Data security is crucial today, as we spend more and more time online working and playing, and share more and more personal data with various platforms. These days, entertainment platforms like social media, video gaming platforms, online gambling sites, and cool reading sites enjoy increased popularity, since offline fun and socialization have been limited.
But the main problem with the entertainment sites is that they are so irresistible sometimes, that new users neglect the basic rules of data protection, and rush to have fun as quickly as possible. And yet, such platforms, although not obligatory fraudulent on their own, attract many scammers and fraudsters, and this is especially true for websites where payments are made. This is why it is crucial to follow all the steps to provide protection of sensitive data.
Privacy Policy
If you want your data to be secure, please read Privacy Policy first. It seems to be a long and boring document, but it explains what data the site collects, how, why, and how it uses your data.
Different platforms collect different types of data. For example, reads like Washington Post or Bored Panda collect mostly your IP, your email if you subscribe, and this is basically all. While stealing your IP address by a third party can also be harmful for you, the main point is that the mentioned websites are reputable and have stood the test of time already.
However, video gaming sites or online casino sites demand more of you – you have to create personal accounts and provide real information about yourself, like name, age, phone number and / or email, country, city, address, etc. If you pay for an advanced account for a video game, or buy items, or if you create an account at an online casino with 1 dollar deposit, the platform will also require your ID documents to confirm the account, and your payment to accept and make payments. This is why the general rule is the more entertainment you get, the more data you are about to share.
Reading Privacy Policy, and also Terms and Conditions, is the first thing to do after you decide you are interested in this or that platform. But this is not the last step.
Watch Out for Risks
Being a diligent user and reading Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy is not enough today; moreover, gone are the days when fraudulent sites were clearly visible due to absence of HTTPS website addresses and SSL certificates. According to the recent research, over 30% of phishing sites already use SSL certificates, and therefore Google does not mark them as suspicious. The higher stakes are expected by the fraudsters, the more money they invest into technology, to make their platforms look trustworthy.So, to increase your data protection, follow the next seven simple tips.
Tips 1 – Social Media
Check the platform’s accounts on social media. How old are the accounts, how many publications and followers they have, how many likes and relevant comments are there under publications, etc. You have to grow suspicious if there are no accounts at all, if the accounts are inactive, or recent. Few entertainment sites today miss the opportunity to get increased exposure for their business at free social media platforms.
Tip 2 – Reputation and Legibility
Regardless of whether the social media profile of the platform looks good or not so good, google the platform and check the reviews, the news about it, or what other people say on forums. While this step may seem too much of an effort, it is crucial if you are expected to pay money on the platform. Check its reputation online before you connect your bank card to it.
Tips 3 – Avoid Emails
While subscribing to a newsletter often seems natural, it is better to avoid emails from entertainment platforms. If you make an account with them, they will anyways send you updates and news; if not, getting extra emails from a website you are not even registered with is just extra hussle. Again, if you want to know what they are up to, subscribe for their social media. If there are no social media accounts, that brings us back to Tip 1.
Tip 4 – Avoid Dubious Downloads
Today, downloading anything except an official mobile app or reliable software makes little sense, because everything is streamed online. Video games and online casino games, and even sports betting and animal racing entertainments are provided for instant access online. Therefore, if you are asked to download anything, think twice. Even if the website itself is reliable, there are cases when download links are added by hackers and contain malware that infects the devices.
Tips 5 – Payment Data Security
If you are expected to pay for services of the platform, or even accept money from the platform (when we are talking about online casino sites or sports betting sites), you have to provide your real data, including payment details, and get them verified by the Customer Support. No verification means no payments are processed, but verified data also means your payment channels get more vulnerable. This is why consider using facilitator services for making and receiving payments. When you pay, use prepaid vouchers or mediator sites that add an extra layer of security between the merchant and your bank account. When you are paid, accept money on a separate online wallet, or again, use the mediator service.
Tip 6 – Shortened Links
Avoid shortened links that can contain links to malware or to a phishing site. While shortened links were created to be useful, this is one of the most popular methods to redirect an unaware user to a wrong place. If you think the link is useful, check it for reliability first.
Take Time to Login
When you create an account with any new platform, take time to login and invent a unique password. Better withstand the temptation to login everywhere with your Google or Facebook account. While Google services are more protected, logging in with Facebook is definitely a big no no – especially if you tend to do that with every new platform. Considering all the cases of account hacking and data leakages, using this site for login every time makes your data more and more insecure.
Final Thoughts
Keeping personal data and sensitive info secure is a complicated task nowadays. Yet, we can’t avoid digital media, work, and connection via online services. Therefore, learning the cybersecurity rules is crucial.