Online and video games are a source of entertainment that fosters connection and interaction among people. Playing games on consoles, computers, or mobile devices is a beloved pastime for many. However, the competition for entertainment is fierce, not just from other games, but also from streaming and digital platforms. Therefore, when players encounter hacking or cheating, they may be inclined to abandon one game for another.
Nevertheless, online gaming is not without its hazards, particularly regarding dubious and fixed online gaming sites. The use of such sites can lead to severe negative consequences and side effects, including:
- Malware and viruses
- Identity theft
- Data breaches
- Account takeover
- Cyber bullying
- Phishing emails
To minimize such attacks, gamers can protect themselves by confirming a site’s legitimacy before entering any credentials. Also, they should refrain from opening unsolicited emails or text message links from unknown senders. To learn more about how to spot reputable gaming platforms, read on for our top five tips.
Watch for License and Encryption
First things first, online gaming sites that are legitimate put forth significant effort to safeguard your financial and personal data. This commitment starts at the website level, where SSL certificates protect data transmitted between your device and the gaming site’s servers.
In some instances, reputable gaming sites take additional steps to secure all data on their servers, thereby preventing malicious third-party actors from accessing it. An excellent example of such a site is IgnitonCasino.eu, which is licensed under the Curacao eGaming authority. More so, the site’s owners have gone the extra mile to provide added protection features such as SMS and reCaptcha validation, account verification, one account for one user policy, and cryptocurrency, among other measures.
That’s how you need to evaluate any website that captures your interest. At a minimum, you should examine the site’s homepage for licensing and regulation details, or search for a recognized authority’s logo.
Avoid Pirated Games
While we understand that games can be expensive, and times are tough, downloading pirated games is not a viable solution. Hackers often embed malware into “free” copies of popular games, making it incredibly risky to download them. It is always advisable to download games from official stores or safe websites.
Despite the popularity of certain platforms, such as Steam, vulnerabilities can impact users, making it crucial to remain vigilant. In December 2020, critical bugs within the Steam gaming client had to be patched after remote attackers crashed users’ games and, in some cases, even took over their computers. Thus, it is essential to stay alert as security issues can arise on any gaming client, no matter how popular it may be.
Read Online Reviews
In addition to taking precautions such as downloading from safe sites and official stores, it’s important to read online reviews to ensure that you don’t unknowingly download malware or other harmful software.
There are many resources available online where you can find user-generated reviews. As opinions on games can be subjective, it may be helpful to read multiple reviews from regular players in addition to or in place of professional articles. With some research, you’re likely to find discussions about the specific website that you’re interested in.
To further protect yourself, always be cautious about opening or clicking on links from unknown sources, pop-ups, or unsolicited messages. Pay attention to the website address, especially if you were directed to a site. If something feels suspicious or unusual, it’s best to steer clear.
Check Customer Support
Although the saying goes that a good website shouldn’t need customer support, the reality is that sometimes it’s necessary. After all, we’re only human, and issues can arise that we can’t handle on our own. When choosing a gaming site, it’s important to consider the quality of customer support provided.
Trustworthy sites offer responsive and helpful support, with representatives available 24/7 via live chat. These representatives work to resolve players’ issues, compensate for lost games, and give ample warning before suspending or closing an account.
Unfortunately, not all online gaming platforms are created equal. Some less reputable sites will shut down accounts without reason and replace real customer service representatives with bots. As a result, it’s important to do your research before committing to any particular gaming site.
Pay Attention to Details
Lastly, it is essential to be attentive to even the smallest details that may seem odd. Always trust your instincts, and if something seems off, it probably is.
Some unscrupulous gaming operators will repeatedly ask new players to provide sensitive verification documents, and even require them to transfer them through unsecured channels.This is a serious red flag, and you should stay away from such websites at all costs.
The payment options the website accepts are a vital consideration as well. Whether it be by credit and debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, or cryptocurrencies, reputable gaming websites must offer secure payment alternatives that are completed in a timely manner. This also holds true for the increasingly well-liked play-to-earn games.
It’s likely that a gaming website is unreliable if it has lengthy payout intervals or demands waiting periods before withdrawing money, especially if it takes three months or longer. As a result, it’s crucial to give gaming websites’ customer care a high priority.
