n recent years, the online gaming community has grown constantly. Extending its reach and moving beyond gaming on personal computers (pcs) to incorporate smart gadgets. In a recent poll on Trend Micro Malaysia’s Facebook page, 75 per cent of respondents claimed they play online games. Of them, 41% play games at least 2 times a week. And 55% are social media gamers that include social networking into their gaming experience.
According to Trend Micro, online gaming has sparked new concerns among gamers about escalating social and technological threats. Sales of gaming consoles have increased dramatically in the last year. Young people (and grownups) are gaming online in greater numbers than ever before. Games are a terrific way to unwind, whether you’re battling to the death in Fortnight or sculpting out landscapes in Minecraft. However, there is a darker side. The rise of internet gaming and what it means for young people are discussed.
Technological risks
Cybercriminals can take advantage of flaws in web and mobile systems to create game hacks with download links or corrupt programs. That include trojans, spyware, viruses, or worms concealed in the game files, infecting the system. Harmful people could utilize the social networks associated with online games to encourage you to visit fraudulent websites. Or open email attachments containing malicious software that can be used for illegal reasons. Gamers are also vulnerable to money theft. Which can occur as a result of scams when they acquire products through Real Money Trading (RMT).
Social risks
Some games linked to social networking accounts may result in an invasion of privacy and personal information theft. Due to the nature of the very advanced online social gaming trend and system vulnerabilities. Information from your gaming profiles can be acquired and utilized to steal your identity and open accounts in your name. As well as to gain access to your current bank accounts. Parents should be concerned because teenage gamers may be exposed to excessively provocative or vulgar language and imagery from their peers.
Raise your game and play intelligently
It’s worth noting that 53 per cent of Trend Micro poll respondents had unintentionally clicked on a phishing link, with 44 per cent downloading a virus through direct download sites. According to Trend Micro, compromised links tied to mobile game apps are the second most dangerous hazard to players.
This year, cyberattacks on computers, smart devices, and applications have ramped up to new heights. Users are being victimized by mobile and web-based threats such as fraudulent banking apps. And FakeAV (antivirus) spread through social engineering techniques, according to Goh Chee Hoh, Trend Micro’s South-East Asia managing director.
“Cybercriminals have evolved their methods of circumventing security. No longer relying just on malicious software – the Android ‘Master Key’ vulnerability is a major danger today. Regardless of the device you use, or whether you prefer mobile or web browsing. You should examine your computing habits and consider vulnerability patching. And expanding mobile protection beyond app scanning,” says the author.
Users may get the most out of their gaming experience by following these measures, according to Trend Micro:
Avoid suspicious gamers: Bad-behaving players abound in casual games; stay clear from them.
Separating your gaming and social lives: Taking control of your game accounts’ social networking permissions can secure your true identity and prevent you from disclosing too much personal information online.
Try to avoid paying real money for virtual goods: Only buy in-game premiums if you’re certain you’ll be able to keep track of your expenditures.
Secure your username and password: Make sure it’s simple to remember yet difficult to guess.
When appropriate, use authentication tokens: Some Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) provide authenticators to prove to the system that you are who you say you are.
Secure your username and password: Make sure it’s simple to remember yet difficult to guess.
Slow Internet Speed: If feeling your connection is getting slow, immediately do TM speed test to check your connection speed. And if you are not getting fast speed then it might be possible that someone is using your Wi-Fi.
When appropriate, use authentication tokens:
Some Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) provide authenticators to prove to the system that you are who you say you are. More young people will be online during Covid-19, which exploiters may regard as an opportunity. Show an interest in the games that young people play and earn their trust so that they will inform you if something bad has happened to them online.
Gamers, like parents and caregivers, may be able to recognize exploitation. We can prevent this abuse if we all learn to recognize the indications of online exploitation. Games provide an outlet for young people to be self-reliant, innovative, and have fun. They shouldn’t have to be concerned about being groomed every time they turn on their console.
Connecting the dots
Games have a poor rap: they’re excessively violent, the online community is toxic, and kids simply need to get out more. The advantages, on the other hand, are hardly discussed. Gaming is an enjoyable method for most young people to spend time with their friends. They can acquire teamwork, focus, and problem-solving skills. They might be cooperating as pirates in Sea of Thieves to plunder distant nations, or in the chaotic Overcooked, they might be figuring out the quickest way to create and serve culinary specialties.
Others simply enjoy watching folks play games while conversing. During the lockout, Twitch, the popular live streaming website, had a twofold increase in visitors. And, like anything else on the internet, it provides more opportunity for young people to interact with strangers. As the popularity of online gaming grows, so do stories of it being used to groom and exploit young people.
Making small talk with strangers
Online grooming is when someone deceives a young person into entering into a connection with the intent of exploiting or abusing them. It could be sexual. But it might also be to coerce someone into doing crimes like drug distribution or money laundering. Because there are more young people online. Criminals can cultivate confidence in virtual worlds by offering presents or promises of friendship, just as they would in real life.
Take, for example, the popular video game Fortnight. A big element of the game is unmoderated voice and text chat. This means that children are encouraged to strike up conversations with strangers. Everything is legal in general, however, the platform has been used to detonate bombs. Only add players you know in real life as much as possible.
Keeping yourself secure on the internet
More young people will be online during Covid-19, which exploiters may regard as an opportunity. Show an interest in the games that young people play and earn their trust so that they will inform you if something bad has happened to them online.
Gamers, like parents and caregivers, may be able to recognize exploitation. We can prevent this abuse if we all learn to recognize the indications of online exploitation. Games provide an outlet for young people to be self-reliant, innovative, and have fun. They shouldn’t have to be concerned about being groomed every time they turn on their console.
Also Read: Advantages and disadvantages of internet banking
Aside from that, there is a slew of other drawbacks
- Due to the open nature of the internet and a large amount of information available, it is feasible to download games. Particularly from less reputable websites. Viruses, spam, and dangerous software will be downloaded as a result of this process.
- There are individuals out there who are constantly looking for methods to take advantage of online users. In the guise of gaming, you may be duped or cheated out of your hard-earned money. There’s also a chance you’ll be cyberbullied.
- When you spend a lot of time online gaming, it can have a negative impact on your health. To begin with, you may find yourself sitting in the same position, pressing the same buttons, causing eye and hand strain. If the session is extended, you may become physically exhausted, reducing your ability to accomplish other tasks. It may have an impact on your personal achievement as a result of the process.
- The price of online gaming varies according to the number of games you wish to play. There’s also the cost of a computer upgrade, which is required to play the latest games. That, combined with the amount you’ll have to wager in order to win if you’re playing for money. Might have a significant impact on your other expenditures.
- Online gaming can be deceiving; a player may be chatting with someone online who is giving them false information about themselves; for example, a pedophile may use these games to contact minors who may give out personal information.
- People can become violent as a result of playing video games. If they are regularly utilizing violence to solve an issue in a video game. It is possible that it will leak into their daily lives.
- Some video games instill in children what many people consider to be negative ideals.