EA Forums Online Security Newsletter - August
This month again we’ve got a double edition for you. Our newsletter is available on both AHQ and the EA forums! You can find the link to the newsletter on Answers HQ here. Last month, we talked about the importance of communication, particularly how our emotional reactions in games can sometimes lead to negative outcomes and how to handle such situations. We also covered tips on protecting your privacy and reporting inappropriate content in-game. Make sure to catch up on the previous issue with these links: Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter - July - Answer HQ EA Forums Online Security Newsletter - July | EA Forums Now, before we jump into this edition, I want to address a question that came up in one of our newsletter forms (I read these regularly and value your feedback!). Do I need a high rank on the forum to participate in the newsletter? Absolutely not! Our newsletter is for everyone, whether you're a silent reader (I know that there are many of you 😉), just posted your first comment yesterday, or are a seasoned forum veteran. Everyone is welcome here! If you have something to share, or a story to tell, don’t hesitate! At the end of this newsletter, you’ll also find a form where you can ask any online security questions that are on your mind. We’ll answer these in future editions. For participating in the newsletter—whether it’s posting a comment, solving a quiz, or completing an extra challenge—you’ll receive a participation token, which is a unique badge on the forum. This month, we’re focusing on how to secure your home network. Without further ado, let’s get into it! Securing home network Change your router’s default password and username Your internet provider probably gave you a device to get online. Usually, these devices have a default network password and admin login printed on the back. It’s a good idea to change this password to something more secure and, if possible, change the default username from “admin” to something less obvious. Enable network encryption At the very least, use WPA2 encryption, and if your router supports WPA3, definitely enable that. Disable WPS WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It’s a feature that makes it easy to connect devices to your network quickly. While handy, it doesn’t need to be on all the time. Turn it on only when absolutely necessary. Disable remote management Sometimes, you might need to enable this feature if you’re having trouble with your device. However, for security reasons, it’s best to keep it disabled unless needed. Update firmware Although firmware updates are usually automatic, it's a good practice to manually check for updates regularly. Keeping your device's firmware updated enhances its security against vulnerabilities. Enable firewall on your router Ensure the firewall service is enabled on your router. This measure significantly reduces the risk of security threats to your device. SANS Ouch! Newsletter - Creating a Cybersecure Home NSA | Best Practices for Securing Your Home Network I would also want you to invite to read an interview with Elise Murphy, Head of Game Security, and AC Ward, Director of Anti-Cheat Engineering. The interview highlights the efforts to develop and expand EA Anti-Cheat, and discussed its ongoing development, emphasizing their mission to protect players by leveraging the latest advancements in anti-cheat technology. Have a read, by clicking the link below: EA anticheat is leveling the playing field Do I need a high rank on the forum to participate in the newsletter? Absolutely not! Our newsletter is for everyone, whether you're a silent reader (I know that there are many of you 😉), just posted your first comment yesterday, or are a seasoned forum veteran. Everyone is welcome here! If you have something to share, or a story to tell, don’t hesitate! Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter Feedback form (including Community Spotlight, and Q&A submissi... Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter - Challenge Creation Interest form Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter - August Quiz If you wish to test yourself in this months extra challenge, head over to Answers HQ thread! 😊EA Forums Online Security Newsletter - July
We are excited to present the first edition of our newsletter on the new forum platform!🥳 Additionally, we have refreshed the appearance of our newsletter with new visuals 🌈, and re-branded our newsletter📛. In the future, we may expand the newsletter with new sections based on your feedback! ~How can this happen? At the end of the newsletter, you will find a new section called the Feedback Hub. Here, you can share your observations, ask questions, or share your stories via the form. Two new sections would be: Q&A:This section is for those who have long-awaited answers to their pressing questions but may now feel hesitant to ask. It’s also for questions about topics covered in previous editions. Questions must be related to the topic of the newsletters, and the answers to them may be included in future editions. Community Spotlight: This section is for sharing inspiring experiences in the field of security. Last month, thanks to the input from EA_Kalina, we focused on account security and explored the most important methods to prevent account takeovers. While this article provided information specific to your EA account, you can apply these guidelines to secure your other accounts as well. We hope you have followed all the instructions by now. If not, please do so as soon as possible. This month, we will explore the important topic of communication, in-game and beyond. As with every edition, each newsletter participant will receive a unique token of appreciation: a special badge on the forum. Now, without further ado, let's dive into this month's topic. ... Oh, I nearly forgot if you want to host the next challenge, you'll find the right form at the end of this post! Online Communication Look after your privacy Protect your privacy by reviewing and updating your privacy settings. Control what information is visible to other players or contacts you interact with. If too much personal information is visible on the internet, you might be vulnerable to spear phishing attacks. Spear phishing is a targeted attempt to steal your sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. Keep your cool Try not to send messages under the influence of strong emotions. Playing online can be very challenging when it comes to keep your emotions cool. However, when you're emotionally charged this can lead to unintended consequences. You might say something you regret, and it could get you into more trouble. Remember, everything you say or post on the Internet can persist for a long time. This includes private information unintentionally shared during an argument or inappropriate remarks. Message with caution It is a good habit to be distrustful of unexpected messages or messages from people we do not know. In the context of online games and gaming communities, it is easy to make new contacts and interact. However, during these conversations, do not provide your private information and always verify the identity of the person you are talking to by checking their profile or asking for additional information. Report Inappropriate Content We use real-time moderation technology to ensure that all text entered in our games complies with the Positive Play Charter. Additionally, our automated system filters all images uploaded by users, which is further supported by manual reviews from our team. Recently, we introduced a pilot voice reporting system in Battlefield 2042, allowing you to report inappropriate content from other users during gameplay. Your submissions are crucial in improving these tools and creating a safe, welcoming environment for our community. If you encounter inappropriate content in the game, please report it. Positive Play Charter Report cheating, harassment, and illegal content Content Moderation and Enforcement What’s voice chat moderation in Battlefield 2042? EA Forums Online Security Newsletter - July Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter Feedback form (including Community Spotlight, and Q&A submissions) Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter - Challenge Creation Interest form
