Most Common Cybersecurity Risks in the Gaming Industry

Online gaming continues to dominate the center stage as it gains recognition all over the globe. Recently, SEA Games included E-Sport as an official category in the Olympics.

With the recent boom, it is safe to assume that the gaming industry generates vast sums of money in just a few years. There is no wonder why unethical hackers persevere in infiltrating the industry’s security defenses.

According with professional game security company Cyrextech, in early 2019. This article will dig deeper into the widespread risks to help you manage expectations for the most unwanted situation. The ongoing demand of bitcoins or other crypto currencies led the gamers and gaming cafes install a high tech network detection and response NDR at their premises so as to safeguard all gamers and their virtual assets.

Data Theft

Since online and mobile games accumulate comprehensive data on their subscribers, hackers prioritize targeting the players’ accounts. Once gamers personalize provided data, it becomes more valuable to hackers since online games often pursue confidential information such as location, media involvement, and even mobile calls. Moreover, with every purchase of monthly subscriptions for additional features, gamers often utilize bank accounts. Unfortunately, its information is part of the gathered data. In a nutshell, hackers can personally cause damage to every player’s privacy and financial assets instantly.

Frail Validation Processes

One of the usual issues gamers struggle with is the mismanagement of passwords. It is no secret that an average gamer needs to sustain multiple accounts for publishers, distribution platforms, and the actual games themselves. Distribution platforms such as Origin and Steam ask for an account; game producers, including Rockstar and Epic Games, do the same. In other words, most multiplayer online games require a password to function individually.

As a result, gamers forcibly need to recall and manage tons of passwords which compromises older games as they no longer experience an update for years. Unintentionally, some games help hackers in different ways; the simplest is to reveal a player’s username. This scenario may sound shallow, but it gives data thieves a chance to try usual or default passwords together with the seen username. What is even more favorable to intruders is having the freedom to see the players’ standing or scores that divulge their usernames and choose who is to target primarily.

Phishing

Professional players in the industry are the primary victims of phishing campaigns. This attack is more than typical fraudulent emails used to steal login credentials. One recurring technique is putting up an imitated login page or sending hoax messages through chat services. Furthermore, phishers get to have more alternatives compared to other areas. Once a phishing attempt is successful, it may not guarantee complete access to the player’s account; however, the phisher can still acquire vital information and valuable items from their account.

Weak Security Features Of Some Games And Platforms

Players depend on secured software or applications as much as they believe in their capacity to detect future threats. Although most attacks occur through malicious and experienced intruders, we cannot disregard the fact that game companies sometimes have lapses on their end.

In the Cyber Security terms, the gaming consoles, mobile devices, PCs etc. are called Endpoints; and the Endpoint security is essentials for flawless gaming experience without worrying about any cyber threats. Sangfor Technologies provides Endpoint security solutions.  Usually, established brands under-estimate the dire need for an unmatched network security solution; but that’s unavoidable in 2021 when the cyber attacks are quite often.

A good example is a shortfall in the Fortnite verification process that came up in January 2018. The URL for login became defenseless to a redirect attack since validation took place carelessly.

As part of the gaming community, any player, developer, or host, can be the next victim of these malicious attacks. Luckily, there are worthwhile investing solutions both newbies and stalwarts can look into, such as AI-powered threat detection and response systems that improve through time. These tools analyze the data gathered from every thwarted threat, making it more reliable as it exposes itself to different cyber-attacks.

Undoubtedly, gaming is fun, but not until you experience such issues that nobody wants to. Always remember not to let anybody ruin your game!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Geek Vibes Nation. This article is for educational purposes only.