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McAfee survey says gamers worry about future state of gaming security

In McAfee’s “Game Over: The Future of Gaming Security” survey, 75 percent of gamers show concern about security in the gaming industry. This stems from the fact that 64 percent of gamers have been directly affected by a cyberattack or know someone who has.

About 1,000 survey respondents from the United States played video games at least four times a month and spent at least $200 annually on gaming. Online gaming not only requires personal details but also asks for financial credentials for purchases within the game.

The survey also showed gamers’ concern over security with 83 percent following basic steps in securing their devices such as installing anti-virus software. Still, these individuals have participated in one way or another in “risky only behavior.”

These risky behaviors are defined as reusing passwords (55 percent) or relying on incognito mode or private browsing to keep their PC safe (36 percent) and 41 percent read the privacy policies associated with games, though this technique won’t help to keep their device secure.

These behaviors led to the 38 percent of respondents experiencing at least one malicious attack on their PC. From that number of victims, 92 percent installed an antivirus software after experiencing a cyberattack.

McAfee advises gamers “to take action against potential threats before they occur.”

Do not reuse passwords. Reusing passwords makes it easier for hackers to access more than one accounts if they crack one of the gamers’ logins. Prevent this by using unique login credentials for all accounts.

Click with caution. Avoid responding to messages from unknown players and don’t click on suspicious links. Cybercriminals can use phishing emails to send gamers malicious files and links that can infect their device with malware.

Use a security solution. Using a security service to safeguard devices can help protect users from a variety of threats that can disrupt their gaming experience.

Image from Pixabay

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