As video games have grown more sophisticated since the days of Pong or the original Zork, so have the methods cybercriminals and data thieves have evolved.

The dirty little secret of the cybersecurity world is that no data is 100% safe. Some of the smartest brains on the planet have been working out ways to build tamper-proof forms of computer security, but at best, they’ve only managed to stay a step or two ahead of those who would seek to profit off your stolen information.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you should unplug everything and go live in a distant cabin in Alaska. Heck, no. It gets cold up there.

What it does mean, however, is understanding that any online activity carries with it a sense of risk and taking sensible steps to minimize said risk. This is true whether you’re talking about your bank account or medical information, or your Warcraft or Xbox account.

Your cybersecurity cheat sheet

If anything, gamers need to be more aware of the needs of cybersecurity than most. For one, they’re online a lot. That’s just how gaming works these days. Second, cybersecurity isn’t sexy. It’s often not part of the development or programming teams that put together a game. When cybersecurity is addressed, it’s commonly addressed as an add-on before going to market. By that point, all the security-hole-ridden gaming software has been completed and locked in.

If you’re lucky, you’ll see a patch eventually, but not right away.

In any case, as you would with any other online interaction, it’s smart to take some simple, sensible steps to lessen the chances that data thieves will scoop up your personal information and sell it, leaving you open to identity theft and fraud.

Here are some of those simple, sensible steps you can take:

• Most gaming accounts don’t verify or require truthful information when being filled out. So long as it doesn’t interfere with your ability to game, you can enter whatever information you’d like to throw off potential data thieves. This includes name, birth date, and address. At most, you may need to be able to recall these details later to verify your account, so write them down someplace. Otherwise, don’t feel too obligated to provide accurate and revealing information.
• Enable two-factor authentication whenever presented with the option.
• Avoid linking your credit card information to your gaming account unless you plan on purchasing in-game items. Look for alternatives to pay for subscriptions with gift cards or other forms of payment. If you need to give your card information online, see if your card provider has any verification services for online transactions.
• Instead of using your primary email address, use a separate email account reserved for game registration. This way, data thieves do not have access to any contact info or verification details from your primary email.
• Before entering any sensitive information, confirm that you’re at an official site for your game or gaming service. If any links or graphics look wrong, reconsider your actions.
• Whenever possible, set up some dependable security software that can catch spam, malware, and phishing links before they can wreak havoc.
• Understand that when you connect a console to your home network, you open up another portal through which cybercriminals can snoop or gain access to your system, or other systems on your network.
• Change your passwords regularly. Always keep them guessing.

Other things you could look into are VPNs (very private networks), encryption, and firewall protection. Some of these are available through our internet service provider. Others, you may have to do a bit of hunting for further information.

It’d be worth it.

Outlasting the aggro

As I mentioned, oftentimes the best thing we can do is stay a couple of steps ahead of the game.

Don’t let cybercreeps ruin your fun. With proper precautions, you can drastically reduce the risk of becoming another cyber-breach statistic. There has never been a better time to be a gamer, but you need to accept that it’s not without its own unique troubles.

Just a little preparation and forethought is all you need.