Whether your online game of choice is something like Call of Duty or you prefer the thrill of the online casino, it can be easy to forget that you are putting yourself – and your sensitive personal and financial information – out there for anyone to see.
Whether you are looking for a new casino site to play on or you are sharpening your shot in online console gaming, you need to take the steps needed to keep yourself safe while still having fun.
In this guide we will be looking at the simple ways you can give your personal details the best chance of being kept out of the wrong hands so that you can play the games that you want to, safely.
Choose Sites Carefully
While this mostly refers to online gaming sites, it does have some bearing on the places that you can download games from, too.
When you are choosing a casino site, for example, you need to make sure that it is licensed and regulated for the area in which you live. This means that the company running the site must adhere to certain standards of fair play as well as security, and it needs to have the right protection in place for every single player.
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Strong Passwords
This is the part of the security process that hinges on you. While it might be tempting to just use a simple password for every site you access, this is just asking for trouble. Choose a different password for every account you create so that if one is compromised, the others are more likely to be safe.
Strong passwords should include:
- Lowercase letters
- Uppercase letters
- At least one number
- At least one special character
The best passwords are at least 16 characters long.
If you can, use a password generator for every site you access.
Multi-Factor Authorisation
Many websites are now building this in to their own security protocols, and it adds another layer of protection for gamers. Your login is a standard password access point, but then the website will send a notification to something else you have to double check the authentication.
This often consists of a six-digit code sent to your registered email address or to a mobile phone. You can also use an authenticator app.
Virtual Private Networks
VPNs encrypt your internet communication, masking your IP address and making every online transaction more anonymous. Hardcore PC gamers used to avoid using them because they could slow down internet speeds and cause lags and delays – which was obviously problematic when it came to games that need laser-sharp focus and timing.
However, modern VPNs are capable of offering buffer-free service, and the opportunity to further disguise yourself and your location adds another layer of security to all your online activity.
Anonymous Username
While we will be delving more into personal information in a minute, choosing the right username for whatever online gaming site you are using is necessary.
The biggest names in the gaming business are usually more recognisable by their gamertag than by their ‘real’ names, so it is perfectly normal to choose a name that does not identify you as a person but is easy to remember for your team mates.
Don’t be tempted to use your real name (it’s probably taken already, anyway).
Personally Identifiable Information
Making friends online is one of the best things about gaming, whether you are chatting with other players in an online bingo hall or teaming up to win at Fortnite.
Even adults need to remember that people online might not be who they say they are, and giving out personally identifiable information (PII) like your name or location can reveal more about you than you hope.
Keep personal information offline unless you are certain who you are sharing it with.
Don’t Be Afraid to Block People
You do not have to communicate with anyone online that you don’t want to, and every place where you can interact with other players allows you to block them if you want to.
Anyone who is making your feel uncomfortable, is being rude or aggressive, or is acting in a way that you consider to be scammy, can be blocked. You might consider reporting them to the site hosts, too, as further action might be required.
Protect Your Financial Information
If you make online purchases or you are topping up your online casino account, you might think it is quicker and easier to save your card details – but this isn’t always the best idea.
Before you hit the ‘buy now’ button, make sure that the site is secure (look for the padlock in the address bar). Don’t save card details for next time, and even consider utilizing an eWallet such as PayPal for extra security.
Following these tips will help make your exciting gaming experience as safe as possible without changing too much about how you play.