Any
action we take online requires being vigilant and taking security seriously.
Whether browsing, downloading any file, sending an e-mail. Also when we play
online we must take extreme precautions.
Massively
Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) have grown in popularity in recent years so
naturally they have become great targets for attackers.
These
games create alternative universes, generally with great features, that attract
avid players who invest large amounts of time, and sometimes money, in them.
There have been cases of theft of personal information stored in the databases
of the games themselves, including credit card information. Some people take
these games very seriously, so much so that some attackers breach the security
holes in the plugins of these games simply to steal resources that belong to the
game (gold, weapons, etc.) from the players, but the danger real is much more
important. Cases of MMO games infected with worms are known.
But
for the attackers, the gold mine is the multiple fan sites and forums that are
generated from the games. These edge sites typically have a low level of
security, allowing attackers to easily breach email addresses or even
passwords.
This
is where the classic "phishing" e-mail scams derive, through which
attackers send seemingly authentic messages to the players of these games,
notifying them of a security breach and the need to reset passwords. All the
attacker needs is to create a fake password reset portal to obtain the
"old" password, which he will use to fully violate the player's
account.
The
best thing MMOG players can do to protect their data is to be methodical about
their security.
1. Use
unique emails: You will almost certainly receive phishing emails at the
email address you use on game fan sites. Therefore, create an email address
that you use only for these sites. Be suspicious of any email you receive on
that account. Next, create a unique email address for each MMOG you play.
Again, do not associate your personal email account with any MMOG or fan site
account. Use different passwords for each of these accounts. This is essential
today. No matter what we do online, it is very convenient to keep our data
private. We should never provide confidential data, information that relates
us. When playing is equal or even more important. We are surrounded by people
from all over the world on many occasions and we don't really know who is
behind it.
2. Use
strong passwords: Always use strong passwords that are not dictionary
words and include non-alphanumeric symbols. Passwords should be combination of
numbers, alphabets and special character. It should be something different and
it should not be related to you.
3. Play
safely: Do not play unsafe online games. If you haven't heard of the game,
you probably shouldn't trust it. Do not click on the ads for these games. You
probably shouldn't trust them either. If you are starting a new online game, we
should always verify that the server we are using has the correct encryption
and authentication before we start playing. If this server does not have them,
we can be vulnerable to attacks that can affect the databases of the game site.
4. Be
careful what you download: Downloading games from an unauthorized sites
may give permissions to viruses to enter the computer and make it worst while
working and making its processer slow.
5. Install
antivirus and update software: Always have an antivirus in your
computer that will fight with virus. There are many other viruses for which you
should keep your antivirus software updated and that will keep your computer
healthy.
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