Internet Under Fire: Preventing Cyber Attacks While Gaming Online

According to surveys, there are an estimated 2.5 billion active online gamers across the world. Popular online game titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, and World of Warcraft have tens of millions of active monthly users. The global online gaming market is estimated to be worth over $150 billion.

Gamers can be particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks because gaming accounts often hold valuable virtual items and personal information. 

Warning Signs of a Hacked Gaming Account

Unusual Logins From Other Locations

One of the biggest indicators of a compromised account is noticing logins from unknown locations that don't match where you normally play from. Many games will show recent login locations and IP addresses, so review this information regularly. Logins from countries you've never visited or distant cities can be a red flag.

Unknown Transactions or Missing Items

If your account balance or in-game items start depleting without explanation, your account may be hacked. Watch for unknown purchases or trading of rare items you didn't authorize. The faster you can identify fraudulent transactions, the better chance you have of recovering lost items or currency.

Getting Kicked Offline During Play

Some hackers will log into a compromised account while the rightful owner is still playing a game. This can abruptly kick you offline or out of the game unexpectedly. If this keeps happening without explanation, it may point to an intruder accessing your account simultaneously.

Account Emails/Passwords Changed

One clear sign your account has been taken over is if login credentials like username or password no longer work, or account recovery emails to your address start bouncing back. This indicates the hacker has seized control and changed account contact info to lock you out. Immediately contact the game provider for help recovering your account if this happens.

Staying Secure While Gaming Online

Online gaming provides endless entertainment, challenges, and a way to connect with friends. However, as with any online activity, gamers need to take steps to protect their accounts, information, and privacy.

Here are key tips to stay secure while enjoying online games:

1.Use strong, unique passwords for each gaming account and enable two-factor authentication if available. Don't share login credentials.

2.Be selective when connecting with strangers or joining online groups. Limit sharing personal information.

3.Use a VPN to mask your IP address and location when gaming. Choose a reputable VPN designed for gaming.

4.Keep gaming software, apps, and devices updated with the latest security patches. Don't click suspicious links.

5.Monitor accounts closely for any unauthorized changes or activity. Enable login notifications if possible.

6.If your account is hacked, contact the game provider immediately and reset your password. Run antivirus scans.

Using a VPN for Online Gaming

A VPN is an essential tool for staying safe and secure while gaming online. VPNs work by encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through remote servers, hiding your real IP address and location.

There are several key benefits of using a VPN for gaming:

1.Bypasses regional restrictions: Many games have region-locked content and servers. A VPN allows you to spoof your location so you can access games and content restricted to certain countries.

2.Enhances privacy and anonymity: Your true identity remains hidden from snoopers on public WiFi networks. VPN encryption protects your data from getting intercepted.

3.Improves connection speed: VPNs route your traffic through optimized servers, which can reduce lag and latency issues in games.

Conclusion

Taking precautions and be careful about where you click and download from to avoid malware infections.  With good security habits, you can enjoy your favorite games online while reducing your risk of getting hacked.

With Turbo VPN, you can game safely and access more content. The encryption and anonymity make it much harder for cybercriminals to attack or track you.