Online gaming is becoming more popular all of the time. We play casual games while we’re waiting for a friend or an appointment, we play family games with people we don’t see as often as we’d like to, and we play games to win money. Some of us even play in more serious or professional tournaments online, making careers from online gaming.
There are many advantages to playing games online, casual or not. But there are also risks. When we spend time online, whatever we are doing, there are data protection risks. People have their data stolen and exploited all of the time. Cybercriminals use data to steal identities, to steal money and to otherwise defraud innocent internet uses. Gaming carries additional risks, as we might need to enter financial information online or share more than we intended to while enjoying the games.
Protecting your personal data while you are playing online games is crucial. Most of the time, it’s a case of using your common sense and judgement. However, there are some extra protections too. Here’s a look at some of the best ways to protect your personal data when online gaming.
Use Trusted Sites
Some gaming sites are better than others. Make sure any sites that you use have HTTPS addresses, with an added security certificate, instead of just HTTP. Then, use sites that you trust, have researched, and have been safe with in the past. Read this editorial about free spins and try sites that will let you play for free, without having to enter any of your financial details.
Don’t Assume Private or Incognito Browsing is Safe
There are some advantages to using a private or incognito window on your browser. These windows will stop cookies from being placed on your computer, and act as though you aren’t logged into any sites or accounts. It’s like using a computer without any web history, but it doesn’t stop your data from being collected by other machines.
Avoid Tracking
All of the more popular internet browsers have an option in their settings to prevent tracking. Enable the ‘do not track’ or ‘don’t allow tracking’ option in your browser settings, and websites won’t be able to track your movements through cookies.
Update Regularly
How many times have you clicked the ‘update later’ button, or just closed down those windows telling you that you need to update your software, browser or security? Most of us have done it, but these updates are so important.
If you’ve got any additional security software installed on your computers or devices, this needs to be up to date to be effective. Your computer software should also be updated regularly. Even those updates that seemingly have nothing to do with security or your browser, many contain small, but crucial patches to offer extra protection and keep you safe. Turn on auto-update alerts, and never skip them.
Read Those Privacy Policies
Every website and app should have a privacy policy. If the site you are using hasn’t, that’s a red flag that it isn’t going to look after your data. Read these policies, check for any information on how your data is going to be used or shared, and email the website owner or manager if you have any questions or concerns.
Use Strong Passwords
Your password is your first line of defence from cybercriminals and scammers. It’s the element of your security that you have complete and easy control of. Yet most of us are still using the same password for everything, and have been for many years. Use strong passwords, even if it means using an app, or the software on your computer, to help you set and remember them.
Share as Little as Possible About Your Life
The more information you give out online – whether when you are gaming, in attached chat rooms, in verbal communications via a headset, or on social media – the easier you make it for people to take advantage of you, and to steal even more of your data.
Even small throw away comments about your personal life can give an opportunist a way in. Be careful what you say, and be aware that if you make a comment in a public forum, you’ll be giving more people access to that information, both now and in the future. Only share information with people that you trust, and only do it via one-on-one conversations.
Use a VPN
A VPN gives you a private connection to the internet, turning your public connection into a private network. This allows you to browse anonymously and gives you much great privacy online. The internet is becoming more advanced.
The games we play online certainly aren’t what they were 10, or even two years ago. Unfortunately, these advancements have also led to a growth in cybercrime and data theft. Be more careful online, stay safe and sensible, and you should still be able to enjoy gaming safely.
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