Whether it’s from online criminals stealing personal information or abusive messages from defeated rivals, gamers come under attack. However, from world-famous celebrities to passionate players, almost everyone is turning to some form of gaming in the modern environment. No gamer should have to face cyber-attacks or abuse while playing, though.
To combat it, many gamers make sure they’re gaming safely by keeping tabs on various aspects of their gaming marathons and ensuring they’re harder for hackers to compromise. Sadly, it’s just the world we live in now, with gaming accounts breached, PCs harmed with viruses, and malicious content being sent in messages by the community. As mentioned, though, there are some steps regular gamers can take to add an additional layer of security to their gaming-related adventures when they’re next online.
So, without further ado, below we highlight five of the safest ways to play video games in 2026. Whether you’re a keen PlayStation 5 player or you’re an avid mobile gamer, we’ve got you covered here.
Keep your devices updated
Kicking things off with a basic piece of advice many gamers aren’t on top of, keeping your devices up to date with the latest software is vitally important. Not only can updates improve performance and add new features to use, but they also patch security vulnerabilities, protect your personal data, and fix bugs. Whether you game through a smartphone device or a laptop, always ensure your software is up to date.
Focus on account security
Whether it’s with your PlayStation account or any digital storefronts you use, such as Steam, focusing on account security and making sure your accounts are tough to breach is key. To add an additional layer of security to your precious gaming-related accounts, unique passwords are essential. You could also even use a password manager to store your passwords and to help you create tough-to-crack passwords. Turning on two-factor authentication is also highly recommended. Additionally, should you engage in any chats with players online, don’t share any personal information. Likewise, your personal accounts shouldn’t reveal too much about yourself either. Also, if you receive abusive messages, don’t be afraid to use the block button.
Use a VPN
These days, an increasing amount of people are also turning to VPNs to give them further peace of mind. Called virtual private networks, a typical VPN by the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark essentially masks your online activity by routing your web traffic through an encrypted and therefore more secure server. A nightmare for hackers, VPNs really work. On top of this, many leading VPNs also offer DDoS protection, malware blocking, and split-tunnelling features.
Only explore reputable sites
Of course, alongside downloading mobile games and tucking into console masterpieces, many people explore games online through a variety of websites. However, not every website out there is necessarily safe and secure. To avoid potential issues, only opt for reputable websites with strong security features, such as DraftKings casino and leading titles like Saint Kicked. Likewise, Steam is a popular choice for many, while the Epic Games Store offers a curated library of titles for all types of gamers. Pogo is another solid option.
Avoid mods
While not every modded game out there is riddled with potential issues, many are. As such, if you’re open to sampling these adapted gaming titles by independent developers and fellow players, always make sure you’re downloading them from secure websites the modding community endorses. Likewise, read reviews, always use any antivirus software to scan any downloaded files, and only opt to play modded games from familiar developers.
