Look, we’re saying “adult games,” but the fact is, you can use all these tips whenever you surf the web in any capacity. Identity theft is a rampant, profitable art. Now, there’s a lot of nefarious people out there that do hope to take advantage of a poor soul looking to dive into an erotic online adult game that may have less where-with-all than someone else. So maybe there is something to connecting adult games and identity theft. But all the same, if you’re willing to take a breath, you can use these steps to help better protect yourself.
Those Passwords… Yeah, Make ‘Em Better
So, why is it that passwords often become compromised? Well, it is actually pretty simple. Maybe you use a complex password. Its not written across a billboard in the city square. You memorized it. Who knows?
But then, suddenly, all your accounts are hacked.
Issue 1: Never use the same password for multiple accounts. This is almost always most people’s issue. Because the moment you do make a mistake on the web and fill in a phishing form, or, a company gets hacked and bad people gain access to your password, they will try it in multiple places, particularly bank websites. The very first thing you need to do is make passwords unique. You can do this by leveraging the power of a password organizers, such as Keeper or now, Apple Password Manager, which helps create strong, unique passwords and saves them in an encrypted fashion across devices for you.
Issue 2: Using too simple of passwords. You know, when your password is “homeslice.” While most websites and apps do force you to make them complex, not all do. There are password guessers out there than scan websites, particularly when they have downloaded a lot of consumer user names. This can lead to the bad characters with access to your major accounts.
Password managers also can help with that.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA is a security process that requires two separate forms of identification to verify your identity when logging into an account. It adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password, making it significantly harder for unauthorized individuals to access your accounts.
First Factor: Something You Know
- Typically, this is your password.
Second Factor: Something You Have or Are
- This could be:
- A one-time code sent to your phone or email.
- A push notification from an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Authy.
- A biometric factor such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.
Keeper Security has a great article on 2FA that’s worth reading.
Use a VPN
Use a VPN to mask your IP address and encrypt your internet connection, enhancing privacy. If you are unfamiliar with a VPN, its a Virtual Private Network that you turn on, which makes your computer appear to come from another IP. As an example, if you are in Detroit, without a VPN, someone who can see your IP might be able to tell that. But if you get a VPN, you might set it to show you are accessing your computer from Boise, Idaho.
In competitive gaming, opponents may use Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to flood your connection. A VPN masks your IP, shielding you from such attacks.
If you access the web on public Wi-Fi, a VPN protects you from hackers trying to exploit the lack of security on these networks.
A VPN can allow you to maintain anonymity when playing adult games or interacting in forums and communities.
Keep Your Devices Updated
Whether you’re an erotic gamer or not, keeping your devices (laptops, desktops, tablets, phones) updated to current software can really help stave off hacking attempts. Developers often update operating systems to defend against the latest wave of hacking attacks. But often, people avoid updates because they don’t have them on automatic updates, or they delay them because it always feels inconvenient. This leads to your device being a ready target for hacks.
Review Privacy Settings
Configure privacy settings on gaming accounts to control who can access your information.
For iPhone:
All devices have privacy settings engaged. You can turn them off, or turn them on, or set them at a specific level depending on the setting.
Playing adult and erotic games is fun for many people, but there are risk to your identity and technology. By following simple steps listed above, you can help lower your risk of getting hacked.