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The security systems used in online casinos

In commerce of any kind, there is nothing more important than trust. In online commercial transactions, this central tenet is especially paramount. We expect businesses to deal fairly with us, but the inherent anonymity of cyberspace makes trust a scarce commodity.

Nevertheless, online trade continues to increase exponentially across the breadth and scope of the worldwide web. A complex system of online security systems have been created to guarantee that consumers receive what they pay for, and that their financial information such as credit card transactions and bank account numbers remain secure.

These security systems have been tested, re-tested, improved and often re-engineered from the ground up to ensure the safety of each online user. This article will discuss some of the more common security systems in use, especially as they relate to the online casino industry.

Online purchasers expect value, convenience, quality, and above all else integrity. This is true regardless of the product or service offered, but perhaps no other business is more affected by this central tenet than the online casino industry. Not only must your financial information remain secure—as with any online transaction—but in addition you must also trust the gaming software to remain impartial and inviolate. An online player gambling with real money expects that the odds listed in any particular game are factual, and remain consistent regardless of time or the amount of his or her wager.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): The Online Bouncer

Gaming security is never left to chance. Every online gaming customer must trust his or her relationship with the online casino both in terms of financial security and identity security as well as in the moment to moment algorithms that simulate random chance. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the method used to guarantee a secure connection to a particular online site. It establishes an encrypted link between the server and the client. This allows sensitive information to be transmitted through the internet without risk of data being exposed to those not authorized to see it.

Digicert, an innovator in the online security industry, identifies SSL as a protocol between web browsers and servers that serves as a secure connection. The issuance of an SSL Certificate has both a public and private key which are used to confirm the identity of computers and users. Using these two keys, a secure connection is created through a process commonly referred to as an “SSL Handshake.” This encryption handshake is not like when you use to watch your internet connect to AOL—it is instantaneous and happens without the average computer user even knowing that such technology exists, let alone that it works with every loaded web page to ensure your security.

Random Number Generation: However Your Security Isn’t Random

Random number generation is the method used by all online casinos to create a genuine game of chance. Random Number Generators (RNGs) are complicated proprietary computer algorithms. While the purpose of this article is not to explain how they work, if you happen to be curious on the inner workings of RNG, I have included an informative article discussing random number generation and how they are used in online casinos.

I have to admit that “experimental evidence of Quantum Randomness Incomputability” is a skoch beyond my basic mathematical enlightenment. However, what I do understand, and what is important for the layman to understand is that any reliable, trusted online casino should provide information about their RNGs as well as undergo periodic testing and verification by an independent company which specializes in this.

Communication With Your Online Casino

From time to time it may be required that your online casino get in contact with you. If you check with your online casino’s privacy and communication policy, it is likely that they have publicly posted how they will contact you. Furthermore, they’ll have instructions for you so that you can be sure that you are talking to a legitimate representative of their casino. Below is an excerpt from one leading online poker company:

“Representatives appear in Green Text in the game software…Some use misleading usernames like “System” or “FTAdmin”. If they do not appear in green text, they do not represent us and should not be listened to.”

The Most Up-to-Date Software in any Online Community

It is not enough to ensure that just the network connection is secure. More importantly, it is necessary for online casinos to use specialized software that has been independently tested by third-party, casino gaming testing facilities, such as Technical Systems Testing (TST), for fair-play, randomness, and potential security breaches.

By affiliating with these casino gaming test organizations, online casinos can assure their online players that the casino is routinely tested and verified for compliance with all current online casino security standards. Furthermore, the software performs countless tasks such as in-house software audits, system audits, background checks on employees, solvency checks, and lots more.

Your Online Security Checklist

Paul Masterson, with Casino Test Reports, has an excellent checklist of what to look for in your safe and secure online gaming casino. Here is an expedited summary of what to look for in an online casino:

P128-bit SSL Digital Encryption (the secure “SSL Handshake” that we mentioned earlier) World-class banking options i.e. credit cards (Visa Mastercard), debit cards, prepaid credit and debit cards, direct bank transfer, etc. Anti-fraud detection and verified transactions with absolute confidentiality

Below is a list of common images that certify if an online casino is safe and secure for your online gambling, cash transactions.

While it seems as if there are a lot of security measures in place for online casinos, it has actually worked in both the users’ and the casino’s favor. We don’t often think about safety when we go to brick and mortar casinos, but many are of the opinion that online casinos are actually safer than physical casinos.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Peter Callaghan .