How can online gaming be a target for cyber criminals? (Part 2)

13th August 2025

Gaming can be a lucrative target for bad actors: make sure you’re not the one being played.

We’re back with part two of our list – if you’d like to read part one first, you can find it here. As we mentioned before, online gaming is an easy target for cyber criminals, and we’re here to warn you about all the ways you could be attacked.

Not only are accounts often connected to credit cards, but a lot of users are younger, and therefore easier to manipulate. Find out how social engineering, amongst other things, can be used by bad actors to compromise gaming accounts:

In-game scams – players can be tricked into trading valuable items with other players in the game, with fake marketplaces used to scam people out of their gear. Simply, if you do not know the person, don’t trust them: never give away any item you aren’t willing to lose.

Data breaches – many game companies, as well as the companies that create the gaming platforms, have been breached over the years. Details like emails, passwords and other financial data have been leaked. While this responsibility falls mainly with the company being attacked, by ensuring password best practise you at least know that your other accounts remain safe.

Social engineering – over voice chat, players may be manipulated into giving away key personal information, especially younger ones. Be careful what you tell people when interacting online and encourage other users to stay vigilant too.

Microtransaction fraud – microtransactions are purchases that can be made within video games, often for things like skins. Stolen credit card information can be used for these purchases, or players (again, younger ones are bigger targets) may be manipulated into buying things on another person’s behalf. Be mindful of any unusual purchases on your account and lock down your card if it looks to be compromised.

Evidently, online gaming is just as susceptible to cyber attack as any other account linked to the internet: as with your emails or your social media, you need to be mindful and aware of where attacks may come from.

If you would like any further advice for staying safe while gaming, you can contact Interfuture Security HERE.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/VEI_43r3tJU