Hey there, fellow gamers! We’ve all been there, right? Immersed in our favorite online gaming worlds, where radiant heroes engage in epic clashes with their counterparts, rivalving for control over a stunning fantasy world. But have you ever thought about the dangers lurking just behind the screen? Welcome to the reality of online gaming hacking, where security breaches, social engineering and phishing are quite common.
Let’s face the facts: online gaming hacking is real, and it’s not just a nuisance. Two out of three Americans have fallen victim to cyberattacks while online gaming. It’s a stark reminder that no virtual kingdom is impervious to these threats. But fear not, for in today’s blog, we’re equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to shield yourself against these virtual vandals.
Did you know that more than half of gamers would rather use cheat codes than prioritize security? But is that a wise choice? It was a rarity in the heady days of 2014 when it seemed like online gaming accounts were simply protected by a password and a prayer.
But, now times have changed – in today’s landscape, every gaming account has become a treasure trove of personal information for enterprising hackers, both within the gaming sphere and in the broader online criminal communities.
So, grab your controllers and let’s dive headfirst into this epic adventure to safeguard the world of online gaming hacking!
What’s in a gaming account?
Ever thought about what’s hidden behind your gaming username? It might seem like just a fun tag, but it can reveal a lot. Plenty of time we tend to tuck in our birth year or nicknames, making it a goldmine for hackers. They can use this info to track you down on data broker websites and take a shot at cracking your passwords across the internet.
Nowadays, gaming accounts are like bank accounts, especially for youngsters who save their allowances and parents’ money in there. Plus, there are folks with basic hacking skills lurking around. With data brokerage on the rise, hackers have plenty of motivation to break into your accounts.
These data broker websites collect loads of personal information, not just your name and phone number. They can know things like your car, home expenses, education, your mother’s maiden name, and your exact birthdate.
Surprisingly, these are the same details we often use for our passwords. Even if your passwords are strong, these bits of info can still be used as security questions on some websites. So, it’s vital to stay vigilant and protect your online identity.
Moreover, according to the Beyond Identity survey, gamers who have been victims of cyber hacks most often had their email addresses compromised (53%). For nearly half of them, it was their phone number (48%) and, perhaps most alarmingly, their payment data (45%) and financial accounts (43%). Some had their social media account access compromised (36%).
That’s especially true when your data has a price tag. Overall, the average value of our respondents’ compromised data was $330. PC gamers reported losses of almost $50 more than average.
Online gaming hacking for fun and profit
If you assume that stealing gaming accounts is just the work of angry gamers or youngsters running small-scale scams, it’s time to rethink that notion. Account hacking within the gaming world has evolved into a profitable enterprise, and personally identifiable information (PII) is a readily available commodity.
Hackers have access to tools that can comb through heaps of data and then experiment with various configurations on different gaming platforms. Their techniques have become highly sophisticated, with custom software circulating on the dark web, making the process remarkably easy.
What’s even more alarming is that hackers don’t always need to guess the correct password combinations to rake in big profits. Online gaming hacking doesn’t need to succeed more than half the time to run a highly lucrative operation. Just a few accurate guesses out of every hundred or thousand attempts, and suddenly, a significant number of accounts fall into their grasp. It’s a stark reminder of the very real and lucrative business of gaming account hacking.
Read more: Gaming world on high alert: Game hackers exploit Microsoft-signed rootkit
Malicious game modes
Online gaming enthusiasts, especially Dota2 players, recently faced a shadowy menace lurking within their beloved multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game.
An unidentified threat actor ingeniously crafted malicious game modes that exploited a high-severity vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine, officially known as CVE-2021-38003. On zero-day vulnerability, a CVSS score of 8.8, posed a significant danger to players as it could provide a backdoor into their systems.
The story began when these devious game modes, named “test addon plz ignore,” “Overdog no annoying heroes,” “Custom Hero Brawl,” and “Overthrow RTZ Edition X10 XP,” mysteriously surfaced in Dota 2. A fifth mode, “Brawl in Petah Tiqwa,” emerged without any malicious code. These modes managed to evade Valve’s customary vetting process for custom game modes available on the Steam store.
Of particular concern was “test addon plz ignore,” which concealed an exploit for the CVE-2021-38003 vulnerability, capable of executing custom shellcode. The other three game modes adopted a subtler approach, with their malicious code attempting to retrieve a JavaScript payload from a remote server. However, since the server is no longer accessible, the full extent of their intent remains uncertain.
In a hypothetical scenario, players engaging with these game modes could unknowingly become targets for remote access by the threat actor. Such access could lead to further exploitation by deploying additional malware onto the compromised systems.
While the motive behind these malicious game modes remains unclear, it is evident that their creation had negative intentions. The threat actor neither reported the vulnerability to Valve, nor did they demonstrate transparent aims, opting instead for a stealthy backdoor approach.
Read more: Dota 2 VPN
Preventing online gaming hacking
Online gaming has witnessed a tremendous surge in popularity, offering players the chance to engage in multiplayer experiences within virtual worlds.
From kids competing with peers to role-playing adventures where players assume fictional identities, the allure of online gaming is undeniable. However, this digital realm is not without its perils, and one of the most pressing concerns for gamers is the threat of hacking.
Here are 4 essential tips on how to safeguard your gaming experience:
- Anti-hacking tools
Select your anti-hacking tools carefully, as hackers continually evolve their tactics. Opt for tools with automatic update features that help detect vulnerabilities in your system. Choose games that come with pre-installed anti-cheat programs to enhance security.
Regularly clean up your system and install reliable antivirus software to keep your computer error-free.
- Game responsibly
Remember that even in the immersive world of gaming, real-life dangers persist. Gen Z gamers should prioritize security to avoid compromising sensitive data.
Strong passwords are essential but may not always suffice. Be cautious of what you click on and download, as hackers can find ways to access your personal information.
Always take comprehensive security measures to safeguard your data from cybercriminals.
- Install and use a VPN
Conceal your location while gaming on a desktop computer with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN makes your computer appear in a different location, preventing attackers from tracking your real whereabouts.
VPNs also enhance protection against attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). They offer added security for data and financial transactions through untraceable connections. Select a reputable gaming VPN service like PureVPN, which is a great way to get around region locks, whether by proxy or location spoofing.
The PureVPN multi-login feature supports up to 10 devices at a time, allowing any of your friends, team members, clan members, or family to enjoy gaming, streaming, achieving online anonymity, and much more all at the same time.
By following these precautions and adopting a proactive approach to online gaming security, you can continue to enjoy your virtual adventures while minimizing the risks associated with online gaming hacking.
Read more: Get the Best VPN for Gaming that Enhanced Security
- Encrypting your hard drive
When it comes to safeguarding the information stored on your computer, encrypting your hard drive is a crucial method to consider. Hackers often target devices to access sensitive data, making encryption an essential layer of defense. Without encryption, you could be exposing yourself to significant risks.
Here’s why enabling hard drive encryption is a smart move: In the event of a breach attempt by a hacker, you’ll receive an immediate notification. The good news is that you typically don’t need to download any additional software or acquire extra services, as encryption is built into both Windows and Mac operating systems.
These built-in tools make it easy to ensure your hard drive remains fully protected against potential hacker threats.
Bottom line
The discovery of malicious game modes in Dota2 and other online gaming hacking scenarios serves as a cautionary tale for all gamers. It underscores the vital importance of staying vigilant and proactive when it comes to online security, even within the immersive world of gaming. As players, it’s crucial to remain aware of potential threats and to take the necessary precautions to safeguard our digital experiences.
For more valuable insights and updates on online security and gaming, follow the PureVPN Blog page. Stay safe, game responsibly, and keep the virtual adventures enjoyable and secure!
