The internet is filled with many wonderful experiences, a wealth of knowledge, and the ability to entertain just about anyone.

Unfortunately, for all of the good the internet has brought to the average household, there’s an equal amount of sinister dealings happening at the same time.

While the web may not be all sunshine and roses, we can help keep ourselves safe from those who want to do nothing but rain on our parade. We can’t stop hackers from trying to steal personal information, online casino account logins, or important files – but we can do everything possible to protect ourselves from prying eyes.

But where do we begin? We’ll help you get started and learn a few important ways to implement cyber security.

 What is Hacking?

We’re sure you’ve heard of the term “hacking” before now. Initially, the term “hacker” was used to describe a tech expert that could solve any technical problem using their skill.

Today, it may trigger images of underground groups hunched over their PCs with screens filled with code and numbers.

While that may be the case in the movies, hacking is used by criminals to gain access to personal information and data that can be used to steal from you. Often that can take place in the most unsuspecting ways.

 Are You at Risk of Being Hacked?

Perhaps you spend most of your time enjoying online casino games or browsing Facebook. You may consider yourself too “unimportant” to be hacked. What could a criminal possibly want with your information, right?

The fact is, we’re all at risk of having our devices hacked. Hackers use any information they can find to use or sell as they see fit.

Hackers are always out to find the following:

➀ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) – This can include your name, social security or ID number, date of birth, tax number, medical records, or any other form of personal information that could help a criminal access your accounts.

➁ Activity from time on the internet – Browsing data, cookies from websites, ISP logs, plugins that read your data, and even the websites you visit can all be sold to advertisers.

➂ Emails and social media accounts – Emails tend to have a lot of personal and financial information stored that we all want to keep private. Even instant messages and texts can reveal a lot about how we spend our time and money.

➃ Data from connected devices – Real-time connections via our devices could give full access to a hacker that wants to steal documents or drop viruses onto your computer. This can take place via connections through apps such as Skype.

If you tick any of the boxes mentioned above, you could be a target for hacking. But there’s no need to fear!  Keep reading to learn how to keep yourself safe.

 How to Protect Yourself Online

Every time you connect to the internet via your computer or mobile device, you need to make sure that you’re protected. When you’re using your computer, there are many ways to stay safe.

Using anti-virus software or a VPN can help keep your connections safe and your devices clear of viruses. A virus can find its ways onto your computer in many different ways. The most popular is via a phishing scam email.

These emails are often disguised as innocent forms of communication. They could even seem to be from companies you know such as your favourite online casino or the bank you use everyday.

Phishing emails are designed to look exactly like a normal email you would open without thinking twice. However, there are usually a few pointers that can help you spot a scam.

• Does the email address look like it’s from your bank or a business you trust?
• Is the logo out of focus or pixelated in any way?
• Is there a suspicious attachment that requires you to download it or provide personal information to open?

If you’re ever in doubt, contact the company the email claims to be from and enquire about its legitimacy.

While computers are the main target of hackers and scammers, mobile devices are just as at risk. Many users believe that accessing the internet via a mobile browser is 100% safe. At one point, it was believed that iOS on Apple devices was completely unhackable – but this isn’t the case.

Just as technology evolves, so does the technology used by criminals. It’s important to always make sure that you’re visiting legitimate sites and that you avoid opening any links that you don’t know or trust.

 Top 5 Anti-Virus Software

Anti-virus software is a great way to protect your computers from hackers. Trusted companies who create anti-virus software constantly upgrade known virus logs and can help you protect you on a daily basis.

Here are 5 of the best anti-virus software available now:

1. Norton
2. Bitdefender
3. Panda
4. McAfee
5. TotalAV

Use a trusted anti-virus program and keep it updated. Let the software scan your PC regularly and it will inform you if there are any suspicious or potentially dangerous files that need to be dealt with.

 5 Best VPN Providers

A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) connects you to a service via the internet that creates an encrypted space for you to browse safely. Using this encrypted space, you are practically untraceable and all of your information is kept from prying eyes.

You can use a VPN to access sites outside of your region, do your banking with peace of mind, or even play your favourite casino games without worrying about your account being hacked.

Here are the top 5 VPN providers you can sign up with today:

1. ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost
3. IP Vanish VPN
4. Vypr VPN
5. Private VPN

A VPN can be used every time you connect to the internet via your PC or mobile device. Be sure to find out if the service you choose has a mobile app to download.

 Playing Safe at an Online Casino

If you enjoy spending your time playing at an online casino, there are a few tips you should keep in mind when selecting how and when you log on to your account.

• Choose a safe online casino – Take your pick of our GamblersPick  casinos and to find a site that is legal and licensed. Choosing a casino that is regulated means you’re already in good hands.
• Play through a VPN – If your casino accepts logins via a VPN, simply set your service to the country your live in and play through the encrypted connection for extra protection.
   
• Select a payment provider you trust – Depending on how you want to deposit and withdraw your funds, you should choose a payment that you’re comfortable with. If you prefer to gambling use cryptocurrency, that is possible at many online casinos today too.

Protect yourself from hacking and harm as you enjoy your time online and you’ll have the best experience possible. Stay one step ahead of criminals using our tips and always choose a safe online casino to make the most of your time on the internet.