The Risks of Playing Online Games

Playing online games has become a popular pastime for people of all ages. Instead of playing against and competing with a machine, players play against actual people and they can win money and prizes. Unfortunately hackers and phishers disguised as game players create viruses, spams, spyware, and malware to send through the online game sites to other players to steal information. According to Threat Metrix, an online game security firm, thirty percent of online gamers have fallen victim to such predator. As stated by Threat Metirx, such high risk online games are WORLD OF WARCRAFT, DUNGEON FIGHTER ONLINE, SECOND LIFE, and FREE REALM.

If you are a devote online gamer here are some suggested ways to protect your computer against common attacks used by predator.

PHISHING

This occurs when people posing as the online game's staff send emails. In the emails they state that a player's account is under investigation. In the emails they ask for personal information and passwords.

Never answer these emails. Instead go to the game's website and report the phishing by email or phone.

AVATAR IDENTITY THEFT

Some players will use the avatar of other players to send viruses and malware into the game's website. The viruses and malware steal personal information on other players and get into the in-game banks to get access to goods and cash.

A way to avoid letting this happen is to not share the identity of your avatar and do not share your account information with anyone online nor off line. Also do not answer phishing emails.

VIRUS & WORMS

While playing online games viruses and worms can attack a player's computer without him or her noticing. The virus and worms can take subscription information from game sites, other personal information not related to the game site such as bank accounts, and other personal financial information. To protect against these attacks use a security software that constantly runs while the computer is in uses, and keep the software update. Such a software is Norton Antivirus Online Software. It runs constantly, protecting the computer. When it detects a virus or malware it blocks and removes it immediately.

GAME CURRENCY

Many online game website offer their players game currency. The game currency is earned when players win. The currency is used to buy goods from the in-game banks. Some players who have not won enough currency will purchase game currency from other sources, such as Ebay. However game currency from other sources can be infected with viruses, malware, or worms. A player should be patient and earn game currency from the online game website.

Paying online games can be fun. However, playing the games can put a player and his or her computer at risk. So be careful.