Gaming is a huge business. Currently worth almost US$290 billion, the worldwide market for gaming is expected to reach nearly US$600 billion by 2031.
Unfortunately, wherever there is money, there are scammers.
Some fairly sophisticated scams have emerged to con gamers out of money and personal information. These days, gaming safely requires multiple methods to protect yourself. From recognizing suspicious offers to using a VPN for online games, such as NordVPN, let’s explore how you can protect yourself while gaming online.
1) Spot Fake Giveaways and Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers
We all want to save money wherever we can. But that makes it even more important to be on the lookout for scams. Often, you’ll find deals on game currency, power upgrades, cheats, or custom skins. And just as often, they turn out to be tricks.
Anytime you get an offer that seems too good to be true, you should be on your guard. Also, watch out for red flags. Beware of misspellings, fake verified accounts, and language that tries to make you feel a sense of urgency.
If you’re offered a promotion, verify it by going through an official and reputable website. For example, if Sony is making an offer, they’ll tell you about it on their website.
Never log in to your gaming accounts through third-party reward links. Logging in this way can give scammers access to your account, including payment details.
2) Lock Down Your Gaming Accounts
You can protect your account using multifactor authentication, or MFA. This method requires an extra step verification, such as a code sent to your phone, before you can log in. That way, even if someone gets your login details, they won’t have access to your account.
It’s also a good idea to use strong and unique passwords. A password manager can create passwords that are very difficult for anyone to crack without you having to memorize them.
Make sure your linked email accounts are secure. Watch for login alerts and unfamiliar devices, especially from locations you don’t recognize.
3) Avoid Phishing in Chats, DMs, and Voice Servers
Community is often part of the fun of gaming. But it’s another thing criminals can use to scam you. Be suspicious of links shared in Discord, Twitch, Steam, or other gaming platforms. Often, these will offer you tournament invites or access to new betas to tempt you to hand over your information.
Make sure you never share screenshots showing your personal info. It’s a good idea to check links by hovering over them before you click to see where they go.
Remember, not everyone online is who they seem. As AI deepfakes get more convincing, gaming chat becomes even easier for scammers to use. Have fun with gaming partners, but protect your personal data at all times.
4) Trade and Buy Safely in Marketplaces
From entire consoles and gaming systems to custom skins and verified accounts, gamers often sell things to each other. And while many of these items are genuine, some cannot be trusted.
Stick to official platforms, ideally ones that have escrow systems to protect your money. If anyone requests payment off-platform, be extremely wary.
Watch out for chargeback scams. This is where a scammer buys something you’re selling and pays with a reversible method, like PayPal or a credit card. After they receive the item from you, they will dispute the charge with their payment provider. The provider may take their side and take the money back, leaving you without your item and without payment.
Remember, digital products, once sold, can’t be returned, so it means you have to be extra careful when selling them.
5) Protect Yourself from DDoS and IP Exposure
Sometimes in competitive games, other players can see your IP address. This visibility can even lead to a DDoS attack, occurring when someone floods your connection with traffic to force lag or disconnect you.
Avoid sharing your personal details online. Use private servers wherever possible. And for added protection, use a robust VPN that’s quick enough for gaming. This encrypts your traffic, reducing the risk of targeted attacks and keeping your connection stable.
Game Safely
As fun as games are, they can expose you to risks. Whether it’s DDoS attacks, chargeback scams, or fake offers, scammers are out there trying to ruin your gaming experience.
Don’t let them.
- Use a VPN to encrypt your traffic
- Verify all the offers, especially ones that try to make you decide quickly
- Avoid sharing personal details
- Only buy and sell through official platforms
Follow these steps and continue having fun gaming without putting your personal data at risk.