Gaming and interactive entertainment are among the fastest-growing online industries. Business data platform Statista reports that there are close to two billion online gamers, with that number expected to grow to almost three billion by 2021. By building a security infrastructure that seamlessly integrates cyber threat intelligence (CTI) from a range of sources, including the deep and dark web, gaming companies are taking proactive steps to defend its users against some of world’s most advanced and active threats. By providing visibility into threat actors’ activities, along with fast integration into Ubisoft security controls, Anomali helps to automate the detection, investigation and response processes. Here are the gaming security policies which help to secure your compromised accounts:
EA Support
If you think your account may have been hacked but you can still access it, try to secure your account with these steps.
- Clear your browser cache.
- This deletes saved web info that can include old passwords.
- Reset your EA Account password.
- Choose a strong, unique password that uses a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Reset the password for the email address you use on your EA Account.
- Turn on Login Verification as an extra security step.
- This will send you a code to confirm your identity when a new device tries to log in to your EA account.
Once you’ve successfully completed these steps, your account should be secure. Keep monitoring your account for suspicious activity and reach out to EA if something doesn’t look right. EA also shares if they don’t work,they have asked to contact them for help.
Blizzard Support
If you think your Blizzard account has been hacked, follow the steps below to regain access to your account and prevent future compromises.
- Secure your computer to avoid being hacked again after you’ve regained access.
- Once you’ve secured your computer, submit a ticket to recover your account.
- While Customer Support reviews your case and restores access to your account, review the following common methods hackers use to steal your account.
After reviewing your case, Customer Support will ask you to add a Blizzard Authenticator. The Blizzard Authenticator is the best security feature to keep your Blizzard account safe from hackers.
Epic Games Support
Don’t use the same password for multiple sites and don’t give out your password—there are several steps you can take to make sure you’re protected from this kind of hack.
1) Make sure your computer and phone are up to date. Turn on auto-updates. This keeps your system secure against the latest threats.
2) Install an anti-virus and keep it up-to-date as well, even if you’re on a Mac or iOS where viruses are much less common. Again, this is incredibly obvious to PC users, but maybe less so for mobile users. There are many great free anti-virus options for PC, Mac, Android and iOS. A quick ‘best free antivirus for [insert system here]’ Google search will provide you with lots of options. I’ve used everything from Avast to Bitdefender to Kasperksy and more and there’s pros and cons to each of them.
3) Link your social media and Fortnite accounts. Epic Games has provided this option and it allows you to sign into Fortnite via your social media account and recover your account via your social media account if it’s compromised (or you forget your login.) Of course, your social media accounts can also be hacked. It happens all the time. That’s why #4 is the most important on this list.
4) Sign up for two-step verification/two-factor sign-in. You should do this for all your accounts, whether that’s your Gmail account or your Steam account or any other account that offers this service. Epic Games does offer two-step verification, and here’s how you do it:
- Go to your Account Settings and click on the Password and Security tab. Scroll to the bottom and click the Enable Two-Factor Sign In button.
- Once you sign up you’ll receive an email verifying your account. Do that and you’ll be all set.
- Now the first time you sign in on a new device, or if it’s been over 30 days since signing in, you’ll be required to enter the two-factor code to login. This means that even if a hacker has your password they won’t be able to login without the second code (sent to your phone, for instance.)
- Even if you don’t sign up for multi-factor authentication you should still verify your email address with Epic.
If you have already been hacked, contact Epic Games
Xbox Support
The first thing to do if you think that you’ve been hacked is to go to Microsoft’s website for compromised accounts. Here, you’ll be guided through the process of finding out what exactly happened. First, you’ll select whether or not you are able to log in to your account. If you can’t and it’s because of your password (whether you’ve forgotten it or you think someone else might have changed it), select “no.”
Selecting “no” takes you to another page where you’re instructed to change your password on the “Why can’t I sign in?” screen. Provided either are registered to the account, you’ll receive a code to your email or phone. If you can’t use any of these options, you’re prompted to enter a new email address where you’ll receive an account recovery form. In this form you’ll answer as many questions about your account and old login information as you can remember before getting a password recovery email.
If you selected “yes” in the beginning because you are able to log in to your account, you’ll find that Microsoft has locked it because they’ve detected suspicious activity. At this point, you’ll get a security code sent to the email address of the phone number that you have on file, and after verification, your account will be unlocked and you can change your password. From here, you’ll review recent activity and fix anything in your account that may have been changed by a hacker, like personal and billing information.
If none of those options work for you, or if purchases have been made and you know that you and others like family or friends with access to your account didn’t make them, you’ll need to contact Microsoft directly through Xbox support.
Play Station Support
- If you get a notification email for a purchase you don’t remember making, then you should take action straight away. The second that you think someone has accessed your PSN account, you should take action by informing a report.
- As with most security breaches, the first and simplest step you should take should be to change your password. There are two methods to do this, depending on if you’re on a console or your PC/phone.
– On Console: Go to your settings menu, then press on ‘Account Management,’ ‘Account Information,’ ‘Security,’ and finally on ‘Password.’ To enter the security menu, you may be required to re-enter your current password to confirm your identity. On the final screen, you can enter your existing and new passwords to change them.
– On PC: Log into your PSN account, then click your account picture on the top-right of the screen. In the drop-down menu that appears, click on ‘Account Settings.’ You may be asked to provide your login information again to confirm your identity. On the main Sony Entertainment Network page, click on ‘Security’ on the left side of the screen. On the new ‘Security’ page, click ‘edit’ on the password heading, and you’ll be able to enter your new password.
- If you cannot log into your account to change the password, then you’ll have to go with PSN account recovery. For the best results, use your PC/phone/laptop to go to the Sony Entertainment Network page. Click on ‘Trouble signing in?’ under the login screen. On the next page, press ‘Reset your password.’ Now you can enter your email to receive a password reset link.
- Once you’ve secured your PlayStation Network account from would-be thieves, you need to keep it secure. As well as keeping your security info up-to-date, 2FA (2-Factor Authentication) is a great feature to help secure your account. On the ‘Security’ tab of your settings page, make sure that you’ve already attached your phone number to your account. Then click ‘edit’ on the two-factor authentication tab. You can now turn on the feature which will send codes to your phone to allow you access.
Nintendo Support
- Change your Nintendo Account password.
- Change the password associated to your Nintendo Account.
- If you don’t remember your Nintendo Account password or log-in information, reset your password.
- If your Nintendo Account is linked to a Nintendo Network ID, you can change the NNID password on a Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family
- If you suspect a linked NNID has been compromised, you can also unlink it from your Nintendo Account to prevent further access.
- Sign out of all devices associated with your Nintendo Account.
- Sign into your Nintendo Account on the Nintendo Account website, select “Sign-In and Security Settings” in your account profile, and select “View” beside your sign-in history. Select “Sign out on all other devices”.
- This will disassociate the Nintendo Account from any devices on which it was previously signed in. You will need to sign in again on each device using the new password to associate your Nintendo Account again.
- Set up two-step verification securityfor your Nintendo Account.
- Two-step verification adds an additional layer of security that can help prevent unauthorised access to the account.
- Delete any stored credit cardor Paypal account information from your Nintendo Account.
- If your Nintendo Account is linked to Facebook, Google, Apple, or Twitter, it is recommended that you change the password for those accounts.
- It is possible that one of those accounts was compromised, which allowed access to your Nintendo Account.
- Visit the appropriate company’s website and use their help area for instructions about how to update your password.
- If you suspect a linked Facebook, Twitter, Apple, or Google account has been compromised, you can also unlink it from your Nintendo Accountto prevent further access.
- If your Nintendo Account is linked to a Nintendo Network ID, and you suspect that the Nintendo Network ID was compromised, it is recommended that you change its password.
- You can change the Nintendo Network ID password on a Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family system.
- If you are unable to change the Nintendo Network ID password, you can unlink it from your Nintendo Account.
Ubisoft Support
- Have you lost access to your Ubisoft account? Connect to Ubisoft account access support via Live Chat from 9:30am – 2:30am EST, 7 days a week.
- Contact an account specialist by selecting the issue below that is blocking access to your account.
- Additionally, if you are having trouble signing into your Ubisoft account on one of their sites, please try clearing your cookies and cache, utilizing an incognito or private browsing window, or using a different browser altogether.
- The problem of compromised account will only be solved by submitting a form of three steps which includes- linked email address with Ubisoft account, additional information of compromised account, proof of owning the account. Additionally, a verification link will be sent to the email address associated with your Ubisoft Account, clicking the link will help them verify your account. This will initiate the process of live chat with the representative who will further help in solving the issue.
In most cases, the ultimate responsibility for keeping accounts secure lies with the players. However, this does not mean that developers, publishers, and distributors will not do anything to help their players’ accounts stay as secure as possible. Like above listed gaming companies all others provide some or the other way similar supports to the players for securing their compromised accounts.