Online Gaming Safety Tips for Novices

Online gaming is an appealing prospect for a lot of people due to a variety of reasons including a wide selection of games and convenience. However, the rise of online gaming has brought with it some safety concerns that all players should protect themselves from. This is especially true when you consider the fact that online gaming sites often hold players’ personal and financial information. For this reason, you should learn to protect yourself when gaming online. Here are a few tips on how to do just that.

Install Antivirus Software and Use a VPN

Using antivirus software is good practice for anyone who uses the internet a lot, but it is particularly important if you play casino games. If you have to download software from your favourite sites, the antivirus will make sure that you do not download any viruses, worms, trojans or other malware to your computer.

A VPN, on the other hand, ensures that the connection between you and the gaming server connection is encrypted. This is especially important in the prevention of man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors intercept data and then use it for nefarious purposes.

Do Not Download Software Unless You Have To

Most reputable casinos make it easy to play any game you like on their website using a browser. However, some will ask you to install software for the best gaming experience. This is never a good idea unless under very specific conditions.

When you download software from sources you do not completely trust, you open up yourself to getting your computer infected with all manner of malware. 

The only exception is casinos that have a high reputation and that you trust completely. Also, make sure you do some research before installing any casino software on your computer to know exactly what it will be doing when you install it and if there is anything you need to be worried about.

Check Their Safety Protocols

There is always a worry when giving a gaming company your personal and banking information. However, all online casinos should have high-end encryption. An SSL certificate is pretty much standard these days. The site should also prominently display information on how they encrypt data. If it is not promptly displayed, it should be easy to find. A failure on both ends is a massive red flag and you should move to another site.

Find a Trustworthy and Reputable Gaming Site

In many ways, one of the best ways to ensure you stay safe when gaming online is to find a reputable site you can play on. There are innumerable gaming sites you can choose, some that routinely see players win a huge amount of money or that have high bonuses, and this can be deceptive because there may be underlying safety concerns you might overlook due to the shiny material on top (winning, bonuses, etc.)

A trustworthy gaming site is one that is certified and licensed. Licensed casino operators are usually subject to routine independent audit checks, meaning that the chances of unfair gaming practices or fraud are very low. For a casino to be certified and issued a licence from an authorised jurisdiction, it has to undergo rigorous security checks and meet stringent requirements.

Trustworthy casinos are powered by reputable and safe casino operators. Examples of these operators include Microgaming, RTG, Vegas Tech and many others. 

Players also need to ensure that the casino is using a reputable payment processor. Many of these payment processors are safe and secure but the casino has to make sure they use a wide variety of them to satisfy users with different preferences.

To check a casino’s trustworthiness and reputation, you need to find as much information about the casino as possible. While the testimonials on their website are a good touch, it is important to look for independent reviews. Websites that post new slots for players to try out usually have reviews of reputable, trustworthy and safe casinos where players can play slots. For example, this post on new slots that you can play is brought to you by Online Casinos, a website that does deep dives on new, popular and older casinos to tell gamers everything they need to know, including how safe the casinos are, the number and types of games they have, as well as if they have a mobile gaming option.

Check Their Customer Service

Good customer service means that it will be easy for you to find information or help in case something goes wrong. Displaying ways to get in touch with their customer service agents also means that they have nothing to hide and are so confident in their systems that they are not afraid to take questions about them.

Read the Fine Print

Terms and conditions pages are long and boring so many people click on “Accept” without reading them to get rid of the bother and start playing right away. This is the wrong approach as you need to read the terms and conditions and privacy pages carefully.

The main reason for reading the terms and conditions is to find out if there are any red flags you should be aware of. These are usually around depositing and withdrawing money as there may be conditions around this or some fees you might not otherwise know about.

Reading the privacy pages allows you to find out what a casino will do with your data once they have it. You need to know how this data is processed and which third-party actors have access to your data and what they will do with it. You do not want your personal data passed to advertising agencies that will send you marketing emails for the rest of your life.

Protecting yourself as well as your personal and financial information is vital when playing online games. This is why you must always be on the lookout for any potential red flags that might tell you that you or your data will not be safe with a certain company. The number one rule to follow is that if there are any doubts on your part, you should leave and instead choose another gaming platform.