Children Clash With Scamming Clans In Popular Game
By: Jim Stickley and Tina Davis
December 22, 2017
Supercell, creator of Clash of Clans, Clash Royal, Boom Beach and other popular online games was hacked. It left over one million victims (mostly the kids who play them) shaking their heads. Choosing to hack this demographic is particularly cruel. Knowing kids may be the most vulnerable to cyber hacking makes them easy targets. In the world of cybercrime, easy targets are the most vulnerable, and the most vulnerable are the most successful targets. Most often, parents are the ones left to deal with the cybercrime, and in some cases they become victims themselves.
Many players use social media to play, allowing hackers to infiltrate online accounts of children they’re playing with. A hacker only needs one child to access many others. In one case, a child was using a parent’s phone to play the game. Once the game was hacked, all information on the smartphone was stolen and deleted, leaving literally nothing on the phone. Data stolen from the players involves email ID’s, hacked passwords, IP addresses, and more. Teaching children how to guard themselves online is the first step to protecting them and you.
- All game players should immediately change their passwords at its website. While at it, change passwords for any other accounts using the same password.
- Keep a close eye on the mobile apps your kids are using. Always be present when they download new apps and review the type of information they collect. Some apps ask “permission” for all sorts of information they don’t necessarily need in order to install them. Some can even track your child’s location, so be sure to vet the app before approving.
- Never give passwords out to anyone, even best friends. The only exception to sharing is with their parents.
- Remind children that not everything they see online may be true. Anything suggesting a meetup, coming to your house, or asking for money or payment card numbers spells danger. There are bad actors out there just waiting to hook an unsuspecting child.
There are many web sites dealing specifically with kids and internet safety. A quick search on the Internet may save you hours or regret. The government offers a website for testing cyber smarts for kids https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids-quiz/. Check it out. If your child fails, you have an opportunity to point them in the right direction for the future.