Community ManagerEA Forums Online Security Newsletter - Volume 9/ 2026
Welcome to the ninth edition of EA Forums Online Security Newsletter
Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of the EA Forums Online Security Newsletter!
Last month, we explored Good Bots vs. Bad Bots in Gaming, looking at how automation itself isn't necessarily good or bad. Developer-sanctioned bots can have legitimate uses in games and development, while unauthorized automation can be used for cheating, abuse, or other harmful activities. Feel free to revisit the previous edition and discussion if you missed it or would still like to share your thoughts.
This month, we're moving closer to home and looking at home network security. Your router and Wi-Fi network connect your gaming PC, console, phone, smart TV, and often a whole collection of other devices to the internet. Keeping that network secure is another important part of protecting the accounts, devices, and information that depend on it.
Home Network Security
Your router is more than just the box that gives you Wi-Fi. It acts as a gateway between the devices in your home and the internet. When it's poorly configured or left with insecure settings, it can become an easier target for attackers. That means protecting your home network is not only about getting a better ping or avoiding disconnects. It's also about reducing unnecessary security risks.
Start with the basics: change default credentials. Routers and other connected devices can sometimes come with default or pre-installed credentials. Security guidance recommends changing these during setup and using strong, unique credentials instead. Reusing an easy password or leaving a default one unchanged can make it much easier for someone who discovers those credentials to gain access.
Your Wi-Fi password matters too. Modern home routers generally provide encrypted Wi-Fi connections, but it's still worth checking which security mode your router is using. CISA recommends using modern encryption such as WPA2 or WPA3 rather than older standards. A strong Wi-Fi password also helps prevent unauthorized devices from joining your network.
Don't forget about the devices already connected to your network. Gaming setups are no longer limited to a PC or console. Phones, smart TVs, streaming devices, speakers, cameras, printers, and other smart products may all be connected to the same network. Every additional connected device is something worth knowing about and keeping secure. Review devices you no longer use, change default passwords where applicable, and keep their software updated.
Updates are part of network security too. Your router has software and firmware just like your other devices. Keeping network equipment and connected devices updated can help address known security vulnerabilities. This is particularly important for devices that stay connected to the network continuously, even when you're not actively using them.
Convenience can sometimes work against security. Routers can include features designed to make connecting devices or managing your network easier. Before enabling additional functionality, consider whether you actually need it and what it does. If you're unsure about a particular setting, check your router manufacturer's documentation or contact your internet service provider rather than changing settings at random.
Security and connection quality are also two different things. A slow connection, packet loss, high ping, or matchmaking problem does not automatically mean your network has been compromised. Connection troubleshooting covers common connectivity issues such as restarting your router, checking Wi-Fi conditions, using a wired connection, and testing DNS settings. These steps can help diagnose gameplay problems, but they should not be confused with security hardening.
A good final check is simply to know what's on your network. Take a look at the devices connected to your router and ask whether you recognize them. Remove devices you no longer use, review the security settings of older connected products, and make sure important accounts and devices have their own strong authentication. You don't need to become a network engineer to improve your home security. A few sensible checks can make your gaming setup a much harder target.
- EA Help: Troubleshoot your connection to EA games
- EA Connection Quality Report
- NCSC: Device security guidance - Infrastructure
- CISA: Home Network Security
- EA Forums Online Security Newsletter Badge Handbook
Welcome to this volume's Community Spotlight! In our previous edition, we dived into the complex world of Good Bots vs. Bad Bots in Gaming, exploring how automated tools can both support game infrastructure and disrupt the player experience.
Deciphering the Digital Clues
Author: @Ellupelluellu
Repetitive actions (doing the same stuff over and over, nobody can do that forever. umm.. if paid enough, but not for long still..)
Weird activity schedules (online for 48 hours.. sleeping, anyone?)
Identical messaging ( "We feel you are extremely skilled player, we would like to help you to get better fast! If you buy this starter pack..." this is directly from the game I play in mobile... yeah sure, and you sent this very same to my friend who started the game yesterday... and to her dog. )
Extremely fast responses (Wowzee you are fast! What are you, a bot or something? ... oh .. yeah..)
Matching behavior patterns (multiple accounts moving in the exact same way... Simon says, touch your nose... hated the game as kid, btw)
