The Ultimate Guide to Cybersecurity for Streamers

Online streaming is more popular than ever before. From Twitch to YouTube to Instagram and Facebook Live, streamers are making a name for themselves across many different platforms. The types of streams can vary from anything to video games to cooking, creating art, or even chatting with fans. Although the streams are mostly positive environments, there are some negative aspects of being a streaming creator. Today, we’ll give you the ultimate guide to cybersecurity for streamers, teach you how to protect yourself online, and more.

Biggest Security Risks for Streamers

When it comes to online streamers, many of them have a straightforward approach to protecting themselves on the Internet. Keeping their personal information hidden is the most common type of data protection that streamers utilize. This means never revealing their full name, and even sometimes using a pseudonym for themselves while broadcasting. A new trend of “VTubers” has given streamers the opportunity to hide their appearances and voices, giving them additional protection.

Streamers try to avoid giving too much information about themselves to their audience because it can be used against them. If a streamer has a large fanbase, their personal life can attract a great deal of attention. Fans can sometimes attempt to get too much information about streamers they enjoy, which puts the streamer’s safety at risk. Unfortunately, the same thing can occur when a streamer attracts negative attention. This invasive behavior can happen to a streamer regardless of their popularity and can introduce serious threats to their security.

Some of the biggest risks and challenges facing streamers include:

• IP leaks.
• Malware.
• DDoS attacks.
• Doxxing/SWATting.
• Unrestricted connections.

If you are looking for ways to protect yourself as a streamer, there are several ways to ensure your safety. Take a look below as we cover some of the best ways to keep yourself safe while streaming online.

How Can Streamers Protect Themselves Online?

When it comes to cybersecurity for streamers, it’s important to take extra precautions to ensure that identifying information is secure. That means keeping your name, location, and personal data safe from anyone who might abuse it. One way that fans, or cybercriminals, can obtain this information is through an IP address

An IP address is a way for your device to be identified on the Internet. You may see IP addresses represented as a string of numbers separated by periods. This numerical sequence is tied to certain identifying data, including location information, your chosen Internet service provider (ISP), and more. IP addresses impact the websites you use and what content is available to you in your specific global region. Ultimately, these addresses are a necessary aspect of using the Internet. However, your IP address could introduce a serious threat to your online security if it isn’t secure.

Someone can obtain your IP address in many ways, but one of the most common is through an IP leak. The best way to protect yourself against this is to utilize a VPN. With a VPN on your computer, phone, and tablet, your IP address is hidden from prying eyes. This gives you better protection against cyber-attacks, IP leaks, and more. 

What is a VPN?

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) allow you to route your IP address through an encrypted server in another location. This software helps protect you from IP leaks by masking your true IP address from websites that want your data. These websites read the IP address of the server you connect to instead of the IP address for your device. This provides you with an extra layer of protection from invasive cybercriminals. 

Using a VPN is a great way to combat IP leaks, but it also improves your overall safety and security. Newer VPNs also offer Kill Switch integration, which can immediately disconnect you from the Internet in case of an emergency. If you believe that your security is in danger, you can activate your Kill Switch and disconnect. This can help prevent serious cybersecurity attacks and keep your device safe from criminals. 

Do Streamers Need VPNs?

Streamers on Twitch and YouTube have a variety of reasons for wanting to increase their online privacy. Dangerous security threats like SWATting and doxxing can create serious complications and put an individual’s safety at risk. This is, unfortunately, a much more common threat for female streamers. Using a VPN can help mitigate the chance of SWATting and other forms of online harassment. 

Protecting your privacy is especially important if streaming is your main form of income. If your streams earn money from advertising and sponsors, cybercriminals can prevent you from obtaining compensation by locking you out of your account. These criminals can also compromise the revenue you earn from your streams by stealing your personal financial information. If your network connection is not secure, attackers can even trace your banking and payment data through your online purchases. Using a VPN can help protect the information you send and receive on your personal devices.

Streamers who focus their content on video games are more likely to suffer these attacks due to angry opposing players. This is especially true for eSports competitors that encounter fans or opponents who want to impact their chance of winning. Some fanatical eSports enthusiasts have even gone so far as to find out where streamers live or attend school. Harassment and security threats have become so prevalent that many female streamers refuse to use a feminine-sounding name while gaming. 

If you want to fully protect yourself online and ensure the safety of your data, you need a VPN. When used in combination with antivirus software and regular system updates, a VPN helps reduce the chances of security risks. Certain settings can even help improve your streaming speed and quality. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to keep your system safe from potential security threats is up to you. However, it’s never been a better time for streamers to start improving their online privacy.

Get Reliable Online Protection with PrivadoVPN

Protecting your online privacy is important whether you’re a streaming veteran or a newcomer to the scene. Before you go live on Twitch or YouTube, make sure that your data is secure. With PrivadoVPN, you can be sure that your private information will be safe from potential security threats and privacy risks. Premium users get access to unlimited monthly data and the ability to create 10 active connections from one account. With an upgraded plan, you can also use any of our 300+ encrypted servers around the world for more privacy. It’s never been easier to protect yourself online than with reliable safety and security from PrivadoVPN. Sign up today!