(Last Updated On: December 19, 2022)

SCARSSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS.™ Guide: Safe Online Gaming For Families And Individuals

Online Gaming Is As Dangerous As Online Dating

Here is how to enjoy online gaming securely by following just a few simple tips

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Many People Love Playing Games Online. In Fact, An Estimated 1.2 Billion Of Us Are Regularly Logging On, Signing Up And Playing Online.

More than 1.2 billion people are playing games: https://venturebeat.com/2013/11/25/more-than-1-2-billion-people-are-playing-games/

Unfortunately, whenever money or personal data is changing hands online, criminals can be watching, looking for some way to turn the situation to their advantage.

The advice outlined below is intended to help safeguard you and your personal data when gaming. Whether you use a PC, console, phone or tablet, these steps will help prevent you from falling victim to a criminalCriminal A criminal is any person who through a decision or act engages in a crime. This can be complicated, as many people break laws unknowingly, however, in our context, it is a person who makes a decision to engage in unlawful acts or to place themselves with others who do this. A criminal always has the ability to decide not to break the law, or if they initially engage in crime to stop doing it, but instead continues.. This will leave you free to focus on enjoying the game.

1. Secure Your Gaming Devices And Your WiFi

The majority of cyber attacks exploit publicly known weaknesses in devices and software. Keeping your software up to date will help to prevent these attacks from being successful.

Keep operating systems, and other software up to date. The easiest way to do this is to turn on automatic updates if you can.

Where possible, adding another layer of defense to your devices in the form of antivirus software is a sensible precaution. This should also be kept up to date.

2. Always Protect Your Online Gaming Account

Your gaming account (or accounts) should be well protected with a strong password, ideally, one which you don’t re-use on other accounts. You should also turn on two-factor authentication if available which will provide you with an extra layer of protection to prevent someone from hacking into your account.

3. Protect Your Privacy Online Always

Try to keep the information that you share online to a minimum. Apply privacy settings to ensure your personal data isn’t visible to other players, and do not give out personal information to other players, ‘in-game’.

When disposing of your old game consoles and other devices, make sure you delete all your personal data and account details.

4. Use Official Sources (App Stores) Or Stores

Whatever device you are using to play games, you should always attempt to verify the source of anything you install. The easiest way to do this is to use official sources and stores.

Cyber attackers often attempt to circumvent in-game security measures by persuading you to do something outside of the game itself. For example, a player you don’t know may suggest that you install an ‘upgrade’ and supply a link for the download. The offer could also come in the form of a well-crafted phishing email, promising some kind of freebie related to a game you enjoy.

By relying on the official sources for all your software you are much less likely to accidentally install malwareMalware Short for "malicious software," this term means computer viruses and other types of programs that cybercriminals use to disrupt or access your computer, typically with the aim of gathering sensitive files and accounts. on your computer, tablet or another device.

Protecting younger players

For those with younger family members to think about, online gaming can be a concern. From cyberbullyingCyberbullying Cyberbullying or cyberharassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyberbullying and cyber harassment are also known as online bullying. It has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, as the digital universe has expanded and technology has advanced. Cyberbullying is when someone bullies or harasses others on the internet and other digital spaces, particularly on social media sites. Harmful bullying behavior can include posting rumors, threats, sexual remarks, a victims' personal information (Doxing), or pejorative labels (i.e. hate speech). Bullying or harassment can be identified by repeated behavior and an intent to emotional harm. Victims of cyberbullying may experience lower self-esteem, increased suicidal ideation, and various negative emotional responses, including being scared, frustrated, angry, depressed, or PTSD. to excessive time spent playing games, to unscrupulous games which encourage children to pay for content.

Resources:

Here are some useful external links to sources of information:

• The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Kids Safe Online With Parental Controls (www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/online-safety-parental-controls)
• Gaming: What parents and carers need to know (www.thinkuknow.co.uk)
• Online gaming safety tips for parents (www.internetmatters.org)
• Buying a games console for your child (www.internetmatters.org)
• Review of sites, appsApps Applications or Apps An application (software), commonly referred to as an ‘app’ is a program on a computer, tablet, mobile phone or device. Apps are designed for specific tasks, including checking the weather, accessing the internet, looking at photos, playing media, mobile banking, etc. Many apps can access the internet if needed and can be downloaded (used) either for a price or for free. Apps are a major point of vulnerability on all devices. Some are designed to be malicious, such as logging keystrokes or activity, and others can even transport malware. Always be careful about any app you are thinking about installing. and games (www.net-aware.org.uk)
• Online gaming | Childline
• Online Gaming | Get Safe Online
• Online Gaming 101 – Internet Safety 101
• Gaming – Stay Safe Online

Portions courtesy of the National Cyber Security Centre, U.K. GCHQ

 

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SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.

 

WOULD YOU HELP US HELP SCAMScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. VICTIMS?

 

TAGS: SCARS, Important Article, Information About ScamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost., Anti-Scam, National Cyber Security Centre, U.K. GCHQ, SCARS Guide, Safe Online Gaming, For Families And Individuals, Online Gaming, Dangerous As Online Dating

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