In today’s stressful times, playing video games on your smartphone is like giving water to a thirsty person. According to the surveys, the online gaming market on smartphones is capturing a significant share of the global market.
In 2022, the global online gaming market was valued at $204.63 billion, and the mobile segment accounted for 54.3% of this market. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, as the number of smartphone users continues to grow.
Most people like to play games on their phones in their free time whether it is sitting in the metro before going to their offices, during their lunch break in schools, colleges, or offices, or before sleeping at night/ before dinner.
But a question still arises, despite all this –
is it safe to play online games on smartphones?
As you know, nowadays youth have become crazy about video games, they keep playing different types of video games on their smartphones throughout the day. In this way, the danger of many cyber crimes, including malware & viruses, phishing, Identity theft, Account takeover, etc activities is also increasing.
Due to the mobile games launched in the market by many small gaming companies, and agencies and due to the tournaments of mobile games, at least 25 to 30% of smartphone users play in such a way that their details are recorded in these companies and they can sell their information(private data), or sometimes it’s maybe hacked by hackers.
So, playing games on smartphones is only safe when you’re playing with your full protection which we will discuss further, and the most important this is that your gaming provider is trusted.
Types Of Risks On Online Gaming Smartphones?
Online gaming comes with a wide range of risks — from harassment to financial fraud, Online Game Addiction in kids, identity theft, and cybercrime.
From cybersecurity threats and privacy concerns to addictive in-app purchases and the presence of online predators, understanding these risks is essential to protect oneself while enjoying mobile gaming.
1. Addiction In Kids, Youngsters, And Even In Adults
Children may be especially susceptible to addiction because of the immersive nature of online games and constant connectivity, as well as their desire for in-game rewards and advancement.
Smartphones allow not only children but all age groups people access games whenever and wherever they please – leading them down an unwise and uncontrolled gaming path.
The addictive nature of these games, combined with the social aspects and competitive elements, can result in neglect of other responsibilities and interests. This can impact their mental health, relationships, and personal growth.
2. Malware and viruses attack
Malware and viruses can attack through online video gaming on smartphones in several ways. Here are some of the most common methods:
- Downloading malicious files: When you download a file from an untrusted source, there is a risk that it could contain malware or a virus. This is especially true for files that are associated with online gaming, such as mods, cheats, or hacks.
- Clicking on malicious links: When you click on a malicious link, it can take you to a website that is infected with malware or a virus. These websites often look legitimate, so it can be difficult to tell that they are malicious.
- Joining a malicious chat room: When you join a malicious chat room, you could be exposed to malware or a virus. These chat rooms often contain links to malicious websites or files.
- Exploiting vulnerabilities in gaming apps: Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in gaming apps to install malware or a virus on your smartphone. This is why it is important to keep your gaming apps up to date with the latest security patches.
3. Identity Theft Problem
Identity theft through online video gaming on smartphones is a growing problem. Here are some of the ways that it can happen:
1. Phishing:
This is a type of scam in which scammers send you a message with a link through an email, message, that appears to be from a legitimate source, which takes you to a fraud website or download website in case of gaming.
If you open this link and provide your information to this fake website. So these scammers can do anything with all your information without knowing you.
2. Keyloggers:
This is a software program through which scammers install this software in your smartphone, laptop, or computer without your knowledge. Keyloggers record every keystroke and whenever you share your credit card, account information, etc. to buy something, that information goes to these scammers with the help of this software.
3. Social Engineering:
It is a form of attack where criminals use deception to trick victims into giving away their personal information, often via phone calls, emails or in-person interactions.
Example: Criminals might pose as customer service representatives from gaming companies to contact victims claiming to verify their accounts to obtain personal data for verification purposes.
4. Data breaches:
Data breaches occur when criminals gain unauthorized access to a company’s computer systems through hacking, phishing, or any other means.
Once criminals gain entry they can gain access to personal data about their customers such as names, addresses, email addresses, and even credit card numbers – this information could then be stolen by hackers and used for financial gain by fraudsters.
How To Keep Your SmartPhone Safe When Playing Online Games
If you play online games on your smartphone or your children have got the bad habit of playing too many games on the phone and you want to get rid of all this. So you can follow the tips given below. Which will help you to secure your information and get you and your children away from this addiction!
1. Prepare Yourself For Addiction Free Gaming
If you are a parent who wants to exorcise the ghost of online gaming from your kids or want to change your online gaming habits on smartphones, The things that I will share with you, if you follow them, you can be free from this crisis.
A. Set realistic expectations Or Time:
To leave the habit of playing games on your phone, you have to commit yourself that you will play online games only for 2 or 3 hours in a whole day. And as soon as you get into this habit, you will have to reduce this time to half an hour or an hour. Believe me, this will work for you if you follow this for a month.
B. Delete addictive games Or Find other activities to Fill Your Time
If your child or you have more free time, then first of all delete the game from your smartphone which you play a lot. And you follow some of your hobbies in your free time, such as reading magazines, you can also go fishing, cook something good or do whatever you like.
C. Find a gaming buddy Or Join a support group
If you do not get any success from both the above then you can do one more thing that you can choose one member of your family with whom you can play something like Ludo, Carrom, etc. Along with this, people run many online NGOs for Gaming Addictators. You can join those people who do the work of removing addiction.
2. How to Protect Yourself with Malware and viruses attack While Playing Online Games On SmartPhones:
You have read so far how safe it is for you to play games on your smartphone online and what problems you may have to face. If you are also struggling with these types of problems, then what should you do so that your phone and data remain safe while playing the game?
In this article below, we will tell you a step-by-step procedure for what you should do to secure your phone, so let’s know:
Step – 1. Only download games from trusted sources:
This includes the official app stores for your device, as well as reputable websites and forums. Avoid downloading games from third-party websites or app stores, as these are more likely to be infected with malware.
Step – 2. Protect your online accounts with strong passwords and 2FA
Strong passwords protect your accounts from hackers who could gain entry and try to access sensitive information or payment methods like your credit card.
Add extra protection by activating two-factor authentication (2FA). This additional measure requires entering an extra code when accessing your account (typically sent directly to your mobile phone).
Step – 3. Use a security app
A security app can help to scan your device for malware and viruses, and can also help to protect your privacy. There are many different security apps available, so choose one that has a good reputation and that is regularly updated.
Step – 4. Keep your device’s software and games up to date:
Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your device from malware and viruses. Make sure to install software and games updates as soon as they are available.
Step – 5. Be careful what permissions you grant to apps.
When you install a new app, it will often ask for permission to access certain features on your device. Be careful what permissions you grant, as some apps may use these permissions to collect data about you or to install malware on your device.
Step – 6. Use a VPN
A VPN can help to protect your privacy and security when you are gaming online. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data.
Step – 7. Be aware of the risks
There are several risks associated with online gaming, including malware attacks, data breaches, and identity theft. Be aware of these risks and take steps to protect yourself.
List of Some Trusted Online Gaming Giants:
Here is the data of some big gaming giant companies with their growth in 2022:
1. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE):
SIE is the largest gaming company in the world by revenue, with an annual revenue of \$28.2 billion in 2022. SIE is best known for its PlayStation console and game library, which includes popular franchises such as God of War, The Last of Us, and Uncharted.
2. Tencent:
Tencent is a Chinese technology conglomerate that is also a major player in the gaming industry. Tencent’s gaming revenue in 2022 was \$25.5 billion, making it the second-largest gaming company in the world.
Tencent is best known for its mobile games, such as Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile.
3. Microsoft:
Microsoft is a multinational technology company that has also made significant inroads into the gaming industry. Microsoft’s gaming revenue in 2022 was \$17.3 billion, making it the third-largest gaming company in the world.
Microsoft is best known for its Xbox console and game library, which includes popular franchises such as Halo, Forza, and Gears of War.
4. Roblox:
Roblox is a gaming platform that allows users to create and play their games. Roblox’s gaming revenue in 2022 was \$12.3 billion, making it the fourth-largest gaming company in the world.
Roblox is best known for its family-friendly games, which are popular with children and teenagers.
