Online casinos and online gamblers are prime targets for hackers, and there are many reasons for this. For one, online casinos store a vast repository of personal information and very valuable information too. When hackers manage to break into an online casino, they can get access to everything from banking info, to credit card information to the name and addresses of players.
They also don’t need to break into a casino’s security to wreak havoc. They can take advantage of neglectful players who leave themselves open. If you want to stay safe when playing online, here are some things you’ll have to do.
Choose the right casino
Everything starts with the casino you pick. If you pick a casino that is reputable and does everything it can to protect players, then half of the battle will be won.
The very first thing you have to do is make sure that the casino is licensed by a reputable licensing body. This is the only way to know that a casino is operating lawfully.
Some of the bodies to look for include the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. Some of the other bodies to look for include the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and Curacao e-Gaming. There might be other organisations out there, but if the casino you are thinking of playing at isn’t licensed by one of those, there’s a strong chance that they’re fraudulent.
If you want an example of a licensed casino, you can check out Play Live. Play Live is licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Authority, which is recognised as one of the most stringent regulatory organisations in the world. All of their games are audited, and they use the best verification and encryption methods, so your money and information will be safe there.
Cut your gaming from your personal finances
Another thing we suggest you do is establish a clear barrier between your gambling money and your assets. You should have an account made specifically for gambling, and this account should not be connected to the rest of your money. This way, hackers will only have access to a limited sum if they break-in, and it will make managing your gaming budget easier.
One of the best things you could do right now is to get yourself a good prepaid debit card. There’s a strong chance that your bank offers one of those, so inquire about them. Getting a card with your bank will allow you to transfer money from your bank account to your card easily either online or via the phone.
What’s great about prepaid cards is that you can put only the amount of money that you need on there. So, if you want to spend 1200R for the day, you can put it on the card and deposit it into your account. If someone manages to break into your account and get your card information, they will not be able to do anything with it. So, consider getting one of those cards today and make sure it has a low limit too.
Don’t play over a public connection
One thing you should never do is play over a public network. These networks are so easy to break into that using one gives nefarious people the opportunity to access login information and passwords. If they can get access to your email address and you’re using the same password across multiple platforms like your online banking, for instance, then you could be in a lot of trouble.
If you’re going to play over public Wi-Ff, you could look into using a VPN, but even they can cause issues. Not because they’re not secure, but because some casinos will not allow people to play when using them. So, you first have to check if the casino you want to play at allows VPNs, and then look for a reliable VPN that will keep your personal and financial information safe at all times.
Do not answer strange emails
If you ever receive an email supposedly coming from a casino asking you to “verify” your account information, be very careful. This could be a phishing attack and you could get directed to a dummy page where you’ll be asked to submit your login information.
You cannot blindly follow links and comply with whatever instructions are given to you. You first need to log into your account and see if the information in the email is consistent with what you’re seeing there. If it isn’t, contact the casino, by phone preferably, and ask them if they sent you an email or if you need to perform a specific action. Only then should you follow through.
Conclusion
These are all things that you need to do to keep your finances safe when playing at online casinos. Take the time to find a safe place to play and don’t leave yourself open to trouble by making simple cybersecurity mistakes.
