Happy National Video Game Day! This is the day to celebrate one of the great ways you can relax and have fun. Over time video games have dramatically evolved from simple one player handhold's to a complex worldwide network of players interacting. However, i
t also opens up the amount of risk associated with those playing.
Here are a few quick tips to stay safe while playing online video games:
Watch what you download
At a quick glance, any site or app may seem like its reliable; however, you never really know if it is truly secure until you take a moment to check it out. For starters, always make sure you are downloading your apps from a secured source, like I-tunes or the Google Play Store, which preform self checks of the apps they provide. Second check out the developer of the app, if the name isn't familiar to you google it. Also, make sure to check out the reviews before downloading. This can give you a heads up if the game isn't worth getting or if it isn't safe.
Limit in-app purchases
Now a-days everything is connected, which makes every day actions easier; however, ease isn't always best. Many of us have our bank account information connected to our phones to make purchases. This isn't a problem if your the only one using it, but if you have little siblings or cousins begging to play on your phone it can be. That game that they "need" to play right that second might end up costing you in the long-run. Always require your account to get permission through a password before allowing charges.
Check a "cheat" before using itAt a quick glance, any site or app may seem like its reliable; however, you never really know if it is truly secure until you take a moment to check it out. For starters, always make sure you are downloading your apps from a secured source, like I-tunes or the Google Play Store, which preform self checks of the apps they provide. Second check out the developer of the app, if the name isn't familiar to you google it. Also, make sure to check out the reviews before downloading. This can give you a heads up if the game isn't worth getting or if it isn't safe.
Limit in-app purchases
Now a-days everything is connected, which makes every day actions easier; however, ease isn't always best. Many of us have our bank account information connected to our phones to make purchases. This isn't a problem if your the only one using it, but if you have little siblings or cousins begging to play on your phone it can be. That game that they "need" to play right that second might end up costing you in the long-run. Always require your account to get permission through a password before allowing charges.
Many games have certain actions or inputs you can do to get you perks during the game. These allow for gamers to do things they otherwise wouldn't be able to, which is why many want them. However, you should always be careful about where you get the codes you're using. There are hackers out there who will use a "cheat" code as a cover for a virus. We unknowingly put them in to get something for the game and lose our information in the process. To avoid this, always get your codes from a reliable source and check any comments available.
Keep up to date
You should always make sure the device, app, or software you are using is up to date. While it might be inconvenient to stop in the middle of a game to perform an update it is a necessary piece of staying safe online. Typically updates are to fix some form of bug or to implement better security. In either situation, you are better off in the long run to go ahead and update right away. It can save you from problems in the game itself or even problems with you information you provided.
Be careful buying virtual "property"
If it’s too good to be true it probably is. Many times schemers will use urgency and savings as a combination to get your information or money. On a lot of games your "property" is from actual money spent on the game, so it's important to understand the difference. Also, if an message pops us telling you that an outrageous deal from someone else on the game, always take time to check it out before handing over your information or "property". You don't want to loose something that took forever for you to earn on the game on accident.
Learn more by visiting hornet.emporia.edu and clicking on the "Information Security" tile. Have a great fall semester!
