Out with the old, in with the new—betting online allows many bettors to enjoy the comfort of their home while placing their wagers. Participating bettors no longer need to step outside their houses and travel far just to place their bets. However, this doesn’t completely keep the bettors safe from fraud.
Predators and scammers still linger even on the internet space, and it becomes harder to catch them as they hide behind the screens. Knowing this, it’s now up to you as a bettor to also heighten the security surrounding you. To get you started, here are various ways that can help you.
Find a Highly Rated Sportsbook
Safely betting online starts with what type of gambling site you trust. Thus, before you sign up for any sportsbook online and bet on the Super Bowl 57 or NBA Finals, you must carefully investigate whether this site is trustworthy.
One sure way you can do so is by checking if the sportsbooks legally work under the law. You can check if they possess a license to accept and regulate sports bets. Before the governing body issues them a license, they’ll be under a rigorous and thorough investigation to check if they’re worthy. Thus, a license reflects their reliability.
Aside from that, some people share their experiences in sportsbooks and write a review of their transactions. You can visit popular sports betting communities and read reviews about particular sportsbooks.
Try to read and investigate the experiences and ratings of past clients and bettors of this sportsbook and figure out whether they’ll be worth it. Whether they’re sketchy or provide excellent services, people will never failingly report them.
Update Your Browser
One thing you should know about computers and the internet is that hijackers will try to grab the slightest window of vulnerability. If your browser is still in the older versions, you’ll be in the face of security threats and at risk of getting hacked.
Browsers such as Chrome and Mozilla Firefox aim to protect your data and information from such incidents. They’re constantly updating to improve their software and provide upgrades to the user. That’s why it’s best to turn on your notifications for future browser updates when you’re planning to start betting online.
Change Your Password Frequently
Your password is your first defense against unauthorized access or hackers to your sportsbook account. That’s why users are encouraged to create strong passwords for their accounts. However, having a strong password isn’t enough to keep you safe online, and to improve this, you must regularly practice changing your password.
If your password gets compromised or you forget to log out on other devices, your new password will protect you. Still, even if there are no incidents like these, try to change your password as much as you can routinely.
Purchase a VPN
VPN or Virtual Private Network is another layer of personal security measures. A VPN will help mask your information and current location from any hackers. It basically keeps your online activity private and hides you from collecting cookies. In other words, you can enjoy anonymity online, especially when using a public network, unless you log in to any sites.
When trying to find a good VPN, you must be wary of the sites offering them for free. Sometimes, they’re malware trying to bait you into installing them so hackers can penetrate your system. Although there are relatively less expensive VPNs available, since you’ll be dealing with money, it would be best to invest in reliable and good VPNs instead.
Check the Site’s SSL Certificate
SSL certificate is a layer of internet security that safeguard communications over computer networks. It ensures that the data transferred between users, websites, or systems remain impossible to read. To explain it simply, the SSL certificate works like sealing an envelope before you send it through the mail. So, before you sign up for a particular sportsbook, you must check that they are encrypted with an SSL certificate.
You can simply do this by visiting the sportsbook’s site, then heading to your browser’s search bar. Beside the search bar, a locked padlock sign should indicate that the site you’re visiting is safe. However, if a red appears on the padlock, the site isn’t secure, and it’s best to leave it.
Permit Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication is a multifactor authentication that a sportsbook may present to its bettors. Aside from just logging in with your usual details, you’ll be required to verify your identity using another factor like a key, another type of password, or a fingerprint. In common platforms like Facebook, the social media site’s 2FA includes asking for an authentication key from Google’s Authenticator.
The reason is to verify further that you had just logged in and acquired your username, email, and password, which aren’t enough to enter successfully. However, your sportsbook might require another way, so you must carefully read the instructions they’ll provide.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re more familiar with how to stay safe online, you can be at ease every time you place your bets. Still, you must keep your guard up and be attentive to your every click on the internet. Again, keep yourself safe and secure even online, and use everything you’ve read here to help you.