In recent years, cyber security has been one of the most discussed topics across the globe, from incidents that appear in the news, to emails we receive from service providers on how to safeguard ourselves, the topic has never been so prominent. More so, as our digital world continues to evolve and more of our daily lives become intertwined with the internet, knowing what cyber security is and how we can adopt it is essential.
Today’s gamers trust many sites on the web, including high quality casinos like 888casino, where people can access their favorite casino games at the click of a button. Yet, at the same time we are also giving away so much personal information when we used gaming services like online casinos, that knowing the basics of cyber security is imperative for a positive and safe experience.
Below, we’ll look at what exactly cyber security is and why it is important at an online casino.
What is cyber security?
Just like how you would lock your front door when you leave the house, turn on the alarm, and create an access code for the front gate in your driveway, cyber security provides protection in the digital world. More specifically, cyber security is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors.
The possible effects of a cyber incident include unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption to services being provided.
Why is cyber security important in today’s world?
In today’s world, most of us live some aspect of our daily lives in the virtual world. This could be from carrying out online banking, to ordering groceries online, playing at an online casino, or signing up to a video streaming service. Everything we do online leaves a digital footprint, in which we leave a doorway into our private worlds. If this doorway isn’t shut and locked correctly then outsiders can get in and see everything we are doing.
For instance, you wouldn’t let someone stand over your shoulder and watch as you entered your pin number at an ATM, so why would you enter your card details into a website that wasn’t protected too?
One of the major concerns in 2023 is that threat actors are becoming more and more sophisticated, in which cyber attacks are getting harder for everyday users to spot and unless you have a trained eye, it can be easy to fall victim to to a cyber attack.
Types of cyber attacks
There are many different types of cyber attacks that can happen, with some having a larger impact than others. That being said, any kind of cyber threat is not something that should be taken lightly.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of cyber attack below:
Phishing attack
A phishing attack uses social engineering techniques to target victims through social media, sms and email. These attacks entice the victim to share personal and sensitive information that could compromise their online accounts and personal data. They may also include a link that could transfer harmful malware onto a device.
Worms
Unlike the worms you find in your garden, these worms are self contained programs that replicate and spread across whole computer networks. Worms can be delivered by exploiting a software vulnerability or through a phishing scam. Worms have the power to modify or delete files, transport more malicious software like a trojan horse, or keep replicating until the target system collapses.
Ransomware
Most likely the most common type of cyber attack that people have heard of, a ransomware attack encrypts victims data and offers to provide a decryption key in exchange for payment. Ransomware is delivered through malicious links, unpatched vulnerabilities, and policy misconfigurations.
How are casinos at risk?
Online casinos are a huge source of personal information, from bank details of users, to personal identities, physical and virtual addresses and much more. All of this data can be exposed if the online casino hasn’t taken the correct security measures to protect users.
How do I know if a casino is trustworthy?
There are a few basic things you can check to ensure an online casino has its cyber security affairs in order. Some of these include:
- Check the digital certificate – Every website should have an up to date digital certificate that indicates they are providing basic protection to users. If the SSL certificate is out of date, your internet browser should flag this and it’s best to avoid the site.
- Use secure payment methods – While visa and MasterCard are most common, many casinos now offer more secure methods of payment such as cryptocurrency or e-wallets like Venmo and PayPal.
Overall, when playing at an online casino, it’s important to never take cybersecurity lightly. From the personal information you provide like your home address, full name or any forms of ID, to your banking details, it could all be at risk if you don’t stay aware of cyber security when online.
