The ongoing growth of Esports is now considered old news. The popularity of Esports is undeniable given that tournament prize pools often top tens of millions of dollars. However, given that the gaming industry is now a new target for cybercriminals due to its increased popularity, cybersecurity is crucial.
In this post, we’ll examine the reasons that make the gaming industry a top target for cybercriminals as well as some precautionary measures.
Why are cybercriminals focusing their efforts on the gaming industry?
Cybercriminals are drawn to esports and online gaming for a variety of reasons, including:
The Increase in Online Sales
Targeting the gaming industry can lead to huge financial gains. Due to the fact that players are typically willing to spend money on in-game items and accessories, there are many con artists in the gaming sector attempting to take advantage of players by making false promises.
A Wide Range of Connected Online Platforms
If the game’s platform or software has a security hole that cybercriminals can exploit, a gamer’s financial information and personal information may be at risk. As a result, thieves are able to acquire sensitive information like credit card numbers.
The Increasing Popularity of Online Games
The gaming industry is continually adding new players. Through this resource pool, fraudsters can access a steady flow of victims. Cybercriminals can also easily target players in several nations at once because international gamers participate in Esports.
Three Strategies for Countering Cybersecurity Threats in the Gaming Sector
Without a doubt, Esports event organizers, teams, and players should all work to protect the sport’s integrity and popularity if the industry is to thrive. Each Esports stakeholder should take the following important steps to improve their security posture:
1. Create a Strong Security Policy
First and foremost, strengthening security should involve developing, enforcing, and implementing strict security regulations.
You should document technical protections to identify and prevent cyberattacks and cheating. However, they must also pay attention to the company’s personnel and processes, such as how to make security a priority in the minds of employees, personnel, and players. These policies can also include how to set up recurring processes to keep tabs on the effectiveness of the company’s security measures.
2. Create Security Obligations Using Contracts
More pronounced Esports stakeholders should contractually force downstream stakeholders to implement sufficient security measures. They can also reserve the right to assess their security environments — a procedure required by data protection regulations where personal data is processed.
3. Utilize proxy servers
Datacenter proxies and residential proxies are the two main categories of proxies.
The family of residential proxies includes gaming proxies. Cheap residential proxies are essentially proxy servers with one or more IP addresses given to them by a nearby Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Domestic proxies appear more accurate than other proxy kinds since your IP address will resemble a typical residential user’s. Residential proxies are purchased and used in the programme or browser’s proxy settings. As a result, instead of your device’s IP address, any website or app you use will receive information about the residential proxies’ servers.
Everyone who uses the internet must take care to preserve their privacy in light of the rise in cases of identity theft conducted online. Gamers particularly require safety in this regard.
Residential proxies are thus an essential element of online safety. Residential proxies serve as middlemen between users and the internet, protecting users’ data from unauthorised access. Therefore, to avoid IP address tracking and security breaches while playing games, you should utilise affordable residential proxies.
The number of potential cybersecurity breaches is increasing along with the gaming industry. Although there are legitimate concerns about cybersecurity in the gaming sector, you can take precautions to safeguard your data and yourself from impending attacks.
In order to address the constantly changing security challenges, all sector participants in esports must ultimately embrace effective security protocols and move toward a more uniform regulatory system.