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Tips to Keep Your Gaming Console Secure From Online Attacks 

Modern gaming consoles are multipurpose devices that can be the centerpiece of a home theatre. These systems are designed for interactive video gameplay and display, but they are capable of much more. That’s right, gaming consoles such as Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo aren’t just for playing games anymore. You can use your game console to stream movies on Netflix, play music, and surf the web right out of the box.

As you can see, today’s game consoles are basically computers. They are built with the same essential components, including hard drives, CPUs, GPUs, and RAM. Since they are just like computers, they process and store in the same way. Just like any other internet-enabled device, gaming consoles are also vulnerable to a wide range of online security threats out there.

Gaming Consoles Security Risks

All consumer devices collect data, and gaming consoles are not different. Gaming consoles collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and other data to allow users to interact with software vendors and other players. These devices will also collect personal information, financial information, and location data to deliver a customized gaming experience.

The kind of information that game consoles collect is highly valuable to hackers. These online malicious actors are always looking for people with lucrative online accounts and sensitive information. Online gaming accounts are often a lucrative target for hackers as they hold sensitive user data, including login credentials and banking/financial information.

In addition to personal and financial information, hackers will also target online gaming accounts for in-game valuables. Some of the most sought-after and valuable in-game items include in-game currency and virtual weapons. Cybercriminals can trade stolen in-game items such as virtual weapons and currency and actual gaming accounts for real-world money.

Best Ways for Gamers to Protect Themselves

Pretty much anything we do online is under constant siege and risk of attack, including online gaming. So, what measures can you take to mitigate the risk of a cyberattack on your internet-enabled gaming console? Here are a few security measures you can implement to protect yourself from cyber threats when gaming online.

Secure Your Network

Use a VPN for gamers to protect your network from hackers and other online threat actors when gaming online. A VPN encrypts the data sent between your game console and internet servers, making it extremely difficult for such online adversaries to intercept your internet traffic and steal sensitive information.

Use Strong Passwords

Cybercriminals may try to gain access to your online gaming account by cracking your password using brute force. Using strong passwords is the only way to protect yourself from brute force attacks. Make sure that your password contains a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Two-Factor Authentication (2-FA)

Use Two-Factor Authentication (2-FA) to add an extra layer of security to your password-protected online gaming account. Having a second factor (like your phone or biometric authentication such as a fingerprint) keeps attackers from exploiting weak or stolen credentials to access your account.

Phishing and Malware Protection

In a phishing attack, cybercriminals will try to obtain your login credentials using trickery. They’ll send you an email that appears to have originated from your online gaming company asking you to provide this information. Phishing is also used to deliver malware. You use antivirus software to detect and block phishing emails.

There will always be a target on your back when you are on the internet, no matter what device you are using to connect to the internet. Gaming consoles and online gaming accounts, in particular, have become a profitable target for cybercriminals. However, gamers can increase protection against online threats using the cybersecurity tips mentioned above.

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