It is undeniable that the gaming industry has become bigger in recent years. In terms of revenue, it is of considerable growth that it will be worth $522 billion by the end of 2025. Accordingly, if it remains its upward momentum, it is projected to have a revenue of $733 billion by 2030.
With this continuous growth, it is to be expected that stakeholders and game developers will continue to adopt innovations to make gaming even more enjoyable. While it is important to focus all efforts in improving gaming experience, stakeholders and game developers must also remember to also invest in cyber awareness and cybersecurity.
As such, some of the gaming platforms are adopting cybersecurity protection and implementing robust measures to safeguard every gamer’s user data and enhance their overall their gaming safety. However, despite the measures adopted by the platforms, there are still ways gamers get targeted by cyber attacks. Therefore, it is essential for gamers to be vigilant and proactive in protecting their personal and financial information.
Below, let us explore the importance of cyber awareness and the role of cybersecurity in gaming and the various ways gamers should adopt to keep their gaming accounts secure across multiple platforms.
Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness and The Role of Cybersecurity In Gaming
As the gaming industry continues to grow, it is not only stakeholders and aspiring game developers that see opportunity. Cyber criminals also see the vast amount of opportunities for exploitation. Why?
With the number of rising gamers within the industry, this meant that online gaming platforms are also handling a rising number of sensitive information, from payment details, login credentials, and personal information of gamers. Due to the amount of valuable information, this meant online gaming platforms have become increasingly the primary targets for cyber threats.
As such, online gaming platforms adopting innovative means and methods to protect data is not enough as gamers themselves must also do their part to ensure their information is safe and secure. Accordingly, gamers have to be aware of cybersecurity measures and implement their own best practices. Awareness in cybersecurity is crucial as it prepares gamers to identify and address cyber threats more accurately. When one knows what type of cyber threat there is, they get to reduce the impact from said threat.
Of course, it is not enough to be just aware of cybersecurity measures, it is also important to adopt their own measures to ensure they are gaming with only the most secure and efficient gaming platforms. As such, this has been the trend among gamers in technologically developed countries. A prime example would be the measures Canadian gamers take, where they go for Canadian-approved top casinos with Interac to ensure that every transaction they make in and out of their gaming accounts is both safe and efficient. In doing so, they not only enhance their overall gaming experience, but they also get to calm their minds knowing their personal and financial information is protected.
Ways To Keep Your Gaming Accounts Secure Across Multiple Platforms
While it has been established that cyber awareness is a critical component in a gamer’s life and that it is necessary to adopt your own cybersecurity measures, it is time to explore the various ways you can keep your gaming accounts secure across multiple platforms.
- Keep Software and Mobile Devices Updated
Among the often recommended cybersecurity measures, the easiest one that every gamer can do is to keep their gaming software and their mobile devices updated.
Gaming platforms as well as computer devices often release software updates to provide security patches and upgrade protection for vulnerabilities. As such, make sure that your consoles, mobile devices, and the online games that you play are running on their latest versions.
- Consider Using Secure Networks
Aside from consistently updating your devices and the version of games that you play, it is also important to consider gaming in secure networks. One can do so by avoiding using public or unsecured networks especially when they game you play involves real money.
You can also try using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your connection and protect your data.
- Be Wary of Phishing Scams
Lastly, gamers should be wary of phishing scams.
Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts often done by cybercriminals to obtain information by masquerading as a trustworthy transaction or communication. They often do so either through email or through the share of links.
In the gaming industry, gamers are often targeted with emails or messages claiming to offer free in game items or warning of game account issues that seemingly require immediate attention. To protect yourself from these phishing scams, make sure that you double check the URLs and the email addresses you receive. Make sure that you are only entertaining emails from official accounts with correct email spellings. Also, when you actually receive a suspicious email from a gaming platform you just played in, make sure to notify the gaming platform and never take matters into your own hands.
