{"id":7116,"date":"2015-01-08T10:00:55","date_gmt":"2015-01-08T15:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com.au\/blog\/?p=7116"},"modified":"2020-02-27T03:52:31","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T16:52:31","slug":"security-tips-for-gamers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com.au\/blog\/security-tips-for-gamers\/7116\/","title":{"rendered":"Security tips for gamers: how to keep your precious elf safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

The rise of MMORPG and Internet gaming platforms definitely attracts lots of cybercriminals looking for new ways to monetize their malicious skills. Currently, Kaspersky Lab knows of more than 4.6 million pieces of gaming-focused malware. Popular sphere indeed, right?<\/p>\n

Have you ever wondered why so many of us lose control and ignore security rules while playing games, though in every day life we remain vigilant? This behavior may seem strange, but there is a scientific answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur behavior changes when we enter \u2018gaming mode.\u2019 Computer gaming speaks to both our emotional and our rational-cognitive system. While we react very differently to each game, they all influence our experience and our real-life behavior,\u201d explains Frank Schwab<\/a>, a professor of media psychology at the University of W\u00fcrzburg.<\/p>\n

\u201cGamers tend to have difficulties turning off the feelings of success \u2014 and possibly also of omnipotence \u2014 they achieve in the game world in subsequent real-life situations. This can lead to risky online behavior, with players searching for cheats on illegal websites, for example,\u201d adds the professor.<\/p>\n

\"KL_KA_CP_Gaming_600\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many gamers turn off their antivirus solutions: Games are resource consuming and players want to enjoy the picture in the highest possible quality at any price, including safety. That\u2019s why gamers are increasingly falling victim to malware and phishing attacks carried out by cybercriminals.<\/p>\n

Hackers often use underground forums to sell access to victim\u2019s gaming accounts, e.g. on the popular portal and marketplace Steam.<\/a> The more man-hours you spend to develop your character \u2014 the more attractive it becomes for hackers. For example, a high-level character from a popular online RPG can be sold for about $10,000.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s quite easy to lose your precious character. For example, downloading a free screensaver from an unknown player can be enough. And it\u2019s not so easy to get the stolen account back. You can wait days or weeks, and receive back a \u2018naked\u2019 character with all of its items lost forever.<\/p>\n

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@steam_games<\/a> i contacted support about my account being hacked\/ stolen and its taking forever for them to get back to me! help!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonathan Ledbetter (@jldarkspider) December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n