How to prevent account takeovers in online gaming

Imagine logging into your favorite online game only to find all your hard-earned progress and virtual rewards completely gone. 

With virtual economies in games like Counter-Strike, World of Warcraft, and DOTA 2 now worth billions, cybercriminals are more than happy to steal pixels worth six or more figures. 

In this article, we’ll show you how to spot the signs of account takeovers, share some essential preventive measures to consider, and give you advice on what to do if your account gets compromised.

The growing threat of account takeovers in online gaming

Online gaming has become more than just a fun way to pass the time; it’s now a major industry with virtual economies worth billions. Unfortunately, this has caught the attention of cybercriminals, who are eager to get their hands on these digital goods.

The rise in account takeovers in recent years has been alarming, and gamers are finding themselves locked out of their accounts, with all of their rare items and hard-earned progress stolen. These virtual heists aren’t just about messing with someone’s hobby — they’re about real financial gain. 

Cybercriminals target gaming accounts because they can quickly sell stolen items on black markets for hefty sums, or even sell entire accounts. In many cases, these takeovers are done with surprising ease, exploiting weak passwords or tricking players into giving up their login details to then use against them. 

In the world of cloud gaming, the threats tend to be different from those in traditional on-device gaming. Cloud-based, managed applications introduce a separate and distinct security vulnerability. When games are hosted on cloud servers, they become prime targets for cybercriminals who exploit weaknesses in cloud infrastructure. 

With the stakes so high, gamers, Internet service providers, and game publishers alike must be aware of these threats and take steps to prevent them.

Recognizing the signs of compromised accounts

Spotting the signs of an account takeover early can save you a lot of headaches, and one of the first red flags you typically encounter is unusual account activity. 

If you notice logins from locations you’ve never been to or at odd times when you weren’t playing, that’s a big warning sign. Unfamiliar transactions, such as items you didn’t purchase or in-game currency you didn’t spend, are also strong indicators that someone else might be using your account.

Another key aspect of recognizing a compromised account is paying close attention to communications from game developers. Most game companies have systems in place to detect suspicious activity and will send you warnings if something looks off with your account. 

These notifications might include alerts about login attempts from unfamiliar devices or changes to your account settings. Ignoring these messages can lead to bigger problems down the line, so it’s important to take them seriously and act quickly.

By staying vigilant and looking for these signs, you can catch potential issues early and take steps to secure your account before any serious damage is done.

Essential preventive measures gamers can take

Keeping your gaming account secure starts with good password practices. A strong, unique password is your first line of defense against hackers. 

Try to avoid using easy-to-guess passwords like “password123” or your birthday. Instead, go for a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. If that sounds like too much to remember, consider using a password manager to keep track of all your unique passwords.

Next, let’s discuss security questions and backup codes. When choosing security questions, choose ones that aren’t easy to guess or find out through a quick search on your social media. 

Questions like “What was the name of your first pet?” can be strong if the answer isn’t public knowledge. 

Backup codes, which are often provided when you set up two-factor authentication (2FA), should be stored in a safe place—not just on your computer but maybe in a secure, physical location as well.

Speaking of 2FA, it’s one of the best ways to boost your account security. By requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, 2FA makes it much harder for hackers to gain access. 

Blizzard and Valve are great examples of companies that have implemented strong 2FA measures to protect their players. With Blizzard, you can use their Authenticator app, while Valve’s Steam Guard offers similar protection.

The main motivations behind account takeovers

The motivations behind account takeovers in online gaming are varied, but they often boil down to financial gain. 

Cybercriminals can make a lot of money by stealing gaming accounts, especially those with valuable in-game items, currency, or high-level characters. These stolen goods can be sold on black markets for real cash, turning your virtual rewards into their payday.

But it’s not just about the money, as personal information theft is another big motivator. Many gaming accounts are linked to personal data like email addresses, phone numbers, and even payment information. 

When hackers gain access to these accounts, they can steal this information and use it for identity theft or sell it to other criminals. This can ultimately lead to serious problems, including unauthorized purchases and compromised personal security.

Sometimes, the goal isn’t financial or personal gain but pure disruption and sabotage; some attackers take over accounts to mess with gamers, either out of malice or for competitive advantage. They might impersonate the account holder, delete their characters, spend in-game currency recklessly, or cause other chaos to disrupt someone’s gaming experience.

In the competitive gaming scene, the stakes are even higher hackers can or make use of app vulnerabilities to take over pro players’ files and accounts, private messages, or, in extreme cases, entire strategy books that can be resold to rival teams. 

Understanding each of these different motivations can help you appreciate the importance of securing your gaming accounts. Whether you’re protecting your virtual assets, safeguarding your personal information, or simply enjoying your games without interference, staying vigilant and proactive is key.

Recovery options if your account is compromised

If you suspect your gaming account has been compromised, don’t panic — there are some immediate steps you can take to start the recovery process. 

First, make sure that you change your password right away, and make sure the new password is strong and unique, unlike any you’ve used before. Next, check if you can enable 2FA to add an extra layer of security.

For the next step, you’re going to want to reach out to the game’s support team. When contacting them, make sure that you clearly and precisely explain the situation and what transpired.

Provide all necessary details, such as the last time you successfully logged in, any suspicious activity you noticed, and steps you’ve already taken. Doing so will help the support team understand your situation and respond more effectively.

Regaining access to your account typically involves first confirming your identity. Game support might ask you to provide proof of ownership, which can include screenshots of purchase receipts, account creation dates, or answers to security questions. While it can seem annoying, try to be patient and cooperative during this process, as it can take some time for support to resolve the issue.

When you act quickly, communicate effectively with game support, and clearly follow all of their instructions, you can recover your compromised account and get back to enjoying your games — and remember, once your account is secure again, take extra precautions to prevent future takeovers.

Making sure your online accounts stay safe

In the world of online gaming, you need to stay ahead of cybercriminals to protect your hard-earned progress and associated personal information. 

Recognizing the signs of account takeovers, implementing strong security measures, and knowing what steps to take if your account is compromised can help you enjoy your favorite games with peace of mind. After all, a little vigilance goes a long way in keeping your virtual adventures safe and secure.