Online gaming is a sector often considered as a “winner” during the pandemic because it was spared from significant upheaval and actually experienced a lot of growth. However, a report called ‘Gaming in a Pandemic’ reveals that the cyber attack traffic targeting the video game industry also grew more than any other industry during the peak of COVID-19. According to the report, the video game industry suffered more than 240 million web application attacks in 2020, presenting a 340% increase from 2019.
As players engage in microtransactions to get virtual in-game items, gaming accounts are often connected to credit cards and payment processors like PayPal, which present a lucrative opportunity for bad actors. Cybercriminals who target gamers often belong to informal structures that can emulate the efficiencies of standard enterprise operations. This means it’s not just a cybersecurity problem exclusive to gaming; these malicious actors have the resources to attack other individuals and businesses. Here are three ways online gaming can pose major cybersecurity challenges-