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During the last decade, the gaming industry exploded into a mass phenomenon. It is predicted to be worth $470 billion by 2030, exceeding many expectations and silencing video game skeptics. Right now, e-sports arenas are filled with tens of thousands of fans, and events like the League of Legends finals are watched by millions all around the globe.

 

However, big money often attracts more dubious personalities. According to cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky, they detected over 5.8 million cyber attacks directed against gamers. 

 

If you want to learn about gaming safety 101, you can check out our other article on the issue. In this piece, we will focus on gaming accounts and what you can do to protect them.

Why Do You Need to Protect Your Gaming Accounts?

Remember when League of Legends or Hearthstone just launched? Millions rushed to create accounts that, at the moment, were worth pennies. Over the years, players filled them with unique skins and exclusive cards, all of which cost a few dollars to a few hundred for really rare content. Check out this neat League of Legends account worth counter to see this in practice.

 

Currently, online accounts are worth hundreds of dollars. Not to mention the time players spend gathering achievements. Cybercriminals know this value very well and develop new methods to hack them and sell on online black markets. 

 

Some gamers are unaware of easy ways to protect their online goods. If you're one of them, continue reading for best cybersecurity practices and software recommendations.

Improving Password Management

The most popular online account hacking method is Credential Stuffing. People use dozens of different online services protected by passwords. If any of those services experience a data breach, the username and password information is exposed online. For example, a prolific web browser game publisher, Armor Games, leaked 617 million user data, which included hashed passwords (encrypted password format.)

 

Let's say you had an Armor Games account and used the same credential on other services, such as Netflix and Steam. Hackers will use this information from the data leak to target your other accounts. In case they get the same login-password information, they will take over the account.

 

Cybersecurity experts recommend additional cybersecurity software to improve online account security. For example, a password manager is a handy tool for storing hundreds of different and unique passwords in an encrypted vault. It will autofill the password when required without typing it manually. This way, you don't have to remember each password by heart and can create a 60-symbol-long unhackable palace with a defensive moat.

Multi-Factor Authentication

There are three things an experienced gamer should be aware of: how to strafe jump in Quake3, heal the tank, and use multi-factor authentication (MFA).

 

Even the most secure software can get hacked, as there's no such thing as 100% secure code. Multi-Factor authentication is an extraordinarily effective method to secure your online accounts. Moreover, nearly all renowned video game platforms offer some MFA options.

 

When you turn on MFA, you can choose an additional identity verification option. For example, after logging in with a password, you will receive an email with an additional code. Even if hackers have your username and password, they cannot access your email to provide additional verification. Other MFA options include USB keys, SMS, safety question, and more.

Secure Cloud Storage

Cloud storage solutions are becoming more popular for all users. Firstly, it was used mainly by businesses to lessen their server load. However, Cloud has many more use cases, including gaming benefits.

 

Many gamers use PCs. Console users have less control over their information because their console’s Cloud manages it for them. However, you often store data on a PC in your solid-state drive. These drives are susceptible to physical damage, power outages, and theft. If you keep your saved games, screenshots, and gaming high-light videos on local storage, you might lose them in an unfortunate accident.

 

It would be best to back up the data. And one of the more comfortable backup solutions is Cloud storage. You can rent an online space to access it anytime and download your information. 

 

Remember that the Cloud service provider must ensure file safety and integrity. Make sure they apply additional encryption to safeguard your data, and you can upload it in an encrypted form.

Conclusions

The value of online gaming accounts went up from a few to several hundred dollars. It's every gamer's responsibility to take care of their safety because cybercriminals spend long hours trying to hack them.

 

Of course, you can expect safety mechanisms from the video game platform. However, it's smart to apply for some additional protection. We hope this article will help you to remain safe online and you’ll enjoy climbing your ranking ladder!

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