For decades, video games have served as a means of escapism. People of all ages from different walks of life lose themselves in their favorite universes to seek entertainment, destress, develop new skills, complete challenges or socialize. And until recently, the only problems for some gamers were videogame addiction or a bout of carpal tunnel syndrome. But in an increasingly connected world, gamers face new threats, some that put their lives at risk.
Swatting is a dangerous prank
Swatting is when someone sends heavily armed police to your address by filing a fake report. The report could be of a hostage situation, terrorism, bomb threat, or anything else that triggers an emergency response.
While pranksters launch swatting attacks against all types of people, gamers, especially on Twitch, seem to be the biggest target of the hoax. So, what is Twitch and what does it have to do with swatting? Well, Twitch is an online platform where gamers can stream content like live play throughs of video games. Popular streamers on Twitch can earn a good living and become online celebrities. Perhaps it’s because of the public personas that they attract swatters. Unfortunately, police carrying guns have interrupted many Twitch streamers after a swatting call.
It’s not just gamers on Twitch that face swatting threats. For example, one person was shot by police in a swatting prank over a Call of Duty dispute. Incidentally, the swatter had the wrong address — the victim was completely innocent in the situation.
Predators are hiding their identity
Online predators that target vulnerable people are befriending young gamers on message boards, chat rooms, in-game lobbies, and other online spaces while hiding their identities. Predators can groom their targets for months. After gaining a target’s trust, they may either ask for sensitive pictures and videos or, in extreme scenarios, they may ask their targets to meet them at unsafe locations. Shockingly, sometimes the attackers are teenagers themselves. The results of these attacks can be incredibly tragic.
Thieves are stalking marketplaces
While it’s not unusual for gamers to upgrade their hardware, demand for new graphics cards, gaming computers, and video game consoles has been skyrocketing, with more people spending time indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The surging demand has opened doors for thieves who don’t hesitate to use weapons. For example, one 19-year-old boy was shot in Texas over a PlayStation 5 deal gone wrong.
How gamers can protect themselves
Mercifully, dangerous incidents involving gamers are still relatively rare. Still, it’s a good idea for gamers to adopt the best precautions. When buying or selling on marketplaces, they should meet the other party at a public crowded space or even the parking lot of a police station.
Gamers should also remove any item that can identify their location from view when streaming on Twitch. Additionally, they must avoid sharing sensitive information with strangers, secure their accounts with long and complex passwords, and use cybersecurity technology. Software, like a top gamer private VPN can hide a user’s IP address, encrypt their data, and add a layer of anonymity and security.