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Despite the fact that most of them can find their way on the internet well and have high-speed internet and TV, not everyone thinks about how to play as safely as possible. That is a shame, because with a number of relatively simple steps, the risk can be enormously limited. Do not give cyber criminals the opportunity to access your data – they can cause all kinds of damage with it. With a hacked account, they can include:

Use your bank account or credit card to make purchases;

Resell your personal or account information;

Steal all kinds of (cosmetic) items from games like Fortnite, for which you sometimes paid a lot of money;

· Perform phishing attacks.

The tips below will significantly reduce the chance of being hacked.

An important first step that you can take completely free of charge To keep your personal and bank account information secure, two-step verification is used in all places that allow it. Simply put, this means that on a new console or other device, you not only log in with the combination of your username and password, but you also have to enter an extra code. For example, a code can be sent to you via SMS, which must then be entered on the device in question. This extra layer of security makes it a lot more difficult for criminals to hack your account.

Note: You do not need to use this two-step verification every time you start your console or program. Only when you try to log in to your account at a new IP address, or when a criminal tries to access your data via another console or device, will an SMS with a new code be sent. If you receive such an SMS with a code out of the blue, then you know that someone else is trying to log in to your account. Since only you will get the SMS, they won’t just work like that.

Fortunately, most games companies are also aware of the crime that is prevalent on the Internet and more and more places are offering two-step verification. For example, on PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch consoles, you can enable this option through the companies’ official websites. Do that as soon as possible, that will save you a lot of worries later.

You download patches for games and new system updates probably as soon as possible anyway to get the smoothest experience possible. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasize that you should keep doing this. Various games or consoles may contain certain vulnerabilities, and companies sometimes issue patches to close them. It would be a shame to have your account hacked just because you didn’t feel like quitting your game and downloading that update.

One of the most obvious tools that still needs to be mentioned, is to use a strong password. Do not choose a simple number combination (0000 or 1234), do not use your date of birth or place of residence, but preferably choose a random combination of letters, numbers and punctuation marks.

Another pitfall is that many people – for example on the website of the local supermarket, on social media, for their online banking and on a console – use the same passwords. After all, that is easier to remember. Do not try to do this: if someone finds out your password in one place, they can immediately access everything. If necessary, write all your different passwords on a physical piece of paper, or download a (highly rated) app that keeps track of it for you.

Finally, it goes without saying that you make it a lot more difficult for criminals if you often changes. If your password has been leaked and is on the (dark) web, then nothing is wrong if you now have a new password in the places where you used that password.

A free item for your favorite shooter sounds very tempting, but think about it before clicking that inviting link on a website and entering your details there. There are tons of sites out there that want to offer you supposedly free in-game stuff (or completely free games!), But are secretly intended to collect your data. Only trust websites from publishers such as Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft itself, or well-known programs such as Steam and Epic Games Store.

On PC it’s important to have a strong antivirus program. When downloading games, programs or videos, you run the risk of people installing malicious software on your computer. You can prevent this by having these downloads automatically scanned by the antivirus program in advance. There are useful websites online where these programs from different suppliers are compared. This way you will always find a program that suits your use of the computer.

For a small amount per month, quarter or year you rent a VPN, a Virtual Private Network. A VPN is often used to bypass certain national or regional internet restrictions – the IP address of your internet is hidden – but it’s also very useful to keep you gaming as safely as possible.

Although your IP address is not shown in most games, it is always possible that a certain game – especially on a PC – does. When hackers know your IP address, they can launch a DDoS attack, for example. Your IP address is then, as it were, spammed with data, so that you cannot or hardly use your internet temporarily. Reset your IP address via your router settings, and if you do not have that option, contact your internet provider.

Incidentally, DDoS attacks are mainly used to bother larger companies and websites. For example, PSN has previously been the victim of such attacks, which means that games cannot be played online temporarily. Very annoying, but unfortunately as a consumer you cannot do anything about that.

You consoles and PC are probably connected to your internet at home, but with your laptop or Switch you may sometimes use public WiFi. Better not to do this. The name says it all: public WiFi is available to everyone, so you share this internet reception with others. There can always be people with malicious intentions, who may be able to access your data via an unforeseen entrance.

With the above tips you create a safer environment for yourself, so that hopefully you can continue gaming with peace of mind. Game on and stay safe!