Have a gamer in the house? 5 must-do security steps
Although online gaming can be a fun way to unwind, it also comes with several security issues. Competitive gaming can lead people to sabotage their rivals, so you need to take steps to protect your home network. Threats can range from harassment campaigns and hacking to doxxing and swatting (more on that later).
After hearing this, you may want to stick to light-hearted games that don’t invite competition. Tap or click here for fun sites that let you play the best online games for free. But if you think the rewards are worth the risks, you’ll want to read this guide.
In this article, you’ll learn how to protect yourself in the world of competitive gaming. Unscrupulous gamers may try to hack into your computer and remotely shut you down. Anger the wrong people, and your life could be in danger.
Some people even send SWAT teams to your home
Swatting is an illegal prank that can get you killed. The perpetrators use caller ID spoofing and social engineering techniques to report false crimes to the police. One man lost his life after police fell for one of these hoaxes.
In 2017, Casey Viner and Shane Gaskill got into an online argument while playing Call of Duty. They both lost the match and $1.50 in wagers, according to Buzzfeed News. Viner threatened to send a SWAT team to Gaskill’s house in a fit of anger.
Instead of shutting down the conversation, Gaskill goaded Viner on. He intentionally provided an address he didn’t reside at, according to the Chicago Tribune. Viner took the bait — but he didn’t want his name connected to the crime.
Viner then asked a friend named Tyler Barriss to make a false report on his behalf. Barriss agreed and called 911, spinning a fake tale about a high-stakes hostage situation. The SWAT team arrived at the address in Wichita, Kansas. Obviously, Gaskill was nowhere to be found.
Instead, a 28-year-old man named Andrew Finch opened the door. He was unrelated to the argument. A sniper rifle killed him in mere seconds, Yahoo Finance reports.
How this affects you
Online gaming comes with a unique set of security threats. If you’re a gamer or have a gamer in the house, you need to create a defense strategy.
Online games are no longer a harmless, frivolous way to spend time. They’re now a cutthroat industry with a ton of cash on the line. Don’t underestimate the ways other people will try to hurt you and your loved ones to get ahead.
Sick of slow Wi-Fi? Move your router
For how important it is, it sure is easy to forget about your trusty router that works 24/7.
Routers are crucial to sending strong, reliable internet to your devices, but when’s the last time you made sure it’s locked down from hackers? Here are my five essential router security settings to keep hackers out of your network.
Online abuse is more common than ever. Do this to stop cyberstalkers
Online harassment victimizes 40% of Americans. The number of Americans who say they’ve been victims of cyberbullying is frightening. According to the Pew Research Center, online abuse is only getting worse.
Cyberstalking can happen to anyone, and it can damage every aspect of your life, from friendships to your future career. You can encounter many different types of nastiness: harassment, name-calling, sexual harassment, and even death threats.