How to Stay Safe and Secure When Playing Online Games
Whether it’s virtual casinos, massively-multiplayer online roleplaying games (MMO RPGs), or battle royale-style shooters, online gaming has grown in popularity in recent years. Unfortunately, the more time you spend online, the more likely you are to be targeted by ransomware, phishing, and other methods employed by today’s malicious hackers. The United States government’s law agencies are doing their part to help protect citizens online from such attacks. However, this alone might not be enough to keep you protected from clever hackers and data thieves.
Today, staying safe and secure while playing games online is every player’s responsibility. If you find yourself spending more and more time on the web, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
Check for Gaming Licenses and Certifications
Almost every type of online gaming portal is subject to the scrutiny of independent testing authorities for safety and fairness. Today, this is most common for fast-rising sports betting and online casino sites, wherein digital licenses are required for operators around the world. Here in the U.S., state organizations like the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the California Gambling Control Commission issue licenses to approved online gaming operators. And it is the same across the world, as online game providers look to protect their players. In Europe, similar organizations
approve the operations of modern online gaming sites. If you scroll down to the bottom of the homepage on virtual slot provider Gala Bingo, you can see licenses and certifications from different authorities like the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association and the UK Gambling Commission prominently displayed with their slots and other games. These independent licenses and certifications indicate that the site in question has been tested and approved by the world’s preeminent online gaming authorities – not just for fairness, but also for security.
Check for Signs of Phishing and Other Suspicious Activity
When you provide your contact details to register for an MMO RPG, online casino, battle royale, or streaming account, you run the risk of getting phished. In a nutshell, phishing involves email, text, or even voice call scams intended to steal your personal and financial data. Sometimes, hackers even use the popular logos of legitimate and online entertainment providers for phishing attempts. In fact, apart from online gaming, clever phishing emails are a problem for livestreaming services like Netflix as well. So, before you click on the link of any email from any online platform, check for suspiciously generic wording and strange email addresses. Even if everything looks legitimate, if they are pressuring you to pay or send money by clicking on a link or providing sensitive info, that could be a sign of phishing as well. If you suspect any suspicious activity, contact your online gaming provider to confirm whether or not the emails, texts, or calls you receive are legitimate.
Check for Security Updates on Your Device
Keeping your primary gaming device constantly updated is an easy way to lessen the risks of being targeted by ransomware, malware, viruses, and other malicious software. In addition, you should have a dedicated anti-virus and anti-malware software like Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky installed. The more time you spend online, the more you should ensure that your protective software is up-to-date at all times. This extra layer of digital protection can significantly decrease all risks related to cybersecurity whenever you’re playing games or watching online streams.
In the digital age of online gaming and entertainment, ensuring online safety and cybersecurity is everyone’s job. Follow these aforementioned tips and you can look forward to a safe and fun online entertainment experience.
