Whether you use a smartphone, laptop or tablet, ensuring that you’re safe while playing at an online casino South Africa is of paramount importance.  Now, even more so than ever before, there is a pressing need for all South Africans to give their overall cybersecurity some serious thought.

News Flash: Cyber Attacks on the Rise in South Africa

Why are we sharing this warning?  It is certainly not to cause panic or sound any unnecessary alarms – but fact is, cybercrime is on the rise, not only globally, but here in South Africa too.  As much as our online casino South Africa is equipped with high-end security features that make for a safe gaming environment, you need to do your part too.

Even with our encryption technology and other top-quality safeguards, your online casino South Africa account itself will only be as secure as your device is.  Now for the actual reason we are re-reminding you to secure your digital selves!

Cybercrime Results in R2.2 Billion in Losses to Public Per Annum

As we’ve mentioned, there has been a massive increase in cyber-related crimes, in all forms.  PwC’s global economic crime and fraud survey 2022 states “Cybercrime tops the list of current threats facing businesses”.  This is in sync with a previous PwC South Africa report which stated, “expect cybercrime to be the most disruptive type of economic crime over the next two years”.

Only, that 2018 prediction was true for the next four years and in their 2022 report, cybercrime overtook consumer fraud as the top threat faced by people and businesses.  The  South African Banking Risk Information Centre has previously reported that the total cost of the South African public who fell victim to cybercrime reached R2.2 billion per annum.

This indicates that not only businesses are affected, although there is a ripple effect.  First, let’s look at the main driving forces behind cybercrime attacks – and how they are typically executed:

• Financial gain – This is where businesses and regular citizens commonly fall victim.  Perpetrators looking for financial gain will do so via EFT fraud, ransomware and a variety of other digital attacks.  It also includes the theft of personal information, which perpetrators monetise in various ways.
• Economic, political and/or military advantage – This usually involves governments or nation states.  It could be to obtain trade secrets, info on emerging tech or critical infrastructure, sensitive business information and more.  The end goal is either to gain a strategic and/or political advantage.
• Activism – Otherwise harmless and used to effect positive change, when ‘weaponised’ in digital form, it is often referred to as ‘hacktivism’.  It could be used to influence a political agenda, further an ideology or to enforce social change.  It often involves threats of intercepting websites or stealing data, accompanied by a bold statement.  The aim is also to cause harm to the target’s reputation.

Massive Data Breaches in South Africa Leave Millions Exposed

In March of 2022, TransUnion, the largest Credit bureau in South Africa, fell victim to cybercrime.  Unlike the Experian data breach in 2021, The Information Regulator stepped in and ordered TransUnion to “publicise details of information hackers have stolen in newspaper and television adverts and on all radio channels using all of SA’s official languages”.

Of the 54 million South Africans who were exposed, TransUnion stated that at least 3 million South Africans were impacted by the breach.  What was the driving force behind this cyber-attack?  Money.  As listed above, the hackers committed the crime for ‘financial gain’.

To be more precise, the hacker group ‘N4aughtysecTU’ demanded a ransom of $15 million (R225 million) in exchange for four terabytes of stolen data.  They claimed to be in possession of highly sensitive info, including I.D. numbers, banking information and other personal information.

Whether the ransom was ever paid, we can’t say for sure.  What we can say is that a breach of this magnitude could impact patrons at our online casino South Africa.  With banking and personal information exposed, it is important that you take control and ensure that you batten down the digital hatches.

How to Secure Yourself Digitally

We do our part at Springbok online casino South Africa by keeping your personal data in impenetrable digital vaults under lock and key.  We ensure that our software is ransomware and malware-free and that we have the latest security technologies in place.  When you play at Springbok Casino, any information transmitted is encrypted.

At the same token, there are steps you should take – especially if your personal identity and banking information might have been compromised.  In an age where cyberwarfare is on the rise, here is what you can do to protect yourself:

1. Passwords

This is the first point of access to your online casino South Africa account, and any other retail, banking, social media, etc., account that you have.  You’ll be surprised to know how many sites you are registered on – and how much of your information is ‘out there’!  The first big step is to stop using browser-based password managers.

Change all your passwords of the key accounts that you are aware of and that you use frequently – such as your online banking, Springbok online casino South Africa account, profiles at credit bureaus, streaming services, your email, cPanel, etc.

Use a password manager to store your credentials.  There are many fantastic options out there, some cost money, some are free – and equally secure.  Bitwarden is one free password manager that is on par with the best out there!

2. Use Unique Passwords

This one deserves a heading of its own!  Don’t use ‘crawling passwords’, e.g. wxyz1234 – i.e. passwords that have an obvious sequence.  Don’t recycle passwords!  By this we mean, don’t use the same password on multiple accounts – but instead create a unique one for each.

Make your passwords long – under current conditions, the advice is around 15 or more characters.  Your password should include numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters.  It would look something like this: WQ!56&+Nxn#PSk?6

…and don’t worry about remembering passwords – that is what the password manager is for!

3. Use 2FA

2-Factor Authentication is a fabulous way to add an additional layer of security on compatible apps and websites.  Facebook, Instagram, cPanel’s and Gmail are just some platforms that offer 2FA.  All you need to do is download a 2FA app, set it up – usually a simple QR code scan is required – and you’re good to go.

Springbok online casino South Africa doesn’t offer 2FA but we have several internal layers of security that have your digital backs.  For instance, withdrawals from your casino account involve a vetting process – not just anyone can empty out your bankroll.  As long as you keep your login credentials safe in a password manager, you needn’t worry.

4. Secure Your Devices

Whether you play at our online casino South Africa or Springbok Mobile Casino, your account will only be as secure as the device you’re playing on.  There are two ways in which you can secure your devices.

First, update your software to the latest version.  All operating systems and tech device companies do their part too by releasing updates that often include security patches.  If you see a pop up on your laptop or phone to update the software – do it.

Secondly, use anti-virus software.  As with password managers, there are paid and free versions available.  You can even rather safely rely on your devices own anti-virus software.  With cybercrime on the rise, It is certainly better than having no protection at all!

South Africa ranked 6^th on the top 10 list of countries most affected by cybercrime in a Surfshark survey – so can you see why cybersecurity is an important topic?  We want our patrons to enjoy safe and fun gaming at our online casino South Africa.  We also don’t want anyone to fall victim to cyber-attacks.

On that note, sign up, save your login details in your password manager, and play at the best online casino South Africa, where we take security seriously!