Throughout the years, computer games have become one of the most exciting, complex, and diverse sources of entertainment. Just like movies and TV shows, computer games have not only different genres but also unique playstyles, stories, lengths, and other influential aspects that offer depth, as well as more possibilities to create unique combinations that satisfy the consumer.
While movies satisfy the observer, games create an opportunity for consumers to interact with the presented content. The most complex creations often feel like an immersive, different world, which invites the user to experience all its glory. In contrast, we also have silly games that provide goofy joy and comedic relief.
But in this article, we would like to focus on games that are built on gameplay and competition. The most competitive games are uniquely powerful at attracting the engagement of consumers by reinforcing the addictive desire to outperform the opponent and simulate a sense of progression. Many video game players are glued to their screens of consoles and personal computers to become the best or at least respectable players of a competitive game they grew to love.
When a game achieves immense popularity, the best players become synonymous with real athletes. Electronic Sports, or e-sports, defines a competitive environment in which, instead of striving for greatness in traditional sports, the most talented and hard-working gamers compete to be the best in their craft. Biggest companies with large player bases try to create the right circumstances for a competitive environment by organizing events with sponsors, viewers, and money prizes.
With a strong base for competitive gaming emerge many opportunities for e-sports athletes to generate revenue and turn their passion into a career. However, every step of the way requires interactions with the internet and information technologies. Players earn money through streaming, sponsorship deals, and online tournaments. With such a heavy dependence on a stable internet connection, minimal latency, as well as the ownership of representative accounts, gamers encounter problems that infringe their security on the internet. Our goal is to address these threats and the circumstances that surround them and discuss which tool scan helps with prevention. For example, if you are a Brazil resident attending a local tournament but feel like your IP address has been exposed, you can use a Brazil proxy to change your identity but stay at the local network. There are many public proxies available on the internet, but using them will endanger your data. Instead, get a cheaper deal from a reliable provider to use a Brazil proxy and avoid cybersecurity threats. To learn more about the service, check out Smartproxy – One of the most popular providers that provide educational articles to educate potential and recurring customers. For now, let’s focus on the strategies cybercriminals may use to sabotage your livelihood or, best-case scenario – your casual gaming experience.
Never underestimate DDoS attacks
A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is one of the simplest yet effective strategies to slow down or crash someone’s internet connection. While it is most often directed at web servers, there have been plenty of encounters where gamers lose their connection in a middle of a competitive match.
Even if, in most cases, the damage is suffered in a temporarily disrupted connection, stability is crucial for competitive gaming. For those streaming their performance on popular platforms, consistent viewership and stable internet speed are essential to keep viewers interested and entertained. When it comes to big e-sports tournaments, the stakes get even higher. Unlike biggest events that run on a Local Area Network (LAN), lesser tournaments allow players to perform from the comfort of their homes. If somehow an IP address of a performer manages to slip into the hands of cybercriminals, the player may be harassed during the most crucial moments of the tournament.
The reasons to commit such crimes are vile but often logical. While there is a fair share of petty competitors seeking to undermine their competition to get an advantage, just like in traditional sports, the shadiest events are a consequence of betting.
If an Ip address gets exposed, gamers can prevent DDoS attacks and avoid further exposure of network identity with the help of proxy servers. Proxies that are supplied by legitimate providers often offer the smallest possible reduction in internet speed, especially if the address is close to your location.Â
Protect your accounts
Accounts on gaming platforms like Steam, Riot Games, and Battle.net can be valuable if the owner possesses digital items or has a high rank in a competitive game. When all the valuable factors are combined, stealing such an account and putting it for sale can be a profitable venture. Also, if a hacker manages to infiltrate the account, they can operate it on behalf of the owner to perform explicit actions, defame them, and ruin their career.
To protect your digital property, make sure to use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. If you are a contractually obligated e-sports athlete, avoid sharing your account with others at all costs. In most cases, professional gamers represent the game and its community, so their behavior and decisions will always remain under the microscope when compared to other players. Protecting your account is essential for guarding its digital value and shielding your information and reputation.Â
A growing need for security
Sponsors and stakeholders see an ever-growing potential in esports. However, as a revolutionary form of entertainment, it requires both the necessity for personal security and the initiative from involved firms to push for further improvements. Cheating and hacking are rampant in lesser events that don’t have the funds to host LAN events. It is only natural that where there is competition, gambling will arise, and up-and-coming players that are struggling can use these opportunities to team up with cybercriminals and fix games. Sponsors that see an untapped potential in esports emphasize the need for security because they do not want to associate their brand with unfair competition. Talking about potential threats in the gaming industry helps us better understand their consequences and what can be done to prevent them.