More and more conventional players are shifting to online gaming these days. This has become more apparent with the surge of many online betting apps and websites today. During the pandemic, many casino players have signed up for online casinos to still enjoy their favorite games without leaving the house and possibly contracting the virus.
Now that the pandemic has gradually receded, the number of online bettors continues to grow, making the market even stronger in the post-pandemic era. However, as many bettors shift to online gaming, many users have experienced issues regarding online privacy and safety.
To help you navigate online gaming without compromising security, we have prepared a comprehensive guide for you.
Choose legitimate websites and apps.
With the rising number of online gamers, there is also a strong demand for gaming websites and applications. Well, you can find thousands of gaming sites online. However, it’s essential to identify which ones can be trusted, especially if you are playing for money.
There are many ways to determine a platform’s legitimacy. For instance, if you are playing a casino, you may seek licenses or certifications from online gaming regulators from the casino control board. In addition, you may read user reviews for online casino sites like FanDuel Online Casino, among many other platforms online.
You may also check out the responsiveness of their customer service team by shooting them a message. Observe if they can promptly revert. This will determine if they are committed to delivering quality service to users, thus affirming their legitimacy.
Do not use credit cards.
Do not ever use your credit cards and debit cards when playing online. Well, this might be the easiest option to play for money. However, when cyber attackers find ways to obtain your personal information, you can lose all your funds from your account. It’s not worth the risk, so avoid this payment method.
A virtual credit card is the safest payment method when gambling or placing bets online. Credit card companies can provide you with a virtual credit card. Basically, they are linked to your personal credit card account, but they don’t share the exact details like code or card number, expiration date, and CVV/CVC code.
You may also use an e-money wallet. For this payment option, you must only provide your username, e-mail, or both, making it safe from cyber attackers.
Always log out after playing.
Whether you are playing from single or multiple devices, it’s recommended to always log out after playing. Remote hackers can get access to your account, so if you suspect someone is using your account, it’s recommended to log out from all of the devices and stop hackers from getting into your account.
You can go to your website or app settings and choose “log out from all devices.” To reinforce security, you may also change your password.
Use VPN.
While playing online, snoopers and hackers might try to steal and misuse your personal information. Plus, you might suffer from poor experience due to network congestion and interference. You can avoid these issues by using a virtual private network (VPN).
What’s more, you can access online games and prohibited content in your area with a VPN. Plus, you can avoid lagging, buffering, or low-quality streaming as you encounter targeted ads and trackers trying to observe your browsing habits and patterns.
Be careful with in-app purchases.
Most free gaming platforms feature in-app purchasing, allowing users to access premium features, subscriptions, and game add-ons. They come as extra lives or new levels, among many other add-ons. You must provide your credit or debit card details to avail of in-app purchases. Extra purchases are optional, but once you have decided to purchase something, there will be no extra steps and text alerts. The cost will be automatically deducted from your account.
It’s essential to be cautious with in-app purchases. If you purchase something using an unsecured network, you might expose your personal information to hackers, compromising the funds in the linked bank account. So, avoid in-app purchases using public or shared networks. You may also select the option to enter your password before purchasing online.
Use strong passwords.
Cybercriminals and hackers can hack weak passwords through brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, and social engineering. For this reason, you must use strong passwords with characters like upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Lengths also matter, so make sure to compose at least 12-character passwords.
Also, consider using a password manager to ensure your password in every gaming platform is unique and avoid forgetting your logins. Updating your passwords every month is recommended for maximum security, especially on sites that collect your personal and financial information.
Final Thoughts
Online gaming has been one of the favorite pastimes of many internet users today. They can be accessed through sites or mobile and desktop apps, making them accessible to all users. However, observing measures to protect your privacy and security while playing online is important. With the tips we have covered here, we hope you are more confident in paying for your favorite games, knowing your personal and financial information will never be compromised.