Here are some tips Kevin in case you missed them last week. Hope this helps you out.
MC
2003 brought the DOS or Denial of Service Attack to the Sports Book industry. The attack which consists of repeated website call requests generated by a slave computer can completely disable websites for several days at a time. While all web server and customer data remains safe, this type of attack can be devastating for an online gaming site.
A group of unknown hackers/extortionists seem to be to blame in these attacks. However, at the time of this article I was hard pressed to find even one investigation into these attacks by any Law Enforcement Agency, any where in the world. That leaves it up to internet users to take steps to avoid being affected by these types of attacks while gambling online.
So what can you do in case a sports book or casino where you play is hit by a DOS Attack? I have compiled some simple tips for all players to help them in case they ever find themselves in a situation created by a DOS Attack:
- Be Proactive
Now that you are aware of DOS Attacks and how they can keep you from accessing your gaming accounts; ask your sports book(s) or casino(s) what procedures they have in place to deal with a DOS Attack. Most reputable sites have a plan in place including back-up, “mirror” websites and additional or alternate phone numbers incase they become victims.
Note: I would strongly discourage play at any sports book or casino that does not have a contingency plan in place for this or any other type of internet terrorism. It’s your money, you have a right to question your sports book or casino about the security of your wagering dollars. It’s also our duty to hold sports books and casino’s to the same standards of safety and security in which we hold other institutions which handle our money.
- Write Things Down
Good advice any time in the most general terms. Computers can be unreliable at times; it’s a fact of life. Don’t be scared or too lazy to keep a hard copy of your account numbers, passwords and phone numbers some place where you can access them easily. If something ever does happen to your home PC or to a site with which you wager, you will be able to pick up right where you left off once your gaming sites back-up plan goes into place.
This not only saves you time if a disruption ever does happen, but it leaves a paper trail for family members to follow in case something ever happened to you. Some people carry significant balances online, that is money which will eventually be forfeited if it can’t be claimed.
- Keep Track of Account Info in Detail
If you are ever forced by a DOS Attack to continue to wager in an alternate manner, make sure you keep detailed and accurate records for the time you are wagering outside of your normal framework. If you are forced to wager by phone or on an alternate website, keep track of your starting balance and ALL your wagers and their results. That way you will have a detailed record of all the activity on your account and when you’re wagering is returned to normal, you have something to compare with the sports books record of the same period of disruption.
- Get Times, Dates and Names of the People You Talk to
Another great tip that transcends many industries, not just online gaming. If you encounter a DOS Attack at a place you wager and are forced to call in your bets make sure you record the names of all the people you speak to and their position within the company. Also make sure you keep track of the dates and times you placed your calls. Same goes for email correspondence, save it all. That way you have a record that the sports book can reference if a problem arises which you need assistance with.
Sometimes we forget people we call upon for help service hundreds of people each day and they won’t remember every single call they take and email they read. If you are able to re-create the incident with your records the time it takes to resolve your issue will be cut in half. It will also give you a hard copy of info that will help you support your case.
A lot of these things are just common sense things we sometimes neglect because of the “it will never happen to me” frame of mind.
Several Sports Books have already received DOS Attack threats for Super Bowl and many have already been affected in the previous year. It’s always better to be safe then sorry and it’s something that should be practiced year round, not just when an attack is imminent or when it will affect the “big game”.
If you would like some more information about DOS Attacks or have a question about a specific sports book or casino please feel free to email me at MCash@BettorsNetwork.com
Michael Cash
MC
2003 brought the DOS or Denial of Service Attack to the Sports Book industry. The attack which consists of repeated website call requests generated by a slave computer can completely disable websites for several days at a time. While all web server and customer data remains safe, this type of attack can be devastating for an online gaming site.
A group of unknown hackers/extortionists seem to be to blame in these attacks. However, at the time of this article I was hard pressed to find even one investigation into these attacks by any Law Enforcement Agency, any where in the world. That leaves it up to internet users to take steps to avoid being affected by these types of attacks while gambling online.
So what can you do in case a sports book or casino where you play is hit by a DOS Attack? I have compiled some simple tips for all players to help them in case they ever find themselves in a situation created by a DOS Attack:
- Be Proactive
Now that you are aware of DOS Attacks and how they can keep you from accessing your gaming accounts; ask your sports book(s) or casino(s) what procedures they have in place to deal with a DOS Attack. Most reputable sites have a plan in place including back-up, “mirror” websites and additional or alternate phone numbers incase they become victims.
Note: I would strongly discourage play at any sports book or casino that does not have a contingency plan in place for this or any other type of internet terrorism. It’s your money, you have a right to question your sports book or casino about the security of your wagering dollars. It’s also our duty to hold sports books and casino’s to the same standards of safety and security in which we hold other institutions which handle our money.
- Write Things Down
Good advice any time in the most general terms. Computers can be unreliable at times; it’s a fact of life. Don’t be scared or too lazy to keep a hard copy of your account numbers, passwords and phone numbers some place where you can access them easily. If something ever does happen to your home PC or to a site with which you wager, you will be able to pick up right where you left off once your gaming sites back-up plan goes into place.
This not only saves you time if a disruption ever does happen, but it leaves a paper trail for family members to follow in case something ever happened to you. Some people carry significant balances online, that is money which will eventually be forfeited if it can’t be claimed.
- Keep Track of Account Info in Detail
If you are ever forced by a DOS Attack to continue to wager in an alternate manner, make sure you keep detailed and accurate records for the time you are wagering outside of your normal framework. If you are forced to wager by phone or on an alternate website, keep track of your starting balance and ALL your wagers and their results. That way you will have a detailed record of all the activity on your account and when you’re wagering is returned to normal, you have something to compare with the sports books record of the same period of disruption.
- Get Times, Dates and Names of the People You Talk to
Another great tip that transcends many industries, not just online gaming. If you encounter a DOS Attack at a place you wager and are forced to call in your bets make sure you record the names of all the people you speak to and their position within the company. Also make sure you keep track of the dates and times you placed your calls. Same goes for email correspondence, save it all. That way you have a record that the sports book can reference if a problem arises which you need assistance with.
Sometimes we forget people we call upon for help service hundreds of people each day and they won’t remember every single call they take and email they read. If you are able to re-create the incident with your records the time it takes to resolve your issue will be cut in half. It will also give you a hard copy of info that will help you support your case.
A lot of these things are just common sense things we sometimes neglect because of the “it will never happen to me” frame of mind.
Several Sports Books have already received DOS Attack threats for Super Bowl and many have already been affected in the previous year. It’s always better to be safe then sorry and it’s something that should be practiced year round, not just when an attack is imminent or when it will affect the “big game”.
If you would like some more information about DOS Attacks or have a question about a specific sports book or casino please feel free to email me at MCash@BettorsNetwork.com
Michael Cash
