Online video games are an exciting and immersive way to relieve stress after a long day. Some people have even turned online gaming into a profession. But as you log on to play your favorite online games, especially if those games involve money, you could be exposing yourself to cyberattacks. Unscrupulous cyber criminals stalk gaming websites looking to defraud unwitting gamers through botnets, malware, and phishing scams. One way you can protect yourself is to always determine the legitimacy of a gaming website before using it. Here are six ways to do this.
Read Reviews
Many users leave online reviews about their experience with a gaming website – this can be a treasure trove of information. Run a quick google search of the site in question and see what other people are saying. Through reviews, you can easily tell a legitimate provider from a potential scammer. That said, it is important that you do not read reviews posted on sites affiliated to the gaming website in question. Opt instead for dedicated review authorities like legaluspokersites.com, which tells you which online poker providers are safe, legitimate, and legal in your area.
Check the Domain Name
Always check the website URL for red flags. The URL, which consists of a connection type (https or http), the domain name, and an extension, can tell you a lot about a gaming website. You should be suspicious if the domain name contains multiple symbols or dashes or it seems to imitate another popular business. Moreover, avoid gaming sites with extensions like .info and .biz.
Confirm the Encryption
Legitimate gaming sites use SSL or TSL encryption to protect your personal and financial data as it is transferred across servers. You can usually confirm this through an SSL certificate posted on the website’s homepage or a green padlock present on the left of the site’s URL. Usually, an encrypted site will also have the connection type “https” and not “http.”
Review the Site Language and Design
One of the most tell-tale signs of an untrustworthy gaming site is poor language and design. Because these sites are often put together in a rush, they will often feature grammar and spelling errors and awkward phrasing. You may also notice that the color and layout elements used on the site do not match the brand identity of the represented company.
Study the Ads
Many gaming sites feature ads within their interfaces but these are usually targeted and relevant. If you are playing online poker, for instance, you may see an ad for an upcoming poker tournament. However, you should avoid a site if its ads are increasingly invasive, numerous, or suggestive and explicit. You should also be wary of sites with ads that play automatically, take up a whole page, redirect you to another page, or ask you to provide personal information to proceed.
Use the Contact Page
Never trust a gaming website without a contact page. If the provider does offer some contact information, try to use it to see if they are reachable. You can send an email to the provided address or call the customer service number. Fast and comprehensive responses signal a legitimate site.
Wrapping Up: The Extra Step
Multiple tips and tools exist to help you determine the safety and legitimacy of gaming websites. But, your online safety is not necessary guaranteed by picking a secure provider. You also need to be mindful of common human errors that could expose you to data security breaches. For instance, set a complex password to secure your gaming account and do not share this password with anyone. Also avoid clicking on suspicious links and emails.