Protect Yourself From Threats On Online Gaming Platforms, Security Experts Give This Advice

Roblox games can be a scam field for cybercriminals (photo: Kaspersky)

JAKARTA - Recently, an unknown hacker published internal documents online, revealing how Roblox, one of the most popular gaming platforms for children in the world, is moderating content.

The document provides insight into the targeting of children by predators on the platform and how the platform is being leveraged for child grooming efforts.

Additionally, one issue identified in the document is that although the Roblox system scans 100 percent of submitted abuse reports, only about 10 percent are actionable. This shows that even on gaming platforms, where content is moderated, there remains a significant amount of risk to children.

Roblox is an online gaming platform that allows users to create game simulations and their own virtual locations, where they can play in different locations or invite other users.

There are innocuous and very popular locations, where users can choose a pet and take care of it, or cross obstacles with their character.

The genres of such games are virtually limitless and the number of daily active users reaches 50 million by the end of 2021, most of whom are school-age children.

Kaspersky security researcher Andrey Sidenko said it was unfortunate because in the game world, users also have the potential to meet online fraudsters, who could be members of a chosen game or even its author.

Sidenko continued, threats from them can come either in the game world, they often show aggression, deception or intimidation.

"For example, a Roblox game world theme could be used to create a phishing resource to steal logins and passwords from accounts and subsequently withdraw funds from victims; or under the guise of in-game currency (Robux) users could be offered to register under real names or pay for the “no-lose lottery”, and it will result in nothing but material losses,” he said in the release.

While Roblox has a content moderation system, you can't rely on it completely. This can be especially dangerous for schoolchildren, who lack experience and may not be aware of some basic cybersecurity rules.

Here are some rules to help not only protect your data, but also to protect you and your children from harm in the online space:

• Don't share your real name, place of residence, school, or other personal information that could help attackers identify you in the real world.
• Only chat with users you know personally; don't chat with strangers on Roblox or anywhere else.
• Use a complex and unique password and always end the session at the end of the game, especially if you choose to connect from an unknown device. Don't forget to use two-factor authentication.
• Roblox uses an internal content monitoring system and if you find unwanted advertisements, online fraud, any type of harassment or aggression towards you or other users, you should report it to a moderator.
• Critically evaluate the information you encounter in the game world. Perpetrators can use a variety of techniques, including social engineering. For example, they may offer you a reward in the form of in-game currency (Robux) for personal information. If someone offers this to you, then it's most likely a "self-interested" scam.
• Use an antivirus solution and a parental control program to ensure your child can use the Internet safely.