Social Security - Potential risks in Online Games & Social Networks
ENISA - the European Network and Information Security Agency - has recently published a report which highlights the Security and Privacy concerns in Online Games and Social and Corporate Virtual Worlds, followed by a Video report.
The report itself has been drafted, based on the results of a survey of 1500 users of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG) and Virtual Worlds (VWs). Before making a number of recommendations, it describes risks including:
- privacy risks in MMO’s
- in-game access-control vulnerabilities
- scripting vulnerabilities
- denial of service
- spam and threats to minors.
The main threat is from malicious programs that target online games and virtual worlds to steal online game passwords and subsequently virtual property accumulated in a user’s account, which is then sold for real money. The failure to recognise the importance of protecting the real-money value locked up in this grey-zone of the economy is leading to an exponential increase in attacks targeting online MMO/VWs.
Who should read this report?
The target audiences are IT staff, in the business world, education and the third sector, to ensure the ability to securely move through these environments. It also targets end-users in general, to raise awareness of the risks related to the use of social media and multiplayer online gaming.
About ENISA
The European Network and Information Security Agency is an EU agency created to advance the functioning of the internal market. ENISA is a centre of excellence for the European Member States and European institutions in network and information security, giving advice and recommendations and acting as a switchboard of information for good practices. Moreover, the agency facilitates contacts between the European institutions, the Member States and private business and industry actors.
