Staying Secure While Gaming Online
We’re slowly but surely moving toward an always-connected reality. Just take a look around your local electronics store if you don’t believe me. You’ll find televisions that are Internet-ready, you’ll see refrigerators that allow you to post on Facebook, and there are even appliances that can remotely alert the manufacturer if it malfunctions. Anyone and everyone wants your data, and all of these things give hackers new avenues to access it.
It’s understandable, then, that people are more than a little apprehensive about signing up for online gaming sites. You’re willingly giving away your most personal data without any clue where it’s going. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can safeguard yourself. Sometimes it’s more about using common sense than anything else.
The first thing that you should do is research the site that you’re wanting to use. Sure, they may offer a no deposit bonus as a means to drive new customers in, but are they a legitimate site? Look up information regarding the site, and, if all else fails, contact the site’s administrator and ask what measures they take to ensure that your data is protected.
Use alternate means of payment. While it’s tempting (and easy) to just enter your credit card details into the site, consider going about it in another manner. Most sites are starting to accept Bitcoin, which is a virtual currency and completely anonymous, so you can rest easy, even if the site’s data is breached. There are sites dedicated to providing alternate methods of payment on casino sites, such as Neteller, Click2Pay, and eWalletXpress. Remember what happened to Target? Sites and retailers can be breached, so it’s better to be proactive rather than reactive.
Speaking of being proactive rather than reactive, when was the last time you actually updated your antivirus protection on your computer? It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Just because you’re browsing the net and haven’t noticed any changes doesn’t mean there hasn’t actually been any. It’s crucial to remain up-to-date on all antivirus protection. Also, be smart when browsing the Internet. Don’t install extra toolbars, don’t download and run executable programs from shady websites, etc. You’ve likely heard all of this information before, but it’s more crucial now than ever. One of the more popular viruses is a keylogger, which installs itself into your computer without your knowledge. It records every single keystroke than you make, then remotely e-mails the results to a designated e-mail address.
Gaming online is a safe, fun, and exciting activity, assuming you know what you’re doing. Don’t randomly sign up for a website just because it looks cool. Do your research, protect yourself, and protect your data. One tiny error on your part could lead to a literal lifetime of headaches.