Using Your Smartphone for Online Gaming Payments? What Security Features to Look At?

The world of gaming has changed dramatically in a relatively short period of time. Not only have the games themselves evolved into fully immersive experiences, but the way we pay and play has also changed.

Online gaming has improved convenience for players all over the world, and the inclusion of additional in-game purchases has also transformed the industry. With consoles and mobile devices all offering online gaming and purchases, the importance of finding secure payment methods has never been greater.

Purchasing the latest titles, paying for premium versions of app games to avoid ads and unlock extra content, purchasing blind boxes and packs to try and win valuable players or game items, and playing the most exciting online casinos all require players to make payments. So, what should you be looking for?

Find Secure Sites

First and foremost, the site you use should be secure. Look for https rather than http at the start of the web address, and also look for a small lock logo to ensure the site is secure. The ‘S’ at the end of https stands for ‘secure’ and means the information being transferred is encrypted (more on this later).

Most gaming platforms will have their own sites and marketplaces, but bettors looking for a new casino should do their due diligence before signing up. Independent review sites can be a great way to find impartial information about the site, and checking social media to see if players have been positive about their experiences can help.

You can also check the site for their terms and conditions, as well as any other legal information that might help. This section should include any responsible gambling programs they are affiliated with, their privacy policy, and how they are regulated. (Source: GoldenPanda.com) 

Make Use of Blockchain Technology

Cryptocasinos are a popular choice among gamers because of the security and transparency provided by blockchain technology. Cryptocurrencies are a great option for online payments, especially for international transactions with no need to exchange to local fiat currencies.

Crypto’s immutability makes it almost impossible for cybercriminals to change transactions after they have been made. The public digital ledger on all transactions is also recorded on provides access to third-party auditors that ensure online operators behave fairly.

Use Multi-factor Authentication

Whenever possible, consumers should make use of multi-factor authentication offered by the sites they use or their payment providers. This adds additional layers of security that can make it difficult for opportunistic criminals to access your data.

Passwords are typically the first line of defence, so making sure you have a strong, unique password that you regularly change is important. Using the same, easy-to-remember password for all accounts might seem easier, but it could also jeopardise all of your online accounts.

A strong password should include upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters to make it more difficult to work out. Changing passwords every 3 to 6 months is recommended, but doing it more often can give you greater protection.

Many sites that operate dual-factor authentication will send a one-use code to a phone number or email address that has already been linked to the account. 

Biometric authentication is a newer option that uses everything from facial and voice recognition to fingerprint and retinal scans to confirm your identity. This is one of the most secure options available to users with the necessary hardware.

Ensure Data Transfers are Encrypted

As we mentioned earlier, using sites that use encryption to transfer data will minimise the risk of sensitive information being intercepted. Encrypted data is sent in code, with only the receiver having the correct key to decode and receive the information.

TLS (Transport Layer Security) and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technologies encrypt data between browsers and websites, with TLS being the updated version that fixes some of the vulnerabilities associated with the older SSL technology.

Check Sites for Regulatory Compliance and Licensing

If you are paying money to a site or app, you will want to know that they adhere to your local rules and regulations. There are many regulations in place to protect consumers and minimise the risk of money laundering, and ensuring the sites you use have the correct licences in place should be a priority.

Data protection regulations are also important for consumers as they hold sites accountable and ensure they have protections in place to minimise the risk of data being stolen. 

Update Operating Systems and Apps

Picking the best sites and most secure payment methods should offer consumers more protection, but it is also important that they play their part too. Using outdated operating systems and apps could put your device and data at risk.

Updates can be a frustration for players hoping to just log in and enjoy their favourite games. However, putting updates will give cybercriminals an extended window of opportunity. This is because site operators put a lot of time, effort, and expense into regularly checking the site for weaknesses.

Updates are designed to fix bugs and increase security by removing weaknesses that criminals could target. Running old apps and operating systems means that known issues are still available to exploit on your device.

Changing your settings to automatically update all of your apps whenever one is available will give you better protection, and these updates will typically take place when you don’t even realise it.

Conclusion

The size of the online gaming, app, and casino industries gives consumers a lot of choice. This can be a great thing and makes sure that players are able to enjoy their favourite games, but it can also increase the risk of making payments.

Taking the time to check the site security, who they are regulated by, and independent reviews can help players avoid sites or apps where they are at more risk. Choosing sites that allow multiple payment methods and choosing your favourite can also help, with many third-party payment services like Apple Pay and PayPal having additional security features that reduce the risk of fraud.