyberattacks are increasing every year; however, with the correct use of VPNs, antivirus software, and secure encrypted websites with SSL certificates. Gamers can protect their information and enjoy the online world.