Online betting has become very popular. A lot of people prefer to bet online than in person in bookies or casinos now because it’s a lot more convenient and much safer. However, just because it’s safer does not mean that there are not still risks. The biggest threat to online bettors is payment interception. If payments are intercepted by cybercriminals, then they can be rerouted or the people involved can have their financial information stolen.
This post will tell you about online payments, betting, and how you can stay safe in the tech age.
Payment Providers
One of the best ways to protect yourself from cybercrime is to use a payment provider to make casino deposits, rather than your bank account. There are various PayPal casinos that you can use. PayPal’s software is robust and hard for criminals to access. In recent years, they have added two-factor verification, which makes it even safer. If you hold an account with them, then it is a very good idea to use it to make casino deposits and withdrawals. Make sure that your account has two-factor verification activated, because this makes it extremely difficult for cybercriminals to get into people’s accounts. In addition to hacking your account, they would have to hack your phone, too. There are other similar payment providers that you can use, though none are as widely accepted and secure as PayPal.
Using Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency is a good alternative to using payment providers to make deposits. It should be said, however, that cybercriminals often target cryptocurrency traders. The reason for this is that crypto is an unregulated industry, and therefore, there are no consequences for their actions. If you plan on using cryptocurrency then you need to take your security very seriously. Part of taking your security seriously involves using a wallet, the details of which you store offline. If you store your crypto wallet’s details on your computer or laptop, then hackers will find it a lot easier to get into it.
Protecting Yourself
Take steps to protect yourself online before you even consider making deposits on online casinos. An important step to take is to download a firewall. A firewall is a program that protects your device from viruses and hackers. In addition to a firewall, you may also want to invest in some anti-malware software. You can use this software to scan through all of your computer’s files. If any viruses are discovered, the software will give you the option to quarantine and then delete them. A firewall and anti-malware software are great protective measures against cybercriminals and malicious viruses.
Using VPNs
A VPN is a fantastic way to keep yourself safe when you are gambling online. If you are not familiar with them, then VPNs (or virtual private networks) are programs that encrypt your web use, hiding your IP and location from hackers and even your ISP. Using a VPN is especially important if you intend on using public Wi-Fi networks to gamble. It is common in airports, bus stations, and malls for people to hijack the Wi-Fi network and then steal all of the personal and financial information of the people sharing the network with them. VPNs prevent them from being able to do this.
Monitoring Statements
If you are making deposits using your bank account directly, then make sure that you monitor your bank statements for fraud. A lot of people throw their bank statements straight into the trash when they get them, but this is a very bad idea. Monitoring your statements will give you the opportunity to identify any fraud or potential attempts at fraud. If you have mobile banking, then you can monitor your statements there. Most banks give people with mobile banking the opportunity to go completely paperless and receive their statements online.
Account Details
Finally, whether you use PayPal, a cryptocurrency wallet, or your bank account, never submit your account details to a casino unless a VPN is activated, and never store them on your computer. Storing account detail on your computer makes it very easy for cybercriminals to access it. All a cybercriminal needs to do is to hijack your computer, and then they can access all of the data and information that’s stored there. The best way to store this information is on a piece of paper, preferably inside a safe where nobody can get to it.
The internet is, unfortunately, a very dangerous place. Cybercrime is a real threat that you need to be aware of. If you do not take steps to protect yourself from it, then you could fall victim to fraud or hack attempts. If you implement the suggestions made here, then it’s not something you’ll ever have to worry about.
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