Hacked online gaming account

Lots of money moves around in popular online games and they have become a profitable target for cyber criminals. When your online gaming account is compromised it is critical that you act fast.

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Hacked online gaming account - Do this first!

1. Change your password - If you can still log into your account then follow the usual process to reset your password. Make this a strong password that you have never used before.

2. Turn on two-factor authentication - With the rise in premium currency in games many online accounts are now targeted by hackers. Almost all good gaming accounts now give you the option to turn on two-factor authentication - Steam Guard is a good example of this. Turn this on now. This site will help you understand what it is and tell you how to turn it on.

3. Change your log in details to other sites that use the same - or similar - username and password - Any other online accounts with the same or similar log in details need to be changed immediately. It is highly likely that a cyber criminal will check other popular sites as soon as they get into your gaming account.

4. Report the unauthorized access to the gaming provider - Let the provider know your account was hacked and they will follow an evidence preservation procedure at their end. Useful if you need it in a legal case later.

Approaches to dealing with a hacked online gaming account

Follow these steps now you have changed your password and turned on two-factor authentication:

1. Check your account security settings - Go into your accounts settings and find the security settings area. Check what devices and apps are connected and disconnect any you don’t recognize. Check recent log ins and screenshot the information of unauthorized log ins - most provide time, date, IP address, browser type and device type.

2. Scan your devices for malware - There are a number of ways the perpetrator may have got your log in details - from a past breach (you can check known breaches here), guessed it, seen you type it in or you may have told them in the past. However, they could also have malicious software on one of your devices that gives them access to what you type into websites. Scan all of the devices you use to access your account with an anti-virus solution and remove any malware.

3. Check your account activity & settings - Try to gain a picture of what the cyber criminal did when they had access to your account. Check your purchase history, download history and any other in game activity.

4. Set up a recovery email - If you haven’t already set up a recovery email or phone number go to your settings and do this now. If you get hacked in future and get locked out of your account this will give you a way back in.

5. Think about the repercussions of someone having access to the data in your account - Review what information is in your account and use it to make changes to limit what the criminal can do with it. For example the content of any private chats may expose personal data about you or others.

6. Warn others that your account was compromised - If people in your gaming contacts were communicated with by the hacker then let them know it wasn’t you and tell them they should look at their own security. They may have copied your contacts and plan to target them, so letting your contacts know is good practice.

7. If you are completely locked out - If you have been completely locked out of your account then follow the providers account recovery process. If you have not set up the recovery process before you may need to raise a case with the provider and work to prove that you own the account.

Link to online gaming provider guidance

The following takes you to information and guides provided directly by popular gaming account providers:

Gaming Providers' Official Account Recovery Guides

• Steam: Steam Support

• PlayStation Network (PSN): Sony Support

• Xbox One (Microsoft): Microsoft Support

• Epic Games (Fortnite): Epic Support

• EA Games (FIFA, Apex Legends): EA Support

• Minecraft: Minecraft Support

• Pokemon Go: Niantic Support

How do I stop my online gaming accounts being hacked again?

1. Do not try and sell your gaming accounts - often criminals will offer to buy your account from you. However, more often than not they trick you into giving them access to the account, change the passwords and never pay you any money.

2. Get good at passwords - Use strong passwords, use different passwords on each site, never share them and change them regularly. Use a password manager app to help you do this. See some good guidance here.

3. Commit to two-factor authentication - Two-factor is a way to improve your security drastically in one easy step. Use it on every site that offers it. You can get more information here.

4. Be careful clicking or downloading - Tricking you to share your password by sending you trick emails or texts is a really common way to have your passwords stolen. As is downloading attachments in email that contain malicious software. Be extremely careful when clicking online links or opening/downloading online attachments.

5. Get secure - Take time to improve your general online security. Use sites like Get Safe Online and Cyber Aware to understand what good security looks like and make changes.

Legal Remedies Under Indian Law

If your gaming account is hacked, it is a cybercrime under Indian law. You can take legal action under the following sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860:

1. Unauthorized Access to Online Accounts

• Section 43(a) of IT Act, 2000 – If someone gains unauthorized access to your gaming account, they are liable to pay compensation for damages caused.

• Section 66 of IT Act, 2000 – If hacking is done with fraudulent intent, it becomes a punishable offense with imprisonment of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.

2. Identity Theft & Password Theft

• Section 66C of IT Act, 2000 – Identity theft by using stolen passwords or personal information is punishable with up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.

3. Cheating & Online Fraud

• Section 66D of IT Act, 2000 – Impersonation or online fraud using gaming accounts can result in 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh.

• Section 420 of IPC, 1860 – If the hacker uses your account to cheat others or make purchases, they can be imprisoned for up to 7 years along with a fine.

4. Publishing or Sharing Personal Information Without Consent

• Section 72 of IT Act, 2000 – If any private chats or personal data from your account are shared without your consent, the offender can be punished with imprisonment of up to 2 years and/or a fine of ₹1 lakh.

5. Cyber Stalking & Online Harassment

• Section 354D of IPC, 1860 – If someone hacks your account to stalk or harass you, they can be punished with up to 3 years of imprisonment for the first offense and 5 years for subsequent offenses.

Report Cybercrime in India

If your gaming account is hacked and used for fraud, report it to:

• Cybercrime Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in

• Cyber Cell Helpline: 1930

• Local Police Station (for cases involving financial fraud or identity theft).

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