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Stopping Cheaters in Fortnite Is a Game of Whack-A-Mole

Ever gotten beaten by a player that never missed once in Fortnite? If you’re like most players, it happens too often.

It probably wasn’t a player with superhuman skills, or your imagination, or luck. Odds are you encountered an aim-botter. And it’s one of the most common ways players cheat in the game.

Fortnite Tops the List for the Most Cheaters

A recent study by Surfshark found that Fortnite has the biggest cheating problem out of any online game.

It looked at how many views videos about cheating have on YouTube. Fortnite was number one by a wide margin, followed by Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

As much as it’s disconcerting for Fortnite players it’s also a testament of its incredible popularity. Fortnite is one of the biggest games in the world right now. And the more players, the higher the headcount of cheaters.

The Types of Hacks on Fortnite

The Fortnite cheats you often hear about from game journalists and frustrated players are aimbot and wallhack.

A website that sells Fortnite cheats stated its top hacks include “Aimbot, ESP, Wallhack, Radar Hack, Trigger Bot, No Recoil and more.” They are being sold for around $10.

Aimbot

Aimbot is a cheat that shows no mercy. Every shot hits its target. Players can run, duck, or jump to try to save themselves but their every movement is perfectly tracked. And the cheater’s opponents are blasted away without hesitation. In fact, aimbots are so precise that they can target parts of the body such as the head, neck, chest, or leg.

Wallhack aka ESP

Wallhack makes it impossible for players to hide and use the element of surprise to their advantage. It allows cheaters to see behind walls, structures, and parts of the terrain like mountains and boulders. It’s a devastating hack because Fortnite is all about building forts and using them in battle. Coupled with aimbot this puts cheaters in “god mode” so other players don’t stand a chance.

Epic Games Takes A Stand

So, is developer Epic Games dropping the ball? Although it can seem like it when emotions are riding high after getting blasted by an aim-botter, the company is actually pulling out all the stops to make it difficult for cheaters.

Community Coordinator Nathan Mooney had this to say on Fortnite’s official blog:

To start, addressing cheaters in Fortnite is the highest priority across Epic Games. We are constantly working against both the cheaters themselves and the cheat providers. And it’s ongoing, we’re exploring every measure to ensure these cheaters are removed and stay removed from Fortnite Battle Royale and the Epic ecosystem. We don’t want to give too many clues about what we’re doing, but we are rolling out tools and will continue to do so. Thousands have been banned and we have no plans to stop!

Note that he says it’s ongoing. The sad reality is every time Epic Games implements a new way to thwart cheating the Fortnite communities’ bad apples eventually figure out how to get around it.

In 2022 Epic rolled out new anti-cheat software called Byfron. And it made tampering with the game harder than ever.

Soon after, hackers voiced their irritation in a Discord server when it prevented them from accessing the game entirely:

“FN will be down for a while. Fortnite after three years has decided to add s**t that will make it hard to cheat,” one hacker said. “They have greatly protected things that we need to make a cheat.”
“Before this update nothing was protected, now everything is.”

Epic is now protecting Fortnite with three layers of anti-cheat software: EasyAntiCheat, Battle Eye, and Byfron.

Detecting the Cheaters

One of Epic’s latest moves is to remove players that use tools to conceal or alter their device’s hardware IDs. These hardware IDs are used to track the parts of a computer a player uses with Epic Games. Thus, anybody hiding it is in almost all cases banned from Fortnite or is up to no good.

Unfortunately, soft hacks are being replaced with hardware hacks to avoid being detected in the first place.

Some players are now using a device called Cronus Zen. It’s a new, advanced take on those old SNES controllers with turbo buttons. It acts as an emulator that can run custom mods for game controllers. The mods improve building and take aim assist to the next level.

Protecting Yourself with a VPN in Fortnite

Using a VPN is an effective way to preserve your online privacy and protect yourself from malicious players. It hides your IP address and by doing so it eliminates the possibility of other players using tools to find it.

The catch is Epic Games doesn’t recommend using a VPN in Fortnite. This is because players with banned IP addresses use VPNs to access the game.

You could get this popup message from Epic Games if you have a VPN enabled, “You were removed from the match due to internet lag, your IP or machine, VPN usage, or for cheating. We recommend not utilizing VPN or proxy services while attempting to play Fortnite.”

For many, the benefits outweigh the possibility of getting removed from matches. See LetMeBy’s reviews of the top VPNs to learn more.

Conclusion

Online multiplayer games will always have cheaters. They’ve been around since the early days in games like Doom and Unreal Tournament.

They’ve infested plenty of titles over the years such as the multiplayer in old versions of Call of Duty. Epic Games has a monumental task on its hands. But they’ll be willing to keep it up as long as Fortnite is a cash cow for Epic.

Your Private Data Could Be at Risk in Call of Duty. What to Do.

The Call of Duty franchise is so popular that it practically put online multiplayer on the map in first-person shooters.

Games like the rebooted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare have big maps that support over 100 players. It’s thrilling to compete with so many players and an amazing technical achievement, but it also has its risks.

There are over 22 main Call of Duty games in existence. On average at least one Call of Duty title is released every year. And since multiplayer is the highlight, all those titles create a maintenance challenge for its developers.

The reality is newer games get updates, and older games are abandoned. COD games that are no longer updated become breeding grounds for cheaters and malicious users.

Many players move to the newest versions of Call of Duty. But sometimes the community prefers to stick with their favorite version. And over time these older games become dodgier by the day in their multiplayer mode.

Fans Fix Black Ops III

By most people’s definition, Black Ops III [Amazon] is a modern game still worth playing but to its developer Treyarch, it’s old news.

Released in 2015, Black Ops III’s community is very much alive. And while it still receives some vulnerability patches and updates, the game is no longer a priority. Due to its long-lived popularity, it’s a real trap for COD fans.

TechCrunch dedicated a piece to how dangerous Black Ops III is and how gamers are taking action to fix it. Here’s why you should be concerned if you play it:

“The game has become infested with hackers. There are tons of security vulnerabilities which have a severe impact,” Maurice Heumann, one of the two hackers behind the effort to fix the game, told TechCrunch. “You can get hacked just by playing the game. Your data can be stolen and so much more.”

Maurice Heumann first created a modified version of Black Ops III to fix its bugs and is now working on his own version of the game’s launcher. His project can be found on GitHub here.

The downside is that by using this custom launcher players can’t interact with nearly everyone else using the official game.

Players like Heumann are also reporting bugs to the game’s publisher, Activision. The company has acknowledged some of these bug reports but largely hasn’t taken action on many of the bugs yet.

Activision has stated that it’s committed to continuing support of Black Ops III. However, players are wise to take precautions before playing as its flawed online security has been an ongoing issue.

How to Protect Yourself in Call of Duty

For most, the best thing to do is connect to Call of Duty games with a VPN.

Hackers in the game hone in on their target by using a tool to find the player’s IP address. And by using a VPN you replace your true IP with one supplied by a VPN service provider. Thus, malicious users can’t get any further if they aim to gain access to your private data.

Learn about the best VPNs by visiting this page.

Trick to Avoid Hackers in Call of Duty

Modern Warfare 2 [Amazon] pro player Gabriel Hamshaw, aka Aroma, shared his top tip for avoiding malicious users in Call of Duty.

As the lobby fills up note the handles of other players. If a hacker Is present simply leave the lobby to figurately or literally dodge a bullet.

It’s effective but of course is only feasible for dedicated COD players. You need to be able to spot them based on only their handle, and as there are so many it’s not like you can easily pull up a list of hackers.

Games with the Most Cheaters

If you’re considering trying a different FPS franchise to avoid cheaters in Call of Duty, think twice.

According to a recent study by Surfshark, Fortnite had the most cheaters followed by Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. There are three Call of Duty games further down on the list: Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Considering how active its community is, Call of Duty games actually fared better than many of the alternatives.

Conclusion

The multiplayer in Call of Duty is a blast to play. Unfortunately, competitive FPS games attract people with bad intentions. And they can potentially even access your private data by exploiting vulnerabilities in the game.

You’ll probably want to stay away from the multiplayer in old versions of Call of Duty that are no longer updated. Be on the lookout for hackers and cheaters, note their handles, and avoid them in future play sessions.

Additionally, don’t be an easy target. Use a VPN to hide your IP whenever you play online.

The 5 Best VPN-Ready Travel Routers

Fast and reliable internet is a must for travelers. It’s needed for tasks such as booking hotel rooms, flights, and tours. And it just makes life better when you need directions or restaurant reviews. Plus, most like to stay in contact with loved ones back home.

Wi-Fi hotspots are everywhere today, from hotels to airports to cozy cafes. It’s wonderfully convenient but it also tends to give travelers a false sense of security. Public Wi-Fi can be slow, spotty, and lacking in security.

That’s where portable Wi-Fi hotspots come in. Rather than dealing with Wi-Fi frustrations travelers can now grab the bull by the horns.

A travel router is a compact device that can easily be packed in a suitcase. And depending on its features it solves common Wi-Fi issues people encounter on a trip.

Travel routers have three main uses:

Extend the range of an existing Wi-Fi network
Create a new Wi-Fi hotspot by connecting to a mobile network
Make a gateway for multiple devices to connect to a network when fewer connections are permitted

Extend the Range of an Existing Wi-Fi Network

Distance from a router is one of the most important factors determining the speed and reliability of an internet connection. Thus, when staying at a hotel it’s luck of the draw. You could find yourself very close or very far away from its Wi-Fi hotspot.

Travel routers that are range extenders amplify the signal of the main router. It can buy you a couple of bars of signal strength on all your devices.

Create a New Wi-Fi Hotspot

Not all public hotspots are secure. In fact, if the network connection isn’t encrypted it can expose you to threats such as theft of private data. Although it’s tempting to tap on a social media app and post the photos you just took at the beach it isn’t always worth the risk.

Creating a hotspot with a travel router gives you a secure access point to connect your devices to. It also grants you full control of your own network rather than dealing with the weaknesses of public Wi-Fi.

Make a Gateway for Multiple Devices to Connect to a Network

It’s common for hotels to limit the number of devices that can connect to their Wi-Fi with one access code.

For the gadget-obsessed or people that need to get things done, it’s worth the effort to consolidate all devices into one connection to the network. By connecting devices to a travel router rather than directly, you can essentially use as many devices as you want.

How to Use a VPN with a Travel Router

There are two big players in travel routers: GL.iNet and TP-Link. Both are easy to use with a VPN. You’ll want to make sure your travel router and VPN service both support the same VPN protocols.

To get the details on VPN services, see LetMeBy’s guide to the top 3 VPNs here.

GL.iNet Routers

GL.iNet’s product line supports VPN services that are compatible with OpenVPN and Wireguard out of the box. OpenVPN and Wireguard are VPN protocols used by VPN service providers. The admin panel included with GL.iNet routers allows you to connect to a VPN efficiently.

TP-Link Routers

Although TP-Link doesn’t emphasize it on its product pages there are robust VPN configuration options under the hood of its routers. TP-Link travel routers support OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec protocols. TP-Link doesn’t require that you download VPN software as you can enter the login details provided by your VPN service provider directly in the router admin panel.

The Best Travel Routers

Most travel routers are super compact, inexpensive, and offer a lot of features to boot. All the routers listed below allow you to either create a new access point or extend the range of an existing Wi-Fi network.

If you want the fastest speeds available, that’s when the prices move up. High-end offerings from GL.iNet such as the GL-MT3000 feature both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity.

TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router (TL-WR902AC) [Amazon]

If you want the best value this is the one. And it’s probably the top pick for most people. The TP-Link AC750 is significantly faster than many entry-level models out there yet only a bit higher in price.

It has a data transfer rate of 750 Mb per second as its name implies. That might not be quite as fast as you’re used to at home or at the office but for such a small router it’s well above average.

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router [Amazon]

If you want the fastest connection possible, you’ll want to look at this model from GL.iNet first. It’s the only travel router in this roundup that uses the 802.11ax standard. By connecting to its 5GHz band it can reach speeds of a theoretical maximum of 2402 Mb per second.

The only downside is it’s a good bump up in price from your typical travel router.

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN Router [Amazon]

Those who love tropical locations may want to order the mango. All jokes aside this model from GL.iNet has antennas inside the unit rather than outside. That can be an advantage because that’s two fewer things to break or get detached and lost. Thus, this is sort of the sport edition of GL.iNet’s travel router lineup.

Its data transfer speed is 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz) which is standard for its price point.

TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router (TL-WR802N) [Amazon]

This option won’t wow you in terms of speed or features. Its modest price and the fact it’s made by a reputable company are two of its biggest draws.

TP-Link isn’t just a big name in travel routers. It’s a big name in routers period. It shows when it comes to their software which is clean and easy to set up. The N300 uses advanced encryption so it provides an inexpensive way to create a secure network.

GL.iNet GL-AR300M16-Ext Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket Router [Amazon]

Want an extremely compact unit with antennas? This puppy has detachable antennas which makes it easy to pack yet effective at transmitting Wi-Fi signals.

Its CPU runs at 650 MHz which is a touch faster than the comparable GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango). Also, it has EAP support while other models in this range don’t. EAP is an authentication framework, and it’s a nice security feature to have. Its data transfer speed is 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz) as you’d expect for such a small, lightweight unit.

Conclusion

Travel routers have become a must for digital nomads, business people, and filmmakers, just to name a few.

The last thing you want when you need to get things done is a spotty Wi-Fi connection. You may not always need it but packing a travel router gives you insurance so that you can find solutions to internet issues as they arise.

Is Your Data Safe with TikTok? Let’s Look at the Facts!

Talk of a ban on TikTok in the US started when former president Donald Trump started looking into the app’s data security in 2020. More recently, the Biden administration got involved by pressing the Chinese company ByteDance to sell it or possibly face a ban in the US.

Understandably all the headlines have got many TikTok users concerned if it’s worth it to keep the app installed considering the controversy about its data security policies and how it uses private data.

Most notably people are concerned about third parties TikTok is sharing its data with. There’s no way of verifying every third party TikTok sends data to and although the company has addressed people’s concerns the skepticism remains.

So, is there evidence to back up the commotion? What are the facts? Independent companies are starting to research how TikTok handles private data in the real world.

Study by URL Genius

A recent study found that TikTok collects more private data than most social media apps – and the difference is quite dramatic.

URL Genius measured the number of times popular apps made network contacts. Then they found how many of those can be traced back to first-party domains and how many are sending data to third parties.

Tests by mobile marketing company URL Genius determined that TikTok and YouTube led the pack when it comes to gathering data about its users and tracking their activity. At least they are when it comes to the numbers.

YouTube and TikTok made 14 network contacts each during their tests. That’s more than double the average of 6 network contacts. After delving deeper into which are first-party trackers and which are third-party, the results became much different.

It should be no surprise that companies like Meta and ByteDance collect data so their apps can show users the most relevant content and ads. It’s the data being sent to third parties most people want to know about yet this is the part that’s clouded in mystery.

Ten of YouTube’s trackers were first-party, which means the user data was being collected for their own purposes. The remaining four network contacts were from third-parties. So, while Google’s overall number was high at least we know where most of that data goes.

With TikTok it wasn’t clear where personal data was going and how it was being used. 13 of the 14 network contacts were from third parties.

TikTok has clarified by telling CNBC all of those network contacts can be traced back to just four third-party domains. Additionally, they said it was necessary for functions such as network security and user certification. Included in the list of third-parties are Google, Apple, Snap, and AppsFlyer, a marketing analytics company that measures the performance of ad campaigns on TikTok.

Wired Probes TikTok’s Tracking

Wired UK published a guide that explains what TikTok is tracking in plain English and how to stop its data collection.

According to their findings, TikTok can gather information even if you haven’t signed up via cookies and other trackers. And after you’ve created an account it starts tracking your activities such as videos you’ve watched, how long you watched them, internet searches, and the content in your messages.

TikTok also tracks your interactions with advertisers. It works out demographic data such as your age bracket, gender, and your interests. Advertising is one of the key reasons for TikTok’s data collection just like any other social media app. The more the app knows about its users the better it can serve them relevant ads and content they’ll enjoy.

Ever wonder how TikTok knew visiting Japan is on your bucket list, or that you’re renovating your kitchen?

TikTok’s algorithm depends on its multifaceted data collection to work. That’s how it shows you videos on your personalized For You Page that can be surprising in terms of how timely and relevant to your interests it is.

Wired went as far as to say “TikTok can tell if you find a video funny and why, if you’re interested in sports or music, whether you’re religious, into politics or concerned about specific causes. It also knows if you’ve been feeling down lately.”

How to Protect Your Privacy on TikTok

Although much of TikTok’s data collection is necessary for the functionality of the app, there are steps you can take to eliminate sharing personal info that isn’t essential.

TikTok is always evolving and its settings are no exception. It was previously possible to turn off ‘Personalized Ads’ but this feature has been removed.

Tap on the hamburger menu and select ‘Settings and privacy.’ Next, tap on ‘Privacy.’ Here you may opt to make your account private and control whether your followers can see your activity status or not.

It’s recommended that you never allow TikTok to gain access to your contacts or Facebook friends. If you’ve already granted TikTok access to this you can remove the data from their servers by accessing ‘Sync contacts and Facebook friends’ under the ‘Privacy’ menu.

For many users, it’s totally unnecessary for TikTok to track your location. Tap on ‘Location Services’ to remove TikTok’s access to your location via device settings. Additionally, you can delete your location history here.

Users that want to create a backup or plan to delete TikTok may want to download their data from the app. Go to ‘Settings and privacy’ and tap on ‘Account.‘ Next tap ‘Download your data.’

Level Up Your Privacy with a VPN

Experts suggest using a VPN with TikTok to truly regain your privacy.

What’s a VPN? It’s a virtual private server. Essentially it creates an additional layer of privacy and security between your internet connection and the apps and websites you visit. VPNs allow you to choose an IP address so your actual IP is hidden. It makes it impractical for apps like TikTok to track you in many cases.

Check out LetMeBy’s reviews of the top 3 VPNs to view the best services out there. Generally, these are the most recommended VPNs here:

The Verdict

TikTok is an incredibly engaging and entertaining app. However, it’s best to be aware of the privacy implications associated with using it.

According to independent studies, TikTok makes more network contacts than the average social media app. Its privacy settings don’t offer users much control either. If you’ve thought about using a VPN with your social media apps, TikTok provides a compelling reason to take the plunge.

Protect Your Privacy on Xbox Series X/S – Settings to Change

Online privacy is officially a big deal for console gamers. The ninth generation of game consoles offer immersive social experiences. And to deliver them the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S are intended to be connected to the internet nearly all the time.

Microsoft, Sony, and their developers are always looking for methods to improve their software and products. And tracking the activity of their users is an important way they get feedback.

The trend has been for companies to not hold back in terms of collecting user data and sharing it with their partners such as advertisers. But the good news is that’s only the default. They also give their customers the ability to control which data is collected, and which isn’t. People that take the time to change their privacy settings are rewarded with greater anonymity as well as peace of mind knowing their actions are not being tracked.

One step Microsoft took in respecting its customers’ online privacy is the removal of technology that gathers voice data. Before the release of Xbox Series X/S in 2020 the company updated its privacy policy and announced it would no longer collect voice search or speech-to-text data on users. In contrast, the PS5 collects voice data by default and it can be turned off in the privacy settings.

Xbox users have the option of changing their privacy settings either on the console or through the web.

Ready to boost your privacy on Xbox Series X and S? Let’s get started!

Where to Change Your Privacy Setting on Xbox Series X/S

Xbox Series X and S offer a comprehensive list of privacy features ranging from presets for families to controlling the information other Xbox Live users can see about you.

To access your Xbox’s privacy features, press the Xbox button and then select Profile & System > Settings > Account > Xbox Live Privacy > Privacy & Online Safety.

General Privacy Settings for Families

One of the first things you’ll notice in the Xbox’s privacy settings are the defaults for children, teens, and adults. This approach makes it easy for parents to manage the accounts of each of their family members.

Child: These defaults are intended for young children and it has the highest level of privacy. Children can download free content such as games, videos, music, and apps. They need permission from an adult to add friends. They’re only able to communicate with approved friends and their name Is hidden. Even friends can only see their display name.

Teen: The Teen defaults are less restrictive than Child in terms of socializing. They’re still limited to downloading free content only. They’re given more freedom to connect with people (and to be connected with). Friends can see when they’re online and view their profile.

Adult: As you’d expect Adult has few restrictions. You can download whatever you like. And your activity is shared and visible to your friends.

Exploring Xbox’s Privacy Options

The privacy defaults give you a good starting point. From there you can drill down into the options and make additional tweaks if you desire.

For example, by going to Profile & System > Settings > Account > Privacy & Online Safety > Message Safety, you can specify who can contact you and through which channels of communication. These settings can be adjusted for voice, text, and messages.

If there are people on your friends list you don’t want to share everything with, Xbox allows you to manage this. You can determine which friends can see your real name, as well as who can comment on your activity feed. To change your feed settings, go to Settings > General > Online Safety & Family.

Finally, you’ll want to check which social media accounts your Xbox is connected to. Just hop onto Settings, then Account. It’s recommended that you disconnect any apps you haven’t used in the past six months.

Turning Off Data Collection

Microsoft’s announcement that it would no longer be collecting voice data from its users was a breath of fresh air.

They do still collect diagnostic and usage data about your console. This means Microsoft tracks the apps and features you use. Data collection is also used for error reporting, “to help improve console performance, troubleshooting, and more,” as they put it.

For online privacy aficionados, blocking data collection is one first things to do when they get a new console. While most of the Xbox’s privacy settings relate to how you share information with other users, this is a key option that stops Microsoft from tracking your activity.

Go to Privacy & Online Safety and then Data Collection. From here you can select ‘Block’ from the dropdown menu.

It’s also likely that Microsoft collects data related to their mailing list such as if their emails were opened, read, deleted, etc. If you’re not that interested in keeping up with Microsoft’s offers you’ll want to head to ‘Contact Preferences’ and remove yourself from their mailing list.

Boost Your Online Privacy with a VPN

Want to enjoy gaming with the highest level of privacy? Consider using a VPN.

So, what’s a VPN? It’s short for virtual private network. Essentially, it’s an encrypted tunnel that goes between your Xbox and the internet.

Companies and individuals can find out a lot about you such as your location when they have access to your IP address. VPNs replace your IP with a different IP that’s associated with any location you choose. It allows you to take your online privacy into your own hands rather than hoping for the best with privacy settings.

To learn about how to use a VPN with the Xbox Series X/S, check out this guide. And if you’re starting your research about VPN services visit LetMeBy’s reviews of the top choices.

Verdict

Unlike Sony’s PS5 the Xbox Series X/S doesn’t give you a list of options to configure in terms of data that is sent back to Microsoft. That’s good and more straightforward! All data collection can either be turned on or off.

Xbox shines at giving you many privacy options so you can control who sees your real name, your feed, who can contact you, etc. You’ll feel good about hopping on Xbox Live knowing your account can be as public or private as you like by tweaking the settings.