Millions of people enjoy playing video games. Some do it to escape the stresses of their everyday lives, while others use it as an opportunity to socialize and make new friends. Whatever the reason, gaming can be a fun and rewarding experience. But it’s not without its risks. To get the most out of your live Facebook gaming experience and to stay safe while doing so, follow these ten tips.
1. Don’t Overshare
Be aware of the information you’re sharing on your profile and with whom. Keep in mind that anything you post on Facebook is public information, which means that anyone – including identity thieves and scammers – can see it. So be thoughtful about what you share and with whom you share it.
2. Use Strong Passwords
Use strong passwords for all of your accounts, not just Facebook. A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words like “password” or your name. And never reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
3. Test Your Equipment
If you’re going to be streaming your gameplay, make sure your equipment is up to the task. That includes your computer, internet connection, webcam, microphone, and any other hardware you’ll be using. Before you go live, perform a microphone and webcam test. The last thing you want is for your stream to freeze or crash in the middle of a game.
4. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
When you’re streaming, people can see and hear everything around you. So if you have young children in the house, or pets that might make noise, it’s best to stream from a location where they won’t be disruptive. Likewise, if you live with roommates, let them know that you’ll be streaming and ask them to give you some space during your broadcast.
5. Keep Chat Clean
Most streaming platforms have a chat feature that allows viewers to interact with the person who’s broadcasting. While it can be fun to chat with viewers, it’s important to keep things clean. That means no profanity, personal attacks, or another offensive language. If someone is being disrespectful, use the platform’s reporting feature to let the moderators know.
6. Be Careful About What You Click
When you’re in a game, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and click on things without thinking about them first. But that can be a dangerous habit, as many malicious websites and software programs are designed to look like harmless game elements. So, take a moment to think before you click, and only click on links from sources that you trust.
7. Stay Up-To-Date on Security
Keep your computer’s security software up-to-date and run regular scans to check for malware. It’s also a good idea to set up two-factor authentication for your accounts, which adds an extra layer of security.
8. Avoid Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient, but they’re also one of the most common ways for hackers to gain access to people’s accounts. If possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi when gaming or streaming. If you must use public Wi-Fi, be sure to use a VPN (a virtual private network) to encrypt your traffic and protect your information.
9. Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
In addition to security software, it’s important to keep all of the software on your computer up-to-date. That includes your operating system, web browser, and any games or other programs you have installed. Developers often release updates to patch security vulnerabilities and fix other bugs.
10. Set Up Voice Chat
If you’re playing online multiplayer games, voice chat can be a great way to communicate with other players. Most gaming headsets come with a microphone, so all you need to do is set up voice chat in the game or on the platform you’re using.
Have Fun!
Remember, gaming is supposed to be fun. So don’t take it too seriously and don’t put yourself in situations where you’re likely to get frustrated or upset. If you are not enjoying yourself, take a break and come back later. There’s no shame in taking a break from time to time – we all need it.
