Are you an avid online gamer? Do you like going on quests and treasure hunts in the virtual gaming world? Online games have seen an uptick in several years for a myriad of reasons. The pandemic, for instance, forced people to look for alternative ways to socialize and have fun.

Playing video games online is a great way to pass the time and an exciting form of entertainment. It is a pleasant way to spend your free time. It encourages teamwork and the development of unique skills. You can connect with anyone from any part of the world and become a community member. However, there are several security concerns associated with online gaming.

Common Fraud Schemes in Online Gaming

A growing number of online gamers have reported scams and fraudulent activity in many forms. Cybercriminals have formulated new ways to scam online gamers, which greatly undermines the user experience for many people.

There are several forms of online fraud. Knowing them puts you ahead of malicious players as you spend your time online. Here are some of them:

1.    Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing is a cyberattack method where hackers use compromised credentials to breach a system. If you use similar passwords and usernames across different gaming sites, you are prone to this type of scam. Compromised information such as phone numbers and addresses can be used to steal and fake your identity elsewhere.

2.    Infecting Devices with Malware

Malware gets into your device whenever you click on a malicious hyperlink or download infected attachments. These days malware can appear in many forms, including coupons and supposed mega prizes.

Once malware gets on your device, a malicious user may access your emails and passwords or remotely control your device.

3.    Fake Cheat Codes

Cheat codes are not as popular as they used to be, but they are still relevant. They are used to increase the longevity of players’ lives, bullets, buy techy goodies, or change a character’s settings. The possibilities that come with cheat codes are endless.

Most gamers have a hunger for cheat codes. Scammers dive into these opportunities to sell fake codes to unaware gamers. You can always verify a gamer’s real identity on Nuwber before buying anything from them or disclosing your financial details.

4.    Phishing

In phishing scams, a scammer tries to persuade and trick you into giving them your personal information. This comes in different ways, such as spam emails, links, or SMS.

5.    Fake Offers

Some online offers are too good to be true. They vary in many ways, but their common goal is to steal your credentials. They might present themselves in the form of unlimited downloads or free international calls with a one-off payment.

How to Avoid Falling for These Fraudsters

Online gaming fraudsters, like most cybercriminals, keep changing their tactics. However, here’s a list of safety measures you can take to reduce your chances of falling prey to their dirty schemes.

1.    Practice Privacy

Preventing identity theft should be an essential aspect when working to avoid gaming scams. Personal information is key to accessing records such as financial and medical; you name it.

Gaming sites hackers try to figure out logins, then answer security questions to reset them. When you log in to a gaming site, lock your privacy settings and use a different password for every service. Keep an eye out for people who ask for personal information from you and report them to your service provider.

2.    Create Strong Passwords

When creating a password for your gaming site, avoid using personal information like your birthdate, email address, or username. Instead, come up with something only you can figure out. Let it be unique.

To make a good login, ensure it is long, with symbols. If you have a hard time remembering passwords, use an encrypted password manager with multiple layers of security

3.    Do Not Share Financial Details Online

The following tips will help prevent your credentials from falling into the wrong hands while gaming;

• Before sharing any details, do a background check on the person enquiring. Ensure they are trustworthy.
• Before shopping for anything online, ensure that the website is secure and uses secure checkout pages.
• Make sure to review your statements to check for unauthorized transactions.
• Enable multifunctional authentication.

4.    Check the Email Sender

Phishing emails come in many forms. They usually appear in the same format as your regular emails. Some even copy tags and logos of the gaming sites you have signed up for.

Others will hide behind phishing “solutions” and offer to help you recover the money you have lost to phishing attacks. They design the scam in a way to lure you into sending them your details.

These types of emails require you to act urgently. That is often a common red flag. Other red flags include suspicious attachments, spelling errors, and inconsistencies in email addresses.

5.    Check Out for Phishing Texts

Most malicious texts have a suspicious subject line. Texts from gaming sites you have not used before asking you to confirm your information should be a concern. Also, watch out for any content that seems like clickbait and only wants to lure you into clicking on their link.

6.    Avoid Clicking Random Links

Links from hackers often lead to fake websites. These pages look real and make it hard to tell the difference. The point is to collect your confidential data or install viruses on your device.

When gaming, always do it on the official website. Look out for random links and messages when gaming and ensure you’re on a secure site with a URL starting with “https.”

7.    Secure the Computer System

This is the best way to keep away malware when gaming.

Enable a firewall on your computer. Firewall settings are automated in most computers, but it’s always good to check. Get antivirus software for your device and update the virus definitions as required.

Do not play or download any counterfeit online games or anything that’s not from the official game provider.

Conclusion

Online gaming is a great experience. New immersive technologies such as AR and VR open up a new dimension of virtual spaces unlike anything on the internet. However, a few malicious individuals or organizations are out to extort online gamers. Look out for warning signs, take the necessary precautions, and always double-check before sharing any personal information. Happy gaming!