With the rapid growth of computer and internet penetration, cyber crimes have started impacting millions of people and causing losses of billions of dollars. Data shows that nearly five hundred million users have somehow been affected by cyber criminals and their malicious activities. All applications and websites are susceptible to cyber crimes, but the betting industry is a favorite of most cybercriminals.
There are several reasons why the gambling industry is susceptible to cyber crimes, and some of those reasons will be discussed in this blog post. So, if you are planning on betting and enjoying games online, it makes sense to go through app reviews on sites like
https://clarionherald.info/sports/betobet-partners-affiliate-program-review.
Gambling Apps And Cyber Crime
There are several reasons why gambling apps have become the favorite target of online scamsters. Some of the reasons why online casinos are the prime targets of online hackers are as follows.
The Multi-Billion Dollar Business With A Huge Turnover
It is common knowledge that the gambling industry, including sports betting, is a multi-billion dollar industry. There are many people who make huge money out of betting apps every day. So hackers or scammers target these sites to take advantage of the large amount of money in these systems. Moreover, with the introduction of crypto casinos, the stakes have risen further. Because cryptos are unregulated by government entities, following the criminal’s trail becomes all the more difficult.
Use Of Third-Party Apps
Many users who gamble online make use of third-party apps like cheat tools, apps that monitor gambling activities, etc., to improve their gambling profile. The use of third-party apps makes it easier for hackers to attack betting apps.
The Vast User Base
Any app that has a huge user base is an easy target for hackers. If they can infiltrate the app developer’s system, they can get hold of the personal details of all the players who use that site.
Threats While You Gamble
Every single minute that you spend on a gambling site, you are vulnerable to a cyber attack. So when you log in, place bets, and enter the details of your payment wallet, you may be scammed or cheated. So, as a vigilant user, you must know about all the different types of threats that you are susceptible to while you are enjoying a gambling game.
DDoS Attack Or Distributed Denial Of Service Attack
This type of attack is the most common in gambling apps or websites. In such attacks, the hacker overfloods the system so much so that the users cannot access the system.
Malware Or Virus
Malware and virus attacks are common when players use cheaper versions of a person’s favorite games. A virus replicates itself and damages the software. So, every time you use cheat codes or make use of items sold by third-party sellers, you increase the risk of a virus or malware attack.
Stealing The Identity Of Users
Chat apps that are integrated into a gambling app are used to lure players into revealing sensitive or personal information. The personal information of players can then be used to carry out malicious activities with their stolen identities.
Cyberbullying
Several acts, like threatening, intimidating, and sharing morphed pictures, are collectively referred to as cyberbullying. In a betting app, cyberbullying happens to intimidate a player, make him back off if he is winning, or reveal his cards in games like poker.
Doxxing
Publishing personal details like name, age, phone number, and residential address to shame a victim is referred to as doxxing. The exact intent behind doxxing can be varied, from exacting revenge to doing it for fun.
Data Theft From The App Provider’s Server
At times, the app provider or the website owner’s entire site may be compromised. And in such cases, the hacker may get hold of the data of all the players. Such thefts are quite frequent when the site does not use encryption to protect against the loss of user data.
Protecting Yourself From Being A Victim Of Cybercrime
There are several cyber threats to betting online, and as a responsible user, it is your duty to protect yourself against the harmful impacts of cybercrime. Here are some tips to protect your personal data and financial details when you play your favorite game next time.
Do Not Be Casual When Setting Passwords
Setting up a password that lets you access the gambling site needs a lot of consideration. Ideally, the site must only accept passwords that are strong, make use of special characters and numerals, and are at least eight to ten characters long.
Moreover, many people are lazy enough not to set different passwords for different apps that they use. However, if you use the same password for all apps, a hacker who gains access to one password can infiltrate all your accounts. So, even if it is difficult to remember multiple passwords, it is worth the effort to keep different passwords for different accounts.
Make Sure The Website Has SSL Protection
SSL creates an encrypted link between the web server and the browser, so it protects the player’s information that they share on the website.
Make Sure To Use Two Factor Authentication
The use of two-factor authentication for unlocking payment wallets means the use of two distinct identities to unlock the wallet. It is easy to hack one type of identity, but hacking two different and unique identities is tough.
Conclusion
The online gambling industry is a fast-growing industry. Every day, several people join an online betting app to enjoy their favorite games and also bet from the comforts of their homes. However, online gambling sites are also highly vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches. So players, as well as app developers, have to be very cautious when they play or develop a betting app.
Hence, the next time you put your bank details or personal details in an app, make sure you are using a safe and secure app.