We all know just how cool and amazing playing video games are. From the Far Cry franchise to the Call of Duty series with maybe some FIFA in-between, it can be a rewarding way to spend your spare time. Plenty of use also use our love of gaming for more concrete gains – money from an online casino is always a pleasant feeling, as is just the thrill of gambling that many of us feel.
Before you do so however, you should be prioritising your safety above all else – it is crucial to do all you can to stay safe when gambling online. Having your money or potentially even your identity stolen by cybercriminals is no joke. The good news is that most people gamble online without any problem at all – as long as they take the right safety measures to protect themselves. But what exactly can you do to keep yourself secure when gambling online?
Make sure your anti-virus software is updated
As you could use anything from your laptop to your PC to gamble online with, you must make sure you have decent anti-virus software in place. This will help to detect and prevent any malicious activity when you are playing online. Without this in place, your computer and therefore your sensitive details are wide open to being stolen or compromised. Make sure to not only install effective anti-virus solutions, but also to keep them updated. As cybercriminals come up with new ways to try and bypass this protection all the time, it is key to have the latest security measures in place to combat these new threats.
Only use a reputable casino site online
Arguably the most important safety measure to be taken when gambling online lies in the online operator you choose to play with. Although most are honest and trustworthy, you must be on your guard for scam sites who exist only to steal your money or details. Naturally, you do not want to sign up with any site like this! By far the best method to verify the reputation of a site is by checking out online reviews at sites like Trust Rating or actual review sites for online casinos. This will give you an impartial view of the site and other player’s experiences with it. Alongside this, you also need to make sure the casino you choose has the required licences to operate and robust cybersecurity measures in place like encryption for your sensitive data. If all fails, choose one of the big brands who you know will be fine to use.
Think about how you fund your account
When it comes to playing casino games online, you also need to think about how the money you use can keep you safer. While many will opt for traditional methods like using a debit or credit card, this can actually leave you more open to cybercrime. Many players are beginning to use digital cryptocurrencies now instead as they offer more security and transparency. As the transactions you make with digital currencies leave no trail to follow, hackers are unable to access your bank details. You also are not required to input your bank details onto the casino site with crypto gambling, making it much safer. Even if you trust the site in question, that doesn’t make them invulnerable to attacks – even companies as large as Sony have famously fallen victim to particularly ambitious hackers.
Use strong passwords
This classic piece of IT advice is applicable to gambling online safely as well. When you are creating your casino account, make sure to use a strong password that cannot be easily guessed. In addition, you should make sure to change it regularly to stay extra safe. If two-factor authentication is an option at your casino, then this is also worth switching on to make your account more secure. All this together will make it much harder for would be cybercriminals to access your account and steal your money or details.
Be on the lookout for scams
Much of staying safe online revolves around being vigilant and suspicious of any unsolicited activity. As well as scam sites, you should also be on guard against scams that may arrive via e-mail. Common forms involve someone pretending to be from your casino asking you for passwords or to click on a link within the email. If you fall for their ruse, they can then get into your account easily or embed some kind of virus on your device. The best advice is to never reply or engage with any emails you were not expecting – if unsure, simply contact the casino themselves separately to confirm.
Staying safe when gambling online is essential
When you are merrily playing video games on a console, security does not come into your mind much. It is however a really important concern when using real money and entering personal details to play casino games online. Hopefully, the above has given you some simple yet effective ways to go about it.
