According to a recent press release from NortonLifeLock, over two-fifths (42%) of UK gamers have had a cyber-attack on their gaming device or account. Detecting dangerous software on a gaming device (20%), having in-game digital cash, characters, or other goods taken (12%), and detecting unauthorized access to an online gaming account were the most prevalent sorts of cyber-attacks impacting players (12%). Over three-quarters (78%) of those who were attacked said they were financially affected, losing an average of £145.
Around one-fifth (19%) of hardcore gamers stated that their personal information was taken and made available to the public on the internet. The survey of 700 individuals in the United Kingdom who play online games revealed some concerning patterns in gamer-to-gamer cyber risks.
More than a quarter (28%) of participants replied they would hack a friend’s, family member’s, or romantic partner’s gaming account if they thought it would offer them a competitive advantage in an internet game. This opinion increased to 48% among hardcore gamers.
Furthermore, 43% of all UK players polled claimed they are at least somewhat inclined to exploit a game’s flaw or glitch. A third (34%) said they would put cheats on their gaming account or devices, 30% said they would pay to gain control of another user’s gaming account, and 29% said they would hack into another player’s gaming account.
The survey discovered that UK gamers had inadequate cybersecurity practices, rendering them open to cyberattacks.
According to Armin Buescher, technical director at NortonLifeLock, scammers know that hacks, skins, and limited edition products are highly sought after by both expert and casual gamers. Providing these competitive advantages is an excellent chance to spread harmful links or lure gamers into installing malware that, if successful, can steal a player’s gaming profile, personal information, and other information. Having security that helps defend against these risks can provide gamers with peace of mind, allowing them to focus on the game itself.
