Gaming is incredibly enjoyable, yet it’s crucial to keep certain key points in mind to avoid losing access to your account or, even worse, your funds. Whether you’re playing just for fun or aiming to win some cash, here are a few ways to ensure your safety while gaming online. Although these suggestions are relevant to general online gaming, they hold particular significance for online gambling.

While many leading crypto casinos in Canada, the U.S., and beyond implement measures to safeguard your funds, the ability to enjoy instant withdrawals is an added benefit. It’s essential to use robust passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and remain cautious about offers that seem excessively favorable—they often are too good to be true.

## Password Security

A key method to secure yourself while gaming online is to maintain strong password practices. You will be doing yourself a favor if you, for example, utilize different logins for different accounts. Considering that, unfortunately, passwords do get stolen or leaked, if one of your passwords is compromised, hackers won’t be able to guess your other passwords. The fact that up to 16 billion logins were compromised in the summer of 2025 highlights how vital this precaution is.

Remember as well that your gaming account likely links to your payment and personal information, adding another layer of necessity to uphold password hygiene. Your password should ideally consist of 12 to 15 characters, mixing upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, avoiding anything related to your personal details, such as your name, birthdate, or easily associated items like your pet’s name. Additionally, remember to periodically change your passwords to maintain security.

## Two-factor Authentication

For enhancing security, employing two-factor authentication (2FA) is an effective strategy to significantly improve your account’s safety. This method combines something you know—your password—with something you possess, typically your mobile phone. By downloading a suitable authenticator app for your device and linking it to your account, access to your information becomes considerably more difficult for hackers.

They might possess your password, but they won’t have your mobile device. A Microsoft survey revealed that over 99.9 percent of compromised accounts lacked 2FA activation, demonstrating that 2FA provides a commendable level of protection. Most gaming platforms, including Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox, and Nintendo, offer authentication services, so as long as you activate them, your data should remain protected. It’s wise to note that you will often receive a backup code, which can be essential if your phone is lost or stolen, or if you lose access to the authenticator app during a mobile upgrade. Ensure to store this code somewhere other than your phone for added security.

## Be Wary Of Scammers

In games featuring a robust social component, you may find yourself approached by scammers, realizing too late that you’re being exploited. Scammers typically target individuals with enticing offers for exclusive items, encourage clicks on unofficial links, prompt trades of in-game items on unofficial sites, or even propose mods or unapproved content. Exercise caution when confronted with such situations.

A significant warning sign is when they request your login information, codes, or account access. Once they succeed, they can gain access to your payment details or install malware on your device. Two critical principles to remember here: First, if something appears too good to be true, it likely is. Second, if someone promises you something in exchange for your login details, passcodes, or account access, it’s undoubtedly a scam. You should ignore them, block them, and report the incident.

## Keep Safe On WiFi

One aspect that often goes overlooked, but should be considered, is the security of your internet connection. Simply put, it’s vital to ensure that no one can infiltrate your account and that your network remains as private as possible. If your connection isn’t secure, hackers might intercept your login details, install malware, monitor your online activities, and possibly gain access to your device or accounts. Avoid gaming on public WiFi networks, and if you’re gaming at home, ensure your home internet connection uses WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, and don’t casually share your password. Instead, consider establishing a guest WiFi network, which allows others to play securely without compromising your safety. It may also be beneficial to employ a VPN for additional security.

Konami has formally announced the cancellation of the original soundtrack and vinyl collection for “Silent Hill f,” and will be issuing refunds to individuals who pre-ordered. Although the game debuted successfully, exceeding one million sales by September 29, fans are disheartened by the cancellation. The soundtrack was scheduled for release on December 17, 2025, but Konami attributed the decision to “various circumstances.” Fans have voiced their dissatisfaction on platforms such as Reddit, particularly since the “Silent Hill 2” soundtrack was launched without complications. Konami has not shared additional information regarding the cancellation.

I have just finished my second preview phase for *Anno 117: Pax Romana*, and surprisingly, I’m still not a master. I’m discovering that the *Anno* franchise has a way of humbling those who consider themselves connoisseurs of strategy or city-building games. With the game’s November launch approaching, I’ve invested another 10-15 hours into *Anno 117: Pax Romana*, and while I still wouldn’t call myself proficient, I’m eager to devote a hundred more hours.

To start, I played this game on both my [ROG Xbox Ally X](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/rog-xbox-ally-x-handheld/) in docked mode and my PC equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce 4080 GPU. I’m continually amazed by the breathtaking visuals of *Anno 117: Pax Romana*. Even though the [Xbox Ally X](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/rog-xbox-ally-handheld/) lacks some power, the game remains visually striking, but switching to PC for sandbox mode had me frequently zooming in to observe my little citizens at work. It doesn’t operate as smoothly on the handheld, yet it was more than adequate. If you have the chance to run *Anno 117: Pax Romana* at 4K, I highly suggest you do so.

I covered some fundamentals in my initial [preview of *Anno 117: Pax Romana*](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/anno-117-pax-romana-hands-on/), so I recommend checking that out for more insights. You’ll find information about resource management, fulfilling your populace’s needs, and many of my early errors. In this preview session, I managed to engage more with the campaign and also enjoyed some time in sandbox mode, which has been incredibly enjoyable.

### “I am still in awe of how truly stunning Anno 117: Pax Romana is.”

Within the campaign, you are tasked with world-building while following a narrative, of course. You can choose to assume the role of Marcia Tertia, Decimus’s daughter, a reserved girl meant for marriage, or Marcus Naukratius, Decimus’s son, who finds himself working due to his rebellious nature. I chose to follow Marcia’s path, championing girl power!

Honestly, I was somewhat taken aback as I navigated the storyline in *Anno 117: Pax Romana.* I had anticipated some political elements, but there are sections that delve into pure soap opera theatrics! I won’t give away specific plot points, but it felt a bit exaggerated, and I’m not even far into the narrative yet. There’s a lot of intrigue surrounding Marcia’s storyline, and I am keen to uncover more.

However, it feels like the story is only partially integrated into the gameplay in *Anno 117: Pax Romana*. In Marcia’s case, there’s a quest that resembles someone repeatedly asking, “how about now?” Once you experience it, you’ll get what I mean. This occurs very early in the narrative, so hopefully, the quests will have greater significance as I progress. Only time will reveal that, and *Anno 117: Pax Romana* is sure to consume plenty of mine.

Sandbox mode is where I found myself wanting to invest the majority of my time in *Anno 117: Pax Romana*—and that’s not typical of me. Even without a defined story, the game still adheres to a clear progression path. You must collect wood to construct houses, which allows you to attract the initial group of villagers: the Liberti. After this, you need to satisfy their requirements to cultivate a thriving town, transitioning systematically from the lowest tier of villagers upward.

Houses upgrade to draw in new types of residents, the Plebeians. These individuals bring new needs, and the cycle continues. I had thought that playing through the campaign would offer the best learning experience, but in my case, sandbox mode accelerated my skills much quicker than the campaign in *Anno 117: Pax Romana.* In the same time frame spent on the campaign, I acquired about half the knowledge I gained in sandbox mode.

So, what did I gain from this? I suspect I’ve merely skimmed the surface. While I had a taste during my initial session with *Anno 117: Pax Romana,* this time I truly immersed myself in the game. During this period, I successfully established a town with hundreds of inhabitants and operations, built ships, explored new islands, initiated new settlements on those islands, and then mysteriously lost everyone on my first island because I forgot to pause. Lesson learned. We still have not