10 Tips Every Online Gamer Should Know
Online gaming is a great way to spend time with family and friends. But even better than that is playing online versus other gamers from across the world. Battling random strangers in a sports or war game brings great satisfaction, especially after a victory. Apex Legends is a fast-paced and thrilling battle royale game that has captured the gaming community with its unique legends, strategic gameplay and cheats https://cosmocheats.com/apex-legends-hacks-cheats-undetected/, and dynamic squad-based combat set in the futuristic and visually stunning world of the Outlands.
But there are other things that you could do to improve your online gaming experience. For instance, choosing a monitor over a tv could make a huge difference. While TVs provide a larger screen for gaming, they are typically designed for movies and tv shows rather than gaming.
But that’s not all. There are a ton of cybersecurity threats that pose a huge security concern for online gamers. In this article, we’ll look at ten tips every online gamer should know, including gaming and security tips.
5 Gaming Tips Every Online Gamer Should Know
Maintain a stable internet connection
Professional online gamers will tell you that internet speed is everything. It helps reduce lag and disconnections, making your gaming experience smoother and more enjoyable. It determines game responsiveness which typically translates to ‘doing what you want to when you want to.’
An internet speed of more than 20 megabits per second is what most gamers will recommend. But if you can go higher than that, your gaming experience will be better. Either way, make sure you have a good internet plan and use a wired connection whenever possible.
Use headphones or a gaming headset
Using headphones or a gaming headset can greatly enhance your gaming experience. They are great and handy devices to use as they help you compete better in multiplayer game modes that might need you to talk to other gamers.
Not only that, but they’ll find them extremely pleasing once you start playing those single-player games like Spiderman and God of War, as they are great at drawing out extra sounds and rumbles that you may not hear over your tv or monitor.
Practice makes perfect (take the time to learn your game)
Have you ever stopped to think that you’re finding the game challenging because you haven’t practiced a lot? As any pro gamer will tell you, practice makes perfect: and if you don’t practice enough, you’ll have a rough online gaming experience.
So, grab your controller, put on your headset, and start practicing!
Be careful with your words (cyberbullying)
The online gaming community is diverse, with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures coming together to enjoy their favorite games. This is why it’s always important to remember that this is just a game. Be respectful and choose your words wisely.
Refrain from using derogatory or offensive language that may target someone’s race, gender, religion, or any other personal attributes. Even if you feel the need to trash talk, do so in a fun and easy way.
Be alert to hidden charges – (as well as potential scams)
Some games come with extra charges or hidden costs that were never mentioned before. Although they can be exciting and enhance the overall gaming experience, it’s best to be cautious not to overspend as they can lead to addictive behavior similar to gambling.
Sometimes they just deduct from your account automatically, leaving you frustrated and inconvenienced. Be on the lookout for automatic renewals and subscriptions tied to in-game purchases.
But that’s not all – you need to be on the lookout for potential scams when buying or selling ‘things’ in-game. Be cautious about doing business with other players, as some pose as gamers but, in truth, are cybercriminals.
And there are plenty of other threats that you should be aware of as an online gamer. For that reason, here are some of the best online gaming safety and security tips.
5 Online Gaming Safety and Security Tips
Be careful about the information you share online
Online gaming requires you to provide a decent amount of personal information, especially when creating an account. But even as you do so, be careful about the information you share. Only share information that’s only important for your gaming experience.
And while it’s natural to make friends and meet new people while gaming, be careful when interacting with them. Be especially skeptical about those who ask for personal information or make requests that seem odd.
Use a password manager to create and store your game account credentials
Passwords are like the gatekeepers to our accounts. And because of this, you’d do best to use the strongest password to keep your account safe. The best passwords for gaming accounts typically involve a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.
But perhaps the best approach to having a safe password for your gaming accounts involves using password managers. With a password manager, you can generate strong, unique passwords for each of your game accounts and securely store them in an encrypted vault. This reduces the risk of your accounts being compromised due to weak or reused passwords.
Avoid visiting unverified sites or downloading third-party software from unknown sources
Third-party software sources are known for their incredibly low prices on games and related software. However, interacting with unverified sites can expose you to various security risks, including malware, viruses, and phishing attempts which are extremely dangerous.
Although they are cheap, cheap can be expensive. Don’t expose yourself to cybersecurity threats. Instead, download your games and in-game purchases from verified and official sites.
Be cautious about linking your credit/ debit card details to a gaming account
If you don’t plan on buying in-game items, consider not linking your card information to that gaming account. This is important because gaming companies can be compromised, and user information can be stolen.
For instance, Sony’s PSN network was breached in 2011, and data affecting 77 million users was tampered with.
If you decide to link your card, ensure that you trust the gaming platform and take additional precautions, such as regularly monitoring your account activity and promptly reporting any suspicious transactions.
Install reliable security software
If you’re an online gamer and haven’t installed some kind of safety firewall, you could be exposing yourself to a ton of security risks. These threats are heightened for PC players as most threats present themselves on this platform.
A recent report done in 2021 revealed that there were over 300,000 online gamers who encountered malware and unwanted software in the same year. Most of these players were on PC and mobile, with the most targeted games being Minecraft, PUBG, Grand Auto 5, Fortnite, and The Sims.
For this reason, it’s very important to install a strong, reliable security solution that will greatly help and not slow down your computer. We recommend checking out some of the best antivirus solutions to protect you from all possible cyber threats.
Conclusion
Online gaming is fun, immersive, and competitive. A stable, high-capacity internet connection with gaming headphones can amp your gaming experience. However, even when doing so, be respectful to fellow gamers and be cautious about how you interact with them.
It’s also important to be mindful of your security and privacy when gaming online. Cybercriminals from all over the world are constantly trying to steal user information for various reasons. And they targeted gamers from all platforms, especially on PC and mobile.
For this reason, we recommend using a password manager, installing strong and reliable antivirus software, downloading software from reputable sources, and being sensitive about the information you share online.
