What to Do If You Think Your Online Gaming Account Has Been Hacked
Picture this: you just got off from a long day of work and sit down at your gaming PC. You log in to your favorite game, ready to spend some time playing for your next in-game goal. But as you enter the game, you realize something has changed. All the valuable in-game items you’ve spent months grinding for are gone, and now you’re just left with a looted account.
For those who value their time and effort spent on gaming, this truly sounds like a heartbreak story. If you don’t want this to happen to you too, then continue reading. This article will guide you through the steps to take if ever this dreaded day comes, as well as security measures to ensure this won’t happen.
Signs of a Hacked Gaming Account
One of the most obvious signs that your account has been hacked is when you’re unable to log in, even after making sure you typed the correct password. This likely means that an unexpected password change has occurred. To be sure, check your email linked to that game. There is likely a security notification stating that your password has been changed.
If that’s not the case and you’re able to log in but feel that something is off, check your inventory and in-game storage. There, see if all your valuable items are still there. This is assuming you’re playing a game with a trading system. Some hackers don’t steal accounts entirely but instead opt to only take a few high-value loots.
In case a game doesn’t have direct trading, keep in mind that hackers can still use your account to make in-game purchases as gifts and send them to themselves. Many games have gifting systems, and while some in-game purchases require multifactor authentication, not every game is secure. Such hacks can still be done if the hacker has more stolen information from you.
Immediate Actions After Suspecting a Hack
It’s important to act fast if your gaming account is hacked. Treat this scenario like a speed run, but this time, you only have one try.
Request a password change
Most games have a “Can’t log in” or “Forgot password” button right on the login page. Click on it, and all you have to do is follow the instructions sent to your email. If you reach the point where you can change your password, make sure to follow strong password principles. So, be sure it’s at least 12 characters long, includes uppercase and lowercase letters, and contains numbers and special characters.
If you want an easier way to create strong passwords that are difficult to crack, consider using password managers. Many sites and forums offer information on different password manager providers, helping you find one that’s intuitive and cost-efficient. Simply search for a NordPass review or any other provider, and many genuine user reviews will pop up.
Always have two-factor authentication (2FA) turned on
Some gamers think 2FA is a hassle, but systems like this can make or break the success of hacking your gaming account. 2FA requires you to provide two different forms of identification when logging in, such as a code sent to your phone or biometrics. Most big title games already have this security measure in place. For example, Riot Games has its own 2FA system as well as major gaming platforms like Steam and Epic Games.
Report the incident to customer support
With enough proof of the hack provided, customer support for your game or its platform can help recover your stolen items. However, don’t expect this to be the norm. The more important aspect of reporting a hacking incident is allowing the developers to assess their game’s security and improve it in the future.
Check your linked accounts
If someone was able to get into your game account, chances are they might have even more sensitive information on you. They might check if you’re using the same login credentials across different accounts, not just your gaming ones. This is why you should check every other important online account you have and change their passwords, too.
Securing Your Account for the Future
Aside from the aforementioned advice about strong and varied passwords, there are more ways to keep your game accounts safe.
First is to recognize phishing attempts. If someone messages you in-game offering to give you premium currency that seems too good to be true, know that this is likely a phishing attempt. The scammer’s goal is to gain your trust and obtain sensitive information about your accounts by convincing you to share it. Remember, if they really want to give you a gift, there are ways to do it without revealing your password.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are worth considering as well. While they don’t directly protect your gaming accounts, they add an extra layer of security. VPNs encrypt your data, including your IP address and online activity. It’s like extra armor against potential threats, especially if a hacker tries to attack your data in an open network. When you enable a VPN while gaming, any data intercepted by hackers will be encrypted and unreadable, rendering it useless to them.
If you’re concerned that a VPN might affect your gaming experience, check providers that offer USA VPN or other region server support. This way, you can not only protect your online activity but also potentially improve your gaming experience by choosing a server closer to the game’s servers, reducing latency.
Level Up Your Security: Don’t Be a Target
Gamers know how much effort it takes to reap in game rewards. Don’t let all those hours of grinding be rendered meaningless by random hackers. Make sure to follow the security measures we discussed and you can keep gaming, worry free!
