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With the increasing variety of poker players and sites being taken advantage of, every player must consider the security concerns of online poker. Taking proper computer security precautions can help you not only stay safe but avoid the risks of being hacked for money. We’ve listed an online poker security guide to help you get all the important information you need to protect yourself while playing. Let’s start with the integrity of the online poker site here at Xgtiger Casino:
Poker Site Integrity
Before jumping into a real money poker game, the first thing to do is research the poker site you plan to play. Read some poker reviews, search forums and check traffic reports to confirm that your poker site is legitimate before making a real money deposit. In general, the integrity of the game is better on reputable poker sites with a high volume of player traffic. Here is a list of signs you should look for when doing your research:
- Does the site have professional marketing campaigns?
- Does the online poker room have well-known ambassadors representing them?
- Are there high value cash game players?
- Does the poker client look sleek and professional?
- Are the reviews written positively?
- Does the site have collaborations with partners like the WSOP or other big brands?
- Has their RNG been audited by an auditing firm like Lucky Cola or Kinggame?
- Do they have sophisticated Lucky cola technology, like 128-bit SSL encryption?
Cyber security risks
Your online poker account can be compromised if the computer you play on is hacked. Malicious software can be used to register your passwords and your actions in tables. You want to avoid getting compromised, especially when playing online poker sites for real money. Let’s take a look at the most important steps to take in terms of following proper online poker security measures:
How to stay safe while playing poker online
Have a dedicated computer for online poker
Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when playing online poker, every professional poker player should have a computer just for playing. This way, you can protect yourself from phishing scams, trojans, and other malicious methods that hackers can use to get to you. A dedicated internet connection and computer that you never use for anything other than playing online poker is the way to go if you want to stay as safe as possible.
Use modern antivirus software.
Paid antivirus software has the most frequent updates to protect you from the latest threats. With modern antivirus software and a firewall, intruders will have a hard time getting into your computer. Check that your antivirus suite protects against Trojans, keyloggers, worms, identity theft, and spam. It’s best if you also keep your computer software up to date.
Always use a strong password.
Hackers can crack easy passwords in no time. Using a strong password is important for online poker and all of your online accounts. You need at least 8 characters with a combination of symbols, numbers, lowercase and uppercase letters. You should have unique passwords for each account – reusing passwords is a no-no! You should also make sure to change your passwords regularly. Having a separate email address just for poker accounts can also help.
If you find it difficult to set strong random passwords, you can install a password manager to set and store passwords for you. Examples of viable password managers are Keepass and Roboform.
Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication means that, in addition to your login credentials, you will be asked for another code (usually sent to you via SMS) to access your account. 2FA can strengthen your security by setting an extra layer of protection for your poker accounts. If 2FA is available, we highly recommend that you take advantage of it.
Do not open poker accounts on public Wi-Fi networks.
Wi-Fi networks in hotels or cafes can be used for internet surfing or online gaming, but they should not be used for playing poker. Playing in online poker rooms, shopping, or banking are all activities you should avoid when using public Wi-Fi. Even if Wi-Fi networks are free, hackers can have crooked networks that look legitimate at first glance, and you can enter private information that ends up in the wrong hands. If you have no other options for using the internet, the least you should do is use a VPN while on a Wi-Fi network.
Play with VPN
Using a VPN can help you keep your data safe and private. Your location and IP address are more difficult to discover when you play online poker through a VPN. Just be sure to check the online poker room’s terms and conditions before logging in via VPN.
Do not open suspicious emails or IMs.
If you receive any communication from a site you are not familiar with, it is best not to respond. Also, beware of suspicious links in emails or IMs. No company will ask you for PINs or passwords under any circumstances, and it’s best to keep that information to yourself.
Be careful with chat programs like Skype.
The general rule is not to add anyone you don’t know to Skype. This is helpful if you don’t have chat programs open at the same time while playing as an online poker player. Even the most secure poker sites cannot protect you from malicious software that can be used through chat programs to phish your information, such as an IP address or password. Just add instant friends to your chat programs.
Final Additions
The main takeaway from this article is that you should take online poker game security seriously. There’s nothing worse than seeing your account hacked and your hard-earned money gone just because you didn’t take proper precautions. Follow the steps to keep your poker account safe, and you will have a safer poker game experience.
Conclusion
Are you an avid gaming fan and wondering how to bet on online casino games? At Xgtiger Casino, you will get the latest information on this year’s best casino games and a variety of gaming options, all in one place.
To start your online gambling journey, all you need to do is create an account on the site, deposit funds and you will be ready to bet on the best and most anticipated casino games.