Fact or fiction: Anti-virus software will slow down my gaming.

These days, that myth is pure fiction. Gamers that believe they should disable their anti-virus software before playing their games are looking for trouble. Not only does modern security software rarely have to interfere with gaming, you actually have far more serious things to fear without it.

Play your game without security software running and before you master level one, you may already be infected. Hackers have been targeting gamers lately because so many believe the old myth. They become easy targets.

What's to steal? Your financial data, for one. But that is not all. Gamers can have their log in info stolen and find that their gaming account has been stolen as well. Serious money can be made from selling your virtual gaming inventory or even the whole account, stealing your credit card details or using your personal information for identity fraud.

David Emm, Senior Security Researcher, Kaspersky Lab says: ‘We are all familiar with banking malware on the system and how cybercriminals use it to capture our banking credentials and steal our money. But they can also make money by targeting gamers. Hackers are looking to steal the login details to the game. With some of these games you can buy property, powerful swords, armory and magical objects to build impressive game characters; these can sell for real money."

Source: ThinkSecurityGuide