What is SSL security at online casinos?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) digital encryption technology is important when it comes to playing at real money online casinos.

Why? Because it secures any transactions made, whether they are deposits or withdrawals, and ensures any financial and personal information entered cannot be accessed by third parties and ultimately stolen.

We explain exactly what modern encryption technology is, why it is important to ensure the gaming establishment you are playing at is protected by it, and how to locate the information at an online casino.

What is digital encryption technology?

Digital encryption is a type of technology that is known as cryptography and is basically a secure link between a client and a server and the browser, so in this case the Internet casino and Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Internet Explorer. Without the security attached to the link, any data, such as financial information, personal information, as well as login details for the online casino, would be sent in plain text where anyone could access it.

With the security protocol attached all data is secured safely across the network so no one can retrieve your information and ultimately steal it. In order for this link to work however, it needs an SLL or TSL certificate, which are both forms of digital encryption certification as explained below, to be installed by the server, which is the online casino.

How to find out if Internet casinos are encrypted?

There are two ways to figure out whether or not the online casino is secured by digital encryption technology.

The first way is to click on the tiny padlock which is located in the URL toolbar. If there isn’t a padlock it doesn’t definitely mean the web casino isn’t secure, it just means it could be operating inside a frame. For example, an online casino might not display a padlock when you access the homepage, but as soon as you login and open the banking interface a padlock appears in that window to show it is secure.

This is the same with Royal Vegas online casino, one of our recommended safe casino sites. When you go to the homepage there is no padlock in the toolbar detailing the encryption, but as soon as you go to the flash casino – where the games and banking are handled – the padlock appears stating it is encrypted.

Once you click on the padlock, a drop down menu will appear where you can then click on ‘connection’. Here, the certification of the security protocols will be listed. For example, G’Day online casino states “Your connection to www.gdaycasino.com is encrypted with obsolete cryptography. The connection uses TSL 1.2.” TSL is just like SSL digital encryption, which we will explain below.

If you can’t find the padlock, another way is to go to the web casino’s ‘About Us’ or ‘Security’ page and the information should be listed there. However, the padlock technique is probably the best way as it gives the most updated information.

Why is it important online casinos are encrypted?

It is incredibly important that any site where you are inputing financial information into is encrypted with modern data encryption technology.

When playing at online casinos we are depositing real money and to do so we are entering sensitive data. This data needs to be protected and by playing at an online casino which doesn’t have this encryption technology implemented we are open to having our money stolen and our personal details utilised.

We recommend a number of web casinos all secured by modern data encryption technology which is the same as what major financial institutions use for their online transactions (which can be double checked by going to a bank’s website, such as the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and following the same padlock method as above).

What is SLL certification?

SSL Certificates work by using a public key and private key and are used in conjunction to create a secure connection, which is similar to how Bitcoin works. There is a third feature to SLL certificates however which is known as the ‘subject’ and that is who has implemented the certificate which in our case is the web casino.

Certification allows for the link to be secured and are integral to a reputable online casino. There are a number of different data encryption security protocols including different SLL encryption strengths.

What does encryption strength mean?

You may notice at online casinos the various data encryption strengths. For example some will say 128-bit SLL while others may state 256-bit SLL. There is also TSL 1.0, TSL 1.2, etc., but we will explain that one below.

128-bit, 256-bit, and so on, are keys that are made up of 128 zeros and ones, or 256 zeros and ones, and so on. In order to access your information that is being protected using this data encryption technology they will need to crack this key, which sounds a lot simpler than it is. The number of combinations involved and with technology at its current state, it would take over 100 years to just crack a 128-bit key.

While 256-bit sounds stronger, in that it would take longer to crack, that may not actually be the case. Basically, 128-bit is strong enough at the moment and will continue to be so for quite some time, but 256-bit may be the next possible option once it begins to become weak.

If you find an online casino has either certificates, they’re actually both adequately strong enough to protect your personal and financial information.

So whether the online casino operates on 128-bit or 256-bit data encryption, as long as it has either your information will be protected.

There is other data encryption technology, however, which you may find online casinos are adopting.

What about Transport Security Layer (TSL)?

You’ll find some online casinos state they have SLL digital encryption or/and Transport Security Layer (TSL) digital encryption. These are both the same security protocols which protect your financial information, but SSL was established and released before TSL.

While you may find that in the ‘About Us’ section of the online casino they state they use SSL digital encryption technology, but the padlock you click in the URL toolbar states they use TSL digital encryption, it doesn’t mean different things it just means they have updated their security protocols.

There are different levels of TSL, just as there are SSL, including TSL 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, neither is stronger than each other they just have different features which may suit the web casino specifically.

Regardless of whether SSL or TSL is used, a security protocol is in place when the link is made between the online casino and the browser where your information is sent and is therefore incredibly secure.

Avoid rogue web casinos

It is very important to avoid dodgy and rogue online casinos, which can be done by doing a Google search. Additionally, even though some online casinos may state they have SSL or TSL encryption they can falsify this in their ‘About Us’ section so it is important if you aren’t playing at our suggested online casinos (which we have intensely reviewed) then you should read a number of real player reviews regarding the online casino, which can be found in casino forums, to ensure you have a safe Internet gambling experience.