Security Strategy, Plan, Budget

Study finds gamer cyber hygiene stinks

As online gaming grows in popularity ESET researchers found that cybersecurity measures haven't kept pace as 36 percent gamers reported actively turning off security software if they found it was slowing down their computer.

The study, conducted by Google Consumer Surveys, polled 500 gamers and found that 52 percent of respondents said they don't even use security software on their gaming computers, according to a Sept. 13 blog post.

Gamers stated numerous reasons for their lack cybersecurity hygiene with 20 percent saying they don't need it, 13 percent saying they don't like they pop ups, 12 percent saying it slowed down their computers, and eight percent saying that it interrupts their gaming experience.

Researchers warn whenever security settings are disabled, users run the risk of malware stealing their login credentials and using gaming accounts for malicious activity which could lead to the legitimate user getting banned from the gaming platform for someone else's actions.

The stolen accounts could be used for botting, item farming, and other activities without the account owner's knowledge.

“While there's a good chance you will get your account back after it's been banned, providing you can prove it was compromised, it's the downtime that causes so much hassle,” ESET Security Specialist Mark James said in the blog. 

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