Scams Related to Online Games in Light of the Spread of the Corona-virus: Ways to Protect You and Your Family

Despite the economic turmoil caused by the Coronavirus, the global video game industry is booming. As real contact between people is reduced to a minimum due to social distancing and people being encouraged to stay at home, people find they are breathing in virtual worlds away from the real crisis. Video game sales in the United States in March achieved their highest level in more than a decade, and game giants in various categories recorded major increases in user numbers!

But the increase in audience interaction has highlighted the dangers of online games as coronavirus-disguised fraudsters seek to exploit the situation. And since online games include in-game currencies and purchases as well as real currencies in wallets, they have become a valuable target for fraudsters.

Young people may be less aware of the risks and thus are more vulnerable to them. To understand the risks of online games and ways to keep you and your family safe, please keep reading this article.

The risks of online games

For most users, online games are a harmless activity, but there are real risks, here is an overview of some of them:

Addiction

This happens when online games exceed the limit of fun and turn into an obsession that takes up a large amount of time for those who play it!

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying occurs when a teenager or younger child uses a computer to threaten, humiliate, or harass a relative in any other way, and this can be done in multiplayer games on the Internet through connected devices, such as Xbox Live and others.

The risk of losing money

Coins and in-game purchases (as well as real money stored in wallets) are a catch for scammers.

Malicious software

Sometimes a user needs to download a software plug-in to run a specific game, and they may then be redirected to other sites where malware can harm the user's device security and privacy. Also, viruses may be included in the game files that the user may allow downloading to the system without knowing it during the installation.

Privacy issues

By collecting data from games and other sources, hackers may gain access to other accounts of you, such as your social media accounts, create new accounts in your name, and even create full digital IDs in your name!

Undisclosed fees

Some online games use the "free subscription" model, which means that they give you some content for free; however, you will have to pay to access the full game's features and functions. In some cases, these games require the user to include credit card information in his game profile, and then fees are automatically paid through the card whenever the user purchases new items or services.

Examples of gaming scams taking advantage of the Coronavirus

Most of the fraud related to online games are simply reused copies of previous scams, but their frequency has increased due to the increase in the number of Internet users during the Corona pandemic.

Here are some examples of common online gaming scams:

Direct players to third-party websites

These sites look like real websites, where users can purchase additional components such as new clothes, weapons, or abilities, or purchase a way to generate coins online to use in the game. In reality, however, they are bogus sites that trick users into making transactions for purchases or rewards that they will never receive.

Targeting players' IP addresses

An IP address is a unique location on the Internet for every user; Once the attackers manage to obtain your IP address, they can discover your real address, full name, and other sensitive information about you! Using these details, hackers can carry out attacks to steal your financial and game account information.

Phishing

This is a gaming version of the well-known phishing crime where the user is tricked into revealing their account details. The fraudsters send an email to the player informing them that they need to confirm their password and login information. If the player clicks on the link in the email, they are taken to a fake login page that asks them to enter the current password and username, and then the player's account information is stolen.

Fake mobile versions of popular online games

Once these bogus apps are downloaded, they install malware on victims' phones or computers. Fraudsters use malware to obtain online account details for players, such as those used to access online offers on video game platforms and popular game consoles. Then criminals use those details to steal sensitive information from the user, such as credit card information, home address, and phone numbers.

Targeting children

An example of this is when cybercriminals weave their nets around children through voice chat in the game and demand that they pay for things in the game for the criminals, which is usually done using their parents' credit cards. Sometimes, these fraudsters persuade children to reveal their login details or open a link that they send to gain access to the child's account. Once the criminal gets the information, he can steal virtual balances, online currencies, or even real money in e-wallets. Then it is possible to sell virtual currencies and stolen accounts on the dark web, thus the criminal reaps an insignificant amount of real money while emptying electronic wallets of their money!

How to stay safe and protect yourself from online gaming scams

One way to stay safe is to use a VPN app. This acronym stands for Virtual Private Network, that is, a virtual private network, which makes your personal Internet connection shrouded in privacy by showing it as a network from a different location (either from another country or your own country). VPN apps are easy to install, require little preparation to use, and their benefits include:

Increased protection against various types of attacks, such as denial of service (DDoS), which can be used against opponents in online games, especially in competitive games.

More security when performing data or banking transactions as VPN apps gives you an untraceable connection.

VPN software is available for Mac, Android, Apple iOS, and PC, and we offer VPN Secure Connection that can be installed on many different devices and operating systems.

You can find some free VPN apps as well, but they usually set restrictions on traffic, and may not give you complete protection. Before choosing a VPN app, read the terms of service to make sure you know what they include, including the privacy policy that applies. Keep in mind that some VPN services claim to protect you from malware and phishing sites, but in reality, they do not provide the same level of protection as standalone antivirus software. So it is best to have both at the same time.

7 tips for playing online games safely

Only use the official websites to make any in-game purchases. Also, do not click on links that redirect you to third-party websites.

Do not respond to e-mails or direct messages that ask you about your banking, financial or personal information, even if those messages appear to be coming from the gaming platform, as real companies and institutions do not request information via messages.

Do not share personal information, identifying data, or account information online. Do not share login credentials with friends.

Use a strong password to enter the game. A strong password is a difficult word to guess, and it consists of a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers and symbols. Avoid using one password on different accounts.

Use two-factor authentication, and this means that you - and anyone else trying to access your account - will need two identifying elements to log into your site, usually your password and your phone number. What you usually do is you enter the password to log into your gaming account, and then your account sends a code to your smartphone, email, or using an authenticator app. This code must be entered before you can access the gaming account, and this additional step will make it more difficult to hack your accounts.

Do not click on any links asking for password confirmation. What you need to do is delete any emails asking you to update your login information.

Avoid using debit cards for purchases; Credit cards offer more security protections and are not linked to an account with specific funds.

Online games: How to keep children safe

Consider using parental controls. Whatever device your kids use, there will be settings that let you know how they interact with other players, such as only communicating with existing friends.

You can also set game time limits using the same parental controls. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with these settings before your child is playing. Encourage your child to take regular breaks away from the machine.

Check the game content - most games have an age rating based on the game theme, games with violent or sexual content will be for an older age group. Check that rating to determine whether or not the game is suitable for your child. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) can be used to verify this.

Consider having the play sessions take place in a shared location with family members so that you can see what is happening.

Ensure that the username chosen for your child does not reveal any personal information. If the game has the option to create a personal profile, make sure your child does not reveal any personal details, such as his name, age, location, school, financial information, or account passwords.

Make sure your child uses a certified version of the games, which was downloaded from a secure source and you have a license to use it. Educate children about the dangers of illegal file sharing and downloading sites, which carry a high risk of containing malware. Also, remind them that pirated copies of games may also contain malware.

Introduce your child to how to report the bad behavior. Also explain how to report or block players if necessary, on Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Steam, or whatever platform they play on.

Read the game's terms and conditions - to check, for example, for any undisclosed fees. Learn how the game publisher deals with bad behavior or objectionable content.

Talk to your child; Discuss with him regularly how to keep him safe on the Internet. Sit down with him and agree on what games to play, and help him understand why others might be lining up other than what is shown online. Talk to him about what is true and what is not true while playing online. 

Join your kids playing online from time to time and every now and then This will give you an idea of ​​the games he is playing and the people he is communicating with.

Make sure you have an up-to-date anti-virus program running. A product like Antivirus protects your computer and blocks viruses and malware in real-time.

Safety Tips for Online Games ”

What to do if you are a victim of online gaming fraud?

If you or someone you know is a victim of online gaming fraud:

You can submit a detailed report on the game's support page.

You must contact your credit or debit card institution to dispute the fees.

If you have given the fraudsters personal information, it is recommended that you change all passwords, whatever they are, including those used on social media.

You can report fraud to your local consumer rights protection authority. For example: In the UK, you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau, and in Australia, you can report any fraud to the Australian Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

If a fraudster is threatening you, you should contact your local police department.

If you are a parent and are concerned about the safety of your children, you should install Safe Kids, it is designed to help you protect your children on the Internet, it also includes an application to install on your child's device, as well as an application on your phone that allows you to see reports and customize settings, it also allows you to manage access To inappropriate games and applications.

Despite the risks we outlined, it is important to maintain social contact during this period of physical distancing, and online video games provide us with an opportunity to do so. Just remember to be on the lookout for gaming fraud during the coronavirus outbreak, to install cybersecurity software on all your devices, and to play it safe.