Is games.lol safe: What you need to know

Games.lol is a popular website to download games to play on your computer. It allows you to download mobile games, and play them on your PC without even having a phone or gaming console. Free gaming platforms like this one are used by many people. But parents and users have the same question, “is games.lol safe?” The answer lies in understanding how the platform works, what safety measures are in place and what the dangers are from downloading games from unofficial sources.

What is Games.lol?

Games.lol is a software that you download on your computer that allows you to access and download mobile games from Android. Remember, the app store is a centralized platform that connects game developers with customers who want to download their games. You go to the Games.lol website and browse the games available and click download. The launcher downloads and installs the game on your computer and then you can play it immediately.

Games.lol has thousands of games in a number of different categories. You’ll find that the structure is action games, puzzle, casual, and strategy games in one place. Games.lol doesn’t make these games but they take games from other sources and make them available on windows computers. The website is free to use, which means that you do not have to pay any money to access the platform. The company generates its income with ads and payments that are built into the games themselves.

Is Games.lol safe?

No. Games.lol is questionable and risky, based on the reports of users.

Games.lol says on its official support page that the platform is perfectly safe and has been tested thoroughly. The company says it tests everything with some kind of antivirus software before it is released. However, reality reveals that user reviews tell a very different story from what the company says. On review websites, such as Trustpilot, many people have complained of experiencing serious issues after installing Games.lol.

There are far more negative reviews than positive with many describing malware infections, slow computer performance, unwanted programs automatically installing etc. This large gap between what Games.lol is advertising and what is experienced by their users is troubling. Either the platform has malicious code on it or the games it distributes have been hacked by perpetrators. Either way your computer is at some real risk.

Safety claims vs. reality

Games.lol claims it has security measures in place to protect its users and claims that the website is protected by Norton DigiCert, a trusted security company. Only downloads can be done from the official website of this platform in order to make things safe. However, there is a problem with this approach that users should understand. The following section will list all the risk concerns with this platform.

Risk concerns

From malware risks to legal issues, you expose yourself to many digital threats when using Games.LOL. Here are a couple risk concerns you should know:

Malware risk

The greatest threat is malware infection, which can be very detrimental to your computer. On the Trustpilot site, users are reporting serious issues just after the installation of Games.lol. One user installed a free game and found more than 10 viruses over their computer. Another persons found a virus that opened random windows every single time they turned on their PC.

Privacy Issues

According to the privacy policy of the application, Games.lol collects a lot of personal information about you. The platform collects information about your device, such as your computer hardware, operating system and a unique ID number. It also tracks your use of games, meaning that they know your IP address, information about your browser and what games you play.

The company also keeps track of your location if you permit location-based functionality and keeps track of what apps you download. Games.lol stores your gaming profile information including your game statistics, achievements, scores, and messages with other players. Here’s the worrying bit, Games.lol shares all this information with other companies including service providers, business partners and advertising companies.

Ads and pop-ups

Games.lol is a company that makes money on advertising displayed both on the platform and within downloaded games. The platform presents targeted ads depending on what the user does and what his/her interests are. Third-party ad companies put ads on the platform, and they can gather their own information on you. These companies have a network of tracking in which they track you on many different websites and apps.

Why downloading from third-party sources is dangerous

Downloading games from unofficial sites such as Games.lol is more harmful than taking official sources. Official stores such as Steam, Epic Games store, Google Play are strict in security checks. Every app is scanned for viruses before it’s made available to the users. Unofficial platforms have weak safety standards and may not necessarily check games well enough before sharing them.

How to stay safe when using Games.lol

If you are going to use Games.lol anyway, follow these steps so that you can protect yourself:

• Use updated antivirus software: Implement trustworthy antivirus software and always keep it activated during downloads and installations. Performing a full system scan when you install anything from Games.lol
• Download only from the official website: Never use third-party download links and mirrors. And always go to https://games.lol/ directly in your browser.
• Create system restore point: Before you download anything on your computer, create a restore point. If something goes wrong, you can reset your system to what it was before you downloaded it.
• Be careful with permissions. While installing make sure that you read what permissions does Games.lol ask for? Refuse any permissions that seem to be unnecessary and strange to your needs.
• Turn off auto-start: After installation, you should go and change the settings in the Games.lol application and turn off the feature which allows it to open automatically when your computer turns on.
• Watch your computer: Look out for odd slowdowns, pop-ups out of the blue or odd behaviors when the computer starts up. These are indications of a malware or unwanted programs in your system.
• Use a VPN: A VPN (Virtual Private Network) will provide additional security by scrambling your connection and concealing your IP address from companies and trackers.
• Download popular games only: Stick to games which are popular, and lots of people play with them. Unknown games from unknown developers are much more likely to have problems.

These steps reduce risk but can’t eliminate it completely. Making wiser choices through using safer alternatives is a smarter choice.

6 alternatives to Games.lol

There are several trusted platforms which provide games safely without Games.lol’s security problems:

Steam

Steam is the biggest platform to download PC games and it has more than 122,000 PC games to be downloaded. Valve (the company that runs it) is meticulous at checking all games for viruses prior to release. You can find free and paid games in every category imaginable.

• Pros: Massive game library, useful community features, sales features, security, cross-device compatibility.
• Cons: Requires Internet connection, some older games may not work on the newer computers.
• Age Rating: The ESRB and PEGI ratings are displayed clearly on Steam.

Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store is becoming more popular and is providing free and paid games to the players. Epic offers free games every week, which is great if you are on a budget. The store is focused on new and independent games from smaller developers.

• Pros: Free Games Regularly, indie games from smaller developers, exclusive games, great security.
• Cons: Not as large collection as Steam, only one payment option.
• Age Rating: Individual games are questionably ESRB/Pegi rated.

GOG (Good Old Games)

GOG specializes in old and classic games but has modern ones available too. Every game on GOG is DRM free, which means that you really do own what you buy. GOG is for ensuring that old games are able to work on new computers.

• Pros: Your games are your own, tons of classic games, active community, games are free sometimes.
• Cons: Not as big of a collection as Steam, mostly classics and indie games.
• Age Rating: GOG offers normal game ratings.

BlueStacks

BlueStacks is an Android emulator app software that presents official Android emulator, which allows your computer to run Android apps as if it were a phone. Instead of downloading through Games.lol, BlueStacks links you to Google Play Store, the official Android market place. This provides you with a safe and legal method of playing Android games on your computer.

• Pros: Access to millions of legitimate apps for Android, Safe via Google play, runs multiple games, runs smoothly, regular updates.
• Cons: Requires more computer power, is more storage space consuming.
• Age Rating: Games through Google Play are standard rated.

Itch.io

Itch.io is a community site for independent games that creators can upload their own games to. You’ll find unusual and creative games here which you won’t find on other platforms. The site helps to support small creators and experimental games.

• Pros: Unique indie games, good developer-friendly, free and paid games, supports experimental games.
• Cons: Less careful of checking, quality of the games varies, less big commercial games.
• Age Rating: Creators decide which ratings they have.

Google Play Games for PC

Google Play Games is the official way to run Android games on Windows without using the unofficial sources. It links to your Google Play account, so your games are in sync between your phone and your computer. This official approach means that you’re getting games from the legitimate Android apps store.

• Pros: official google platform, access to Google Play library, syncs with your phone, very secure.
• Cons: Less choice of games, requires specific computer hardware.
• Age Rating: Games are subject to normal ratings from Google Play.

Aside from Games.LOL, there are plenty of privacy and digital security risks when kids are using their phones. To project them, you’ll have to rely on robust tools like FlashGet Kids. This app allows you to keep track of what your kids are playing, allows time limits for gaming and blocks inappropriate content. It is compatible with a large number of legitimate gaming services and provides detailed reports on their activities.

Conclusion

Based on the real user experiences and reviews of thousands of people, Games.lol poses genuine safety and privacy dangers. While the platform advertises itself as a safe platform, there have been actual user reports of malware infections and computer issues, as well as invasive tracking. When you ask “is games.lol safe?” the unvarnished truth based on evidence is: be very cautious and skeptical.

Better alternatives are available for PC gaming that has good security measures set in place. Steam, Epic Games Store and BlueStacks are all good choices. Google Play Games and Itch.io are also good choices that have good security credentials. These platforms are much better protective to your computer and personal information than Games.lol.

If you still choose to use Games.lol, make sure you carefully follow all the safety steps mentioned above. But to be honest switching to some established ones is the smartest choice. The minimal money you may save with using Games.lol isn’t worth jeopardizing your computer and privacy.

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