Tips to Ensure Maximum Safety When Playing Video Games on Mobile
The latest mobile craze is taking over the gaming industry, with research showing more than 1.7 billion mobile phone gamers worldwide. But like any booming industry, the mobile gaming sector has its fair share of challenges, especially in terms of security. These days, the biggest risks involved in mobile gaming are phishing and identity/data theft.
So, how can you protect your personal information and online gaming accounts from hackers and scammers? This post will share some proven tips and tricks to keep you safe while gaming online.
Use a Strong Password
This is perhaps the most basic internet safety tip. Usually, you’ll need to create a user profile to play most online mobile video games, meaning you must choose a solid password. Experts recommend against using your name, date of birth, pet name, and the name of your loved ones in your password. Hackers could easily find these details online on your social media account.
Below are some things to consider when setting a gaming account password:
· Use a long password with at least 12 characters.
· Use unique but memorable sentences and phrases.
· Your password should include numbers, letters, and symbol characters.
Besides these tips, always activate the two-factor authentication code on your gaming account. This ensures you’ll receive a login code on your phone before signing into the account. And yes, update your gaming password regularly.
Another thing you must not do when playing video games is sharing your personal details. Nowadays, several multiplayer games allow gamers to converse using chat systems. While this technology makes the game more engaging, always avoid the temptation of sharing your personal details.
Don’t share your account login details with anyone unless it’s a verified support agent. Even then, most video game support won’t ask for your account password and card PIN. Moreover, don’t use personal details like your name or location on your username.
Don’t Open Unknown Links or Clickbait
When playing online, you might see a link provided by another player in the chat system. These links can promise you a reward after opening them, which might seem tempting to a naïve gamer. Phishing is a common online scam that hackers could use to steal your card and personal details.
The best advice when you come across such links is don’t open it! You don’t know who is sending the link and why they are sending it. Always avoid clicking links from strangers, which could compromise your gaming accounts. This can also add a virus to your device.
Use Credit Cards Instead of Debit Cards
According to Federal Reserve research in 2018, debit cards are used twice as often as credit cards to make online purchases. But unlike debit cards, credit cards are flexible tools that allow you to purchase in-game features and pay later. This can give you a high credit score with the right habits and intentions.
That said, using credit cards to pay for online purchases is an excellent way to prevent data mining. That’s because these cards have fraud liability protections, unlike debit cards. Credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express provide $0 liability protection, EMV chips, card identification numbers, and AI-powered user authentication analysis.
Play on Reliable Platforms/Apps
The security of your online gaming account starts with playing on a safe and reliable website/app. If you’re installing a game from the App Store or Play Store, make sure to read user reviews and avoid apps that have excessively positive or negative ratings. Some of these apps have non-existent support or don’t refund subscription fees if things go wrong. This principle also applies to gambling on mobile. Let’s assume you’re planning on gambling on North Casino with your mobile phone, reading a detailed North Casino review would be the first recommended step to take. That way, you can decide whether or not the platform is safe to use on your Android/iOS device.
Update Your Mobile Phone Regularly
If you like gaming online on your phone, we advise keeping your software and hardware updated. Always check for new software updates on your phone and download it accordingly. That’s because newer updates come with advanced security patches to protect you from hackers and scammers. Purchasing a new modern phone is also an option.
But you don’t need to always check your phone if there are newer updates. Most phones nowadays would automatically download new updates and install them. Click Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates to update your iPhone software automatically.
No Shame in Disguise
You’ll likely play online with characters you don’t know. Equally, these people don’t need to know you or your personal information. As said earlier, using an alias name in your username is a wise identification move. Also, avoid using your actual photos or those of your family members in your gaming profile. Instead, go for an anime or avatar-style image, as this hides lots of your identity. There are several apps to create and download gaming avatars, with platforms like Steam and Discord providing users with free avatars.
Use Secure Internet
Last but not least, always use a secure internet connection when gaming online. While public Wi-Fi may seem like a good gaming opportunity, it’s not the best compared to your home Wi-Fi or phone data. Public Wi-Fi gives you zero control over background security, making these networks the best hiding places from hackers and other scammers. But if you must use public internet networks, use a top-rated VPN (Virtual Private Network) to hide your identity and avoid sharing personal or financial details.
Final Takeaways
Despite the numerous potential issues, playing video games on mobile phones is fun and convenient. You can even create a career from being an avid gamer. Just use the safety tips above and you’re sure to play without looking over your shoulders.
