Many are unaware of a growing problem in the Internet world: cybersecurity threats in online games used by children and teenagers.
In the last 15 years, video game creators have taken advantage of the massification of Internet use to improve the user experience of their products.
From enjoying arcade or “Martian killer” games alone in the 1990s to the 2000s, we have moved on today to ultra-realistic games. The “multiplayer” option allows children and teenagers to form teams and play online with other users worldwide.
Online platforms are specially created for players to connect and compete against or with other users, no matter from where country they are connected.
There are real online gaming championships, and we even find world-famous people for being the best players in their categories.
It is estimated that more than 60 million children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 17 use this platform worldwide.
Why do we expose ourselves so much to online games?
Video games have become an addiction for millions of children, teenagers, and even adults.
To a large extent, they are helpful from a cognitive point of view, as they stimulate the reaction capacity, strategy development, and teamwork skills of players of all ages.
In addition, many shy young people find a place where they can interact with other people on these virtual sites. This, in turn, helps to alleviate anxiety and improve their mood.
Remember that online gaming platforms have chats or allow voice conversations between users.
Cyberbullying, a serial cybersecurity threat in online games?
Having said the above, let’s now talk about the dark side of online games and the cybersecurity threats that children and young people may face.
As in the real world, there are thousands of reports of cyberbullying, a term that defines verbal and psychological harassment and aggression within virtual networks.
Every year thousands of children and young people are victims of teasing, hostile comments, and threats from other players. A widespread reason is that they are not “skilled enough,” which bothers others.
The big problem is that players do not register with their real names but use pseudonyms and avatars. This allows them to insult, harass or threaten other players without putting their identity at risk.
But why should a child be bothered by what strangers say? Well, the answer is that children and young people are psychologically vulnerable.
Therefore, it is straightforward for them to suffer from depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety when they are attacked.
Cyber grooming and online games
Cyber grooming is one of the biggest cybersecurity threats in online gaming. It is a crime in which an adult uses electronic means to impersonate a child or young person and gain a minor’s trust.
The ultimate goal is to achieve a sexual encounter with the child and other forms of abuse such as prostitution, drug use, trafficking, and violence.
With the increasing Internet use, groomers have discovered that online gaming platforms are an excellent place to look for new victims.
Even if they are unsuccessful in carrying out a sexual assault, a groomer can trick a minor into providing personal information.
This includes home address, schooling, age, and parents’ credit card details, which they then use to make unauthorized purchases.
Pishing, a problem that extends to online games
Phishing is a problem affecting all computer networks globally, and, of course, it has also reached online games.
It is based on sending fraudulent emails, in the name of banks or financial companies, asking for their clients’ confidential data to “solve” a supposed problem with their accounts.
Deceived by the apparent authenticity of the email, many people provide their bank account numbers, credit or debit cards, and other data.
The attacker then uses these to empty the victim’s accounts or make unauthorized purchases on their behalf.
Pishing is also a significant cybersecurity threat within online gaming. Criminals can send deceptive messages to users through chat or mail systems.
These messages may also contain malware designed to hijack passwords or include threatening messages.
How to improve cybersecurity in online games?
Caution is the best protection tool against cybersecurity threats in online games.
Explain to your children that they should not give out personal data to anyone who contacts them on these platforms.
Keeping a low profile helps a lot. However, giving an avatar and a nickname is not much an attacker can do against your children.
Guide them never to give out their real names, emails, photos, or links to their social networks to strangers.
Finally, it is essential to register only on serious platforms with mechanisms to report or denounce any user who tries to attack or take personal information from children and adolescents.
