Playing games on your phone can be thrilling. Whether you love classic adventure games or prefer something that gets you thinking critically, there’s an incredible variety of game types and platforms to choose from.

But no matter how you prefer to play, safety should always come first. From choosing trustworthy applications to knowing how to change your browser settings, here’s how to stay secure when you’re gaming on your phone.

• Protect your personal data

Firstly, it’s important to know how to secure your personal information while you’re gaming. Remember, other players might not be who they seem!

When you start playing a new game, you’ll usually be asked to set up a personal profile. To keep your account secure and your identity hidden, we recommend that you:

• Use a memorable alias to hide your real name from other players
• Enable two-factor authentication to limit unauthorised access
• Avoid sharing personal data on gameplay chat functions, even if you think it’s trivial 
• Set strong passwords, preferably with uppercase letters and special characters

• Beware of phishing scams

Cybercriminals often use phishing tactics to trick gamers. Across the UK, phishing is by far the most common form of cyberattack: at least four in five businesses experienced a phishing attack between 2023 and 2024.

These involve emails or messages which try to persuade you to click on a link, which may then ask you for personal data. Young people and individual gamers are also at risk of these attacks.

Be cautious about clicking on suspicious links, especially in gaming messages or pop-up ads. Knowing how to spot a scam could save your identity from being stolen.

• Understand in-game purchases

In-app purchases make games feel more exciting, but it’s important to use these features responsibly and understand how they work.

You can usually enable certain settings to avoid overspending on apps. If necessary, you should also be able to disable all additional purchases.

If you’d like to play a spin game online, you can benefit from tombola’s unique Safeplay features. These help you to easily set spending limits for a safe and enjoyable gameplay experience.

• Keep your device software updated

Regular updates to your phone’s operating system and applications will help to protect it against security vulnerabilities that might be exploited while you’re playing. If you use an older software, hackers could bypass your device without a trace. 

If your device is even remotely accessed, cyber criminals could collect your login details, home address, payment information, and so much more sensitive information. Try to make sure that your device and apps are always running the latest version.

• Stay sensible

Finally, don’t forget to monitor and control your gaming habits. Playing should be something you find fun, not something that you feel compelled to return to. Plus, if you lose track of time while you’re gaming, you might be more likely to feel tired and lose your best judgment. 

It’s important to stay aware while you’re playing – both of your own gameplay and enjoyment and wider safety considerations too.