MyCRA Specialist Credit Repair Lawyers

Tag: gamers

  • Gamers: cheating could cost you your credit rating

    If you or someone in your family is a gamer, then you would be familiar with gamershacks. Hacks and cheats are designed to give a gamer help with a game by allowing them to download useable software for assistance. But security company, AVG says downloading hacks could open up a can of worms not only for the gamer, but for anyone else that uses the computer, because you have probably also just downloaded Malware. We look at how this occurs, what Malware does and what the risks are for your personal information and  your credit file.

    By Graham Doessel, Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au

    Antivirus vendor AVG has issued a warning to gamers following research which suggests that more than 90 per cent of ‘hacks’ available online contain some form of malware or malicious code.

    Hacks and cheats are commonly incorporated into games; however, the sheer popularity of online multiplayer games has made gamers prime targets for cybercriminals.

    “The research suggests more than 90 per cent of hacks, cracks, patches, cheats, key generators, trainers and other downloadable game tools contain malware or executable code.

    These hacks are commonly delivered via unregulated torrents and file sharing sites, an easy vector for malware.

    Malware inadvertently downloaded with hacks can give attackers easy access to your online gaming account as well as other sensitive information such as online banking details, personal data and passwords for other online services,” Stay Smart Online recently advised.

    They advise gamers to only download patches from the game’s official site, and to avoid any unofficial software. They also recommend:

    Always be suspicious of any files downloaded from torrents and file sharing websites.

    Ensure you always have up-to-date security software installed on your computer.

    Use unique account logon and password information for each of your online gaming accounts (and every other online service you use).

    What is ‘malware’?

    Malware— is short for ‘malicious software’. It is a type of malicious code or program that is used for monitoring and collecting your personal information (spyware) or disrupting or damaging your computer (viruses and worms). Stay Smart Online explains in more detail:

    Spyware

    The term spyware is typically used to refer to programs that collect various types of personal information or that interfere with control of your computer in other ways, such as installing additional software or redirecting web browser activity.

    Examples of spyware include:

    Keyloggers  

    A keylogger is a program that logs every keystroke you make and then sends that information, including things like passwords, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers, to whomever is spying on you.

    Trojans

    A Trojan may damage your system and it may also install a ‘backdoor’ through which to send your personal information to another computer.

    Viruses and worms

    Viruses and worms typically self-replicate and can hijack your system. These types of malware can then be used to send out spam or perform other malicious activities and you may not even know it.  Both can use up essential system resources, which may lead to your computer freezing or crashing.  Viruses and worms often use shared files and email address books to spread to other computers.

    malwareMalware and your credit file

    If fraudsters can get their hands on your personal information they can steal passwords to not only the gaming site, but also to the bank or credit accounts of anyone who uses that computer.

    They can also create a patchwork quilt of information that can allow them to eventually have enough on you to request duplicate identity documents (identity theft), and apply for credit in your name (identity fraud).

    Running up credit all over town, perhaps buying and selling goods in your name, or in some cases mortgaging properties –you may have a stack of credit defaults against your name by the end of their ordeal – and sometimes no proof it wasn’t you that didn’t initiate the credit in the first place.

    Recovery can be slow, and in some cases you may have no way to prove you weren’t responsible for the debt – with fraudsters leaving no trail and the actual identity theft happening long before the fraud took place.

    Who might be most at risk?

    Gamers often aren’t worried about risks to their personal information as they are often young people who consider they don’t have much to lose, when in fact they do. Firstly, if Malware is downloaded – it puts the entire family at risk. But secondly, a young person is just as vulnerable as anyone to exploitation. There have been reports of crooks harvesting the personal information of young people and storing it until the victim turn 18. Australian Police have issued warnings on the issue of data warehousing in relation to Facebook in the past, but fraudsters won’t be fussy about where they get it from. It all has a lucrative price on the ‘black market’ of personal information.

    For more help with teaching kids and young people about online risks, go to the Stay Smart Online website http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/kids_and_teens.

    Visit our main website www.mycra.com.au for more information on identity theft and your credit file.

    Image 1: Arvind Balaraman/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

    Image 2: Salvatore Vuono/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  • Gamers need to know identity theft risks

    The massive increase in gaming popularity comes with a price, as gamers unknowingly expose themselves more and more to identity theft. The cyber-crime world is alert to any potential places where personal information can be extracted easily and used to steal money, identities, and ultimately take advantage of good credit ratings.

    By GRAHAM DOESSEL Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Repairs and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au.

    We like to alert readers to any places where their personal information may be at risk.

    Recently, a security expert, Michael Sentonas warned ABC’s gaming readers of the need to keep their personal information safe. In the article ‘Cyber threats a reality in online gaming.’ One area of threat he identifies is data breach. He says the Sony Playstation data breach was a major example of how gamer’s personal information can easily be compromised.

    Sony Australia confirmed in April last year that the personal information of all PlayStation Network account holders worldwide had fallen into the wrong hands. All users were at grave risk of identity theft with the hackers having access to all names, addresses, email addresses, birthdates, usernames, passwords, logins, security questions and more. The NSW Police fraud squad said it was enough information for the hackers to even take out loans on the vicitms’ behalf. Luckily, there were no Australian cases of credit card or identity fraud eventuating from the attack.

    Aside from data breaches, Sentonas pinpoints some of the ways individual gamers can be put at risk:

    “Gamers who mainly engage in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) such as World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2 and Final Fantasy XIV and social networking games via Facebook have several common threats to watch out for including gold keylogging, phishing and gaming bots.

    Gold keylogging aims to steal “gold” (the currency and valuables a gamer accumulates within a game) and often manifests itself as a Trojan disguising itself as a normal application. A keylogging Trojan tracks the keys typed on a keyboard while the person using the keyboard is unaware. This allows the hacker to obtain your login and password information. A keylogging virus fulfils the same aim however it is designed to replicate itself and spread from computer to computer.

    Phishing on the other hand is a much more direct form of cybercrime that occurs via email or instant messaging. The email or instant message looks identical to the game’s official service and will pop up during a game or appear in your email inbox for example. Phishers attempt to acquire people’s personal information, such as banking details or logins and passwords. They pretend to be an honest business distributing an apparently official electronic communication. A typical phishing email asks you to ‘renew your registration / account’. Reputable businesses will not send you random emails or pop ups asking for your personal or financial information.

    While gaming bots may not be a direct cyber threat in terms of stealing personal information or attacking bank accounts, they have a clear advantage over real life players in online gaming. Most bots usually play with far higher accuracy than most real life players which essentially constitutes cheating. Players also use gaming bots to control their character while they are away from their computer or console. This allows them to keep the account running to enable the player to accumulate money, objects and experience without having to be in front of the screen,” Sentonas says.

    He also warns about the security threats ensuing from mobile devices, which are virtual portable PC’s, at risk of the same if not more security threats than people’s actual computer. Sentonas explains how gamers can be at risk from their smartphone:

    “Users should mainly be looking out for malicious mobile apps and games. Some apps are specifically designed with malicious components to secretly track users’ phone calls, text messages and emails to gather potentially sensitive data. Dangerous apps are usually offered for free and masquerade as fun applications. For example, last year 4.6 million Android smartphone users downloaded a suspicious wallpaper app that collected and transmitted user data to a site in China,” he says.

    He recommends a couple of vital ways gamers can protect themselves against these threats. Gamers should only install apps and games from official stores from their platforms of choice. He also says a little research such as reading user reviews and checking into the developer would go a long way in protecting against identity theft.

    “To help protect your disc-based games, we recommend making reliable backup copies of your saved games (using a USB flash drive) to protect your investment. Avoid storing personal information on the gaming device and consider using security software that protects PCs, tablets and smartphones as well. If children play online games, we recommend parents educate their children to not play with strangers over the internet. Parents should also consider activity-monitoring tools and utilising built-in parental controls,” Sentonas says.

    The threats and ramifications of identity theft are real and debilitating. Currently it is the fastest growing crime in Australia, with 1 in 6 people reporting being affected by it. If credit is taken out by fraudsters in the victim’s name, they can end up with their bank accounts emptied or at worse, defaults on their credit file – and this is not easy to recover from. First the victim has to prove they didn’t initiate the credit themselves. This would require documentary evidence and Police reports. But the identity theft victim would be virtually banned from obtaining credit until they are able to wade through the mess that has been created for them on their credit report, and clear their good name.

    For help with credit repair following identity theft, contact MyCRA Credit Repairs on 1300 667 218 or visit our main website www.mycra.com.au.

    Image: David Castillo Dominici/ Freedigitalphotos.net