The Go-To Security Kit for Gamers

Tips to help keep you safe on the internet

The Go-To Security Kit for Gamers
Photo by Bernard Hermant / Unsplash.

Whether you’re conquering virtual worlds or touring the real one while working, cybersecurity should be a top priority. Gamers who neglect it can find themselves locked out of their accounts, victims of identity theft, or even in legal trouble if they fail to protect important files properly.

We’ve put together a cybersecurity toolkit that both will benefit from. Start using it now for safer, stress-free online work and play!

Password Manager

Accounts let you access an online game you spent thousands of hours on or digital tools essential for your workflow. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer to want to protect your account credentials.

Password managers help you accomplish this by generating and securely storing unique, complex passwords for each account. Such tools make it impossible to guess the password, even through brute force, and help prevent one compromised account from putting others in danger.

Password managers don’t take much time to set up and can be downloaded as browser extensions, which makes protecting and accessing your online accounts very quick and easy.

Two-Factor Authentication

Despite this, you should keep in mind that hackers can still get their hands on tough-to-crack passwords if you share them carelessly or if they get exposed in a data breach. Two-factor authentication, better known as 2FA, prevents you from losing account control, even if your credentials are stolen. This is because 2FA requires to provide an additional code to access these accounts.

Many online games and services have a built-in 2FA. However, you can use a password manager or a stand-alone authenticator app to enable 2FA for games or services that don’t require one.

VPN

An often-cited perk of the digital nomad lifestyle is being able to work while enjoying refreshments and the view from a seaside café. However, the free café Wi-Fi you most likely depend on for your daily tasks is accessible to everyone around you, making it susceptible to security risks and potential monitoring by cybercriminals.

Activating a VPN beforehand encrypts your connection and protects you from potential cyber threats. While hackers might register increased network activity, they won’t be able to see what you’re doing or intercept sensitive files and information you share.

Data Removal Services

Gamers and use technology more than others. This makes them more prone to sharing sensitive information, which advertisers, scammers, and hackers use to gain their trust or exploit them.

Both groups have reputations to uphold, making it challenging to appear trustworthy professionals while avoiding oversharing personal information. This is particularly tricky to juggle since both will likely actively engage with gaming communities or clients online. But that’s why data removal services exist.

These services specialize in contacting data brokers, people finder sites, etc., and have them remove all information they have on you. This helps reduce cybersecurity risks and puts control over your data back into your hands.

black flat screen computer monitor
Photo by Compare Fibre / Unsplash.

Firewall

The internet is full of unsafe websites that tempt unsuspecting users with offers like free in-game skins or WordPress templates that would otherwise cost a fortune. Such sites are always a gamble; merely visiting one could result in a piece of malware downloading onto your system and causing serious damage.

A firewall monitors incoming and outgoing internet traffic, drastically limiting the malware or hacking attempts that would otherwise affect your devices. Firewalls also offer great protection from phishing attempts since they can prevent you from visiting known dangerous sites.

eSIMs

For remote workers and frequent travelers, managing mobile data can be a headache. Traditional SIM cards often require you to swap them out depending on the country you’re in, leading to extra costs and inconvenient delays. eSIMs (embedded SIMs) eliminate this hassle by allowing you to activate a data plan directly on your device, no physical SIM required.

To get started, look into the best eSIM providers to find reliable options that offer seamless connectivity, privacy, and security while on the go.

Anti-Malware

If you feel like firewalls aren’t fool proof, adding anti-malware software to your current security kit would be the cherry on top of the cake. Anti-malware regularly scans for, identifies, and quarantines malware that’s meant to sneak onto your device. While it might not prevent you from picking up malicious code, anti-malware will neutralize threats before they have time to infect your system and spread to others.

Conclusion

If there is one takeaway from this, it’s that both gamers and digital nomads should prioritize cybersecurity to ensure their safety, privacy, and peace of mind. You can use the tools we've covered to create a strong defense that hackers will find difficult to breach. So, why wait and risk experiencing a cyberattack first hand?