Can your system get infected with viruses if you visit a gambling website?Gambling can be as simple as truth or dare or as serious as betting at the races and on games and matches. We bet on grades, hikes in pays, presidential elections and on the actions of our friends.
When the internet comes into the picture, the
options for gambling are manifold. But also manifold are all the threats that come with it, especially viruses, spyware and malware.
Perhaps the most famous case of gambling site virus is the Panda virus. Created by two Chinese men, the virus stole millions of online gaming user ids and passwords from the computers it infected. This information proved to be a goldmine for the creators, netting them close to $16000. Once busted, the creators tried to go legit, but soon set up another illegal gambling site. They were caught again and now face many years of jail time.
Is a gambling site capable of infecting your device with a virus?Vulnerable websiteThe truth is that any website is capable of being infected by a virus. All it needs is a weak spot or vulnerability that a hacker can make use of. The website administrator does not get to know about it at all. Until you get complaints about your site, you may not even know that someone has hacked into it or unleashed a virus to cause damage to it.
Vulnerable SystemIt follows that if your system or computer is vulnerable, not protected by anti-virus software, then you leave yourself open to all sorts of trouble. For instance, you may find that no matter what you search for, your search is directed to an ad-filled page. This is especially true when you look for a free gambling toolbar. In fact, any freebie comes with its own issues; free screensavers are attractive but can also attract trouble.
Phishing The other problem with gambling sites is that you may become a target for
phishing scams. Emails sent from these scams can trick you into giving sensitive personal information. It’s hard to detect because the email looks real and professional, down to the proper official seals and addresses. Once the scammers have passwords or bank details, you could be in for a lot of pain.
Identity TheftOne of the biggest concerns with viruses is identity theft. Crooks who have access to your bank details and any other information stored on your system, can wreak havoc, literally taking over you life. It’s a long and laborious process to set identity theft right.
Cheat CodesLured by quick money, users often download ‘cheat documents,’ thereby inviting viruses.
While things may look scary, we must keep in mind that having viruses on their websites is not good business sense and gambling sites know it. How can they ensure repeat visits with malware threats? So, legitimate sites make sure that they are protected from virus, spyware and malware. Knowing what these sites are, playing the game in a legitimate manner, and not divulging details on the messenger board are some ways to ensure that you stay safe.
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Topic: Can your system get infected with viruses if you visit a gambling website? (Read 8525 times)
