Gamers Worry about the Future State of Gaming Security

McAfee Survey Finds Gamers Take Their Cybersecurity Seriously,
However Actions Don’t Map Back to Concerns

ADDITIONAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:

Three-quarters of gamers worry about the security of gaming in the
future. Fifty-five percent of gamers reuse passwords across accounts for
online services. The average gamer has experienced almost five cyberattacks. SANTA CLARA, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) McAfee has released results from its survey,

Game Over: The Future of

, finding that while gamers profess to exhibit good

cybersecurity habits there’s still work to do. The survey found that 75

percent of PC gamers identified security as the element that concerns

them most about the future of gaming. The concern from gamers is

justified given that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) have or know someone

who has been directly affected by a cyberattack.

“We found that gamers are most certainly concerned about cybersecurity,

however they tend to engage in poor security habits,” said Gary Davis,

chief consumer security evangelist at McAfee. “As PC gaming continues to

grow in popularity, it’s important for gamers to take steps to help keep

their device and personal information protected.”

The survey found that gamers are taking some of the right steps in order

to secure their PCs like installing antivirus software (83 percent),

however they are also engaging in risky or ineffective behavior that

could put them at risk.

Fifty-five percent of gamers reuse passwords across multiple online
accounts potentially putting themselves at risk if their password is
cracked. Thirty-six percent rely on incognito or private browsing to keep their
PC protected. Forty-one percent read the privacy policies associated with games and
services, but like private browsing, this technique won’t help keep a
PC secure.

To help gamers stay safe, McAfee has developed the following tips:

Use unique passwords for all online accounts . Reusing passwords
makes it easy for a cybercriminal to gain access to other accounts and
sensitive information more easily once they have cracked one password. Use a firewall . Gamers should use a firewall to help keep would
be attackers out of the PC and network. Think before clicking. Users should never click on links in
messages from people they don’t know. Cybercriminals can use
phishingemails that have links that lead to websites that can lure
users into giving personal information or downloadmalware. Use comprehensive security. To ensure devices continue to run
free of malware, use a comprehensive security solution like

McAfee

Total Protection

that can help keep devices protected against
malware, phishing attacks, and other threats.

Survey Methodology

McAfee commissioned OnePoll to conduct a survey of 1,000 U.S. residents

who play video games on a PC/laptop at least four times a month and

spend at least $200 annually on gaming.

About McAfee

McAfee is the device-to-cloud cybersecurity company. Inspired by the

power of working together, McAfee creates business and consumer

solutions that make our world a safer place. www.mcafee.com .

McAfee technologies’ features and benefits depend on system

configuration and may require enabled hardware, software, or service

activation. No computer system can be absolutely secure. McAfee and the

McAfee logo are trademarks of McAfee, LLC or its subsidiaries in the

United States and other countries. Other marks and brands may be claimed

as the property of others.

Contacts

McAfee

Mary Salvaggio, 646-527-5858

mary_salvaggio@mcafee.com

Hotwire Global

Maya Nimnicht, 510-334-6273

mcafee.consumer@hotwireglobal.com

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