Millions of users frequent online gaming platforms daily, and the accounts on these platforms often contain expensive gaming items or money, making them an enticing target for cybercriminals.

While these games update frequently to add new features or patch issues, they sometimes forget about security, leaving users vulnerable to a multitude of cybercrimes and scams. 

Gaming platforms turning into a playground for cybercriminals and hackers means gamers are putting themselves, their accounts, and their equipment at risk of financial losses, identity theft, and a myriad of other scams. 

The allure of gaming platforms for cybercriminals

The security vulnerabilities being easy to exploit aside, there are numerous reasons why these platforms are an easy target for cyber criminals.

• Active user base: There are billions of users worldwide, many of whom are young and digitally active. The high engagement rates equate to more opportunities for attackers. In addition to this, some young, tech-savvy gamers learn hacking skills through games and exploit other users with these skills. 
• High-value digital assets: These include in-game items, currencies, and accounts with real-world monetary value. 
• Market for stolen goods: Stolen accounts and in-game items can be sold on underground websites and private messaging groups. There is a thriving black market for stolen gaming assets. 
• Technological change: Security vulnerabilities lag behind updates, features and integrations of new games.

The evolving threat landscape

Gamers should be aware of the different threats that show up on the platforms they frequent, so that they can report them or safeguard themselves against attacks. 

• Malware and fake mods: These are malicious software that infects games while being hidden in mods, installers, and cheats with the intention of causing damage, stealing data, or hijacking accounts. 
• Phishing and social engineering: These attacks come about in the form of fake giveaways, impersonation, and in-game chat scams. Attackers exploit gamer trust and social dynamics to gain sensitive information to exploit or steal.
• Credential stuffing and account takeovers: This is when cybercriminals use stolen usernames and passwords from other breaches to break into gaming accounts. When hackers have access, they can launch automated attacks on gaming login systems.
• Exploitation of anti-cheat and DRM tools: While these tools are designed to detect and prevent cheating in games, or prevent piracy and unauthorised copying, they run with high system privileges known as kernel-level access. If they have vulnerabilities, they can be exploited by cybercriminals who now have deep access to the game’s operating system. They can disable security software or install malware and ransomware without detection. 
• AI-powered attacks: Cybercriminals use AI tools to craft convincing phishing schemes. They also use automation tools to make attacks more scalable and harder to detect.

The human and social cost of cybercrime on gaming platforms

Emotional and psychological impact

• Gamers can experience harassment, hate speech or abuse online, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and withdrawal from the gaming community. 
• Persistent cyberbullying and targeted attacks can cause long-term emotional distress, especially among young players. 
• Victims of scams can lose trust in gaming platforms and their communities, which can reduce their willingness to participate or spend money on games. 

Financial losses

• When gamers lose their accounts, assets and in-game currency can result in direct financial losses. 
• Attackers may also use compromised accounts to make purchases, leaving users with unwanted charges to handle. 

Privacy and identity risks

• Information obtained from compromised accounts can be used for further scams or identity theft. 
• In some cases, personal information about victims can be publicly released, leading to potential harassment and threats.

What needs to change

Gaming platforms and gaming communities alike need to make security a priority to protect their sensitive information, financial assets, and peace of mind. 

• Rethinking security: For gaming platforms, security needs to be a foundational design principle. There is a need for better collaboration between developers and security experts.
• Player education: Gamers should be empowered with the knowledge to recognise and avoid scams like phishing. Communities should also promote security best practices to make gaming platforms a safer space for users. 
• Challenging the culture: Communities should take steps to prevent the normalisation of risky behaviour by encouraging a culture that values security alongside performance and fun.

Actionable advice for gamers

The onus of protecting accounts from cyberthreats does not lie only with the gaming platform. Gamers can take extra measures to prevent themselves from becoming an easy target. 

Strengthen your account safety

• Use unique and strong passwords for each gaming account. Consider using a password manager to help generate and keep track of the various passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security. 
• Avoid sharing account credentials with anyone, even trusted friends.
• If you are a mobile gamer or connecting from a public source, use a secure VPN to protect your information.

Be wary of social engineering

• Do not click on suspicious links or download files from unknown sources, even if they are from in-game chats or friends.
• Be sceptical of offers that seem too good to be true, such as free in-game currency, rare items, or exclusive access. 
• Double-check the legitimacy of giveaways, promotions, or messages asking for personal information.

Protect your devices

• Keep your gaming devices and software updated with the latest security patches. 
• Install a reputable antivirus or malware detection software to run regular scans on your devices. 
• Avoid using unofficial mods, cheats, or cracked games, as these are common sources of malware. 

Monitor accounts

• Regularly review your account activity for unfamiliar logins or purchases.
• Set up alerts for account changes like password resets or logging attempts from new locations. 
• If you suspect that an account has been compromised, change the passwords immediately and contact your gaming platform’s support. 

Practice safe online behaviour

• Be cautious of who you share private information with in games or on forums.
• Don’t share personal details, which can be used for targeted attacks.
• Report any harassment, scams, or suspicious activity to moderators or support teams. 

Stay informed and educated

• Follow official channels for security updates and warnings about emerging threats.
• Educate yourself on common crimes like phishing, credential stuffing, and social engineering.
• Encourage friends and fellow gamers to adopt safe practices.

Conclusion

Online gaming platforms have recently become a hotspot for cybercriminals. Factors like delayed security patches, enticing assets, and a lucrative market for these assets have contributed to an increase in cyber attacks like phishing, malware and ransomware installation, as well as credential stuffing and account takeovers. 

Without taking active control of the situation, gamers may sustain financial losses and lose trust in the spaces they go to for enjoyment. Platforms and gamers need to make their security a priority and take actionable steps to protect themselves from falling victim to cybercrimes.

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