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Social Engineering and Gambling, or The Art of Casino Visitor Management

At the moment the topic of social engineering is not discussed only by the lazy. As a rule, it is a question of using human psychology to the detriment of Homo sapiens. However, the range of use of technology is quite wide and sometimes harmless.

Social engineering: what is it?

In a narrow sense, social engineering is one of the methods of accessing information that is based on manipulating the knowledge of human psychology. It is believed that the main purpose of social engineering in such connotations is to gain access to confidential information belonging to a person. Typically, this context refers to the theft of personal data, passwords, bank card information or other secure systems.

Social engineering
Social engineering

However, in this article the use of the term “social engineering” implies a set of techniques, technologies and methods to create an artificial space, circumstances or conditions that contribute to a particular purpose. Of course, the latter is based on deep use of sociological and psychological knowledge.

How social engineering methods are used in the work of ground gambling establishments – read below in the article.

Happy hours are not observed

One of the most banal things that even those who are not regular gambling establishments know is the absence of clocks in the gambling halls. It is no secret that these very rooms flock to some of the most enthusiastic people on the planet – the players. In addition, everyone knows how easy it is to lose track of time if you are passionate about something. Some even note that sometimes poker players, who spend long hours at the game, remind people in a state of trance.

Happy hours
Happy hours

Interesting

Despite the fact that the absence of watches is considered a recognized card casino, there are countries that have a legal requirement to inform players about the time. In particular, such rules apply to the UK gambling houses. Players in this country are also strongly advised to take breaks between games.

The lack of timekeeping devices helps players to permanently withdraw from the outside world and indulge in entertainment. From the interesting, ask the dealer what time it is also not possible, because the latter are prohibited to wear a watch.

If every minute is important to you and you want to control your time, then the bronze casino uk may interest you.

No windows, no doors…

Another beaten fact about the casino is that gambling houses usually contain windows only at entrance and exit, but inside the gaming rooms does not get sunlight. The principle of this method is very consistent with the rule of absence of hours in gambling houses.

It is known that biologically people unwittingly react to the change of lighting, which, for example, may push a person to a change of activity. However, this can distract visitors from the world of excitement, which he plunges into by entering a gambling house.

In addition, frequent visitors to Las Vegas know how tempting and majestic look gambling establishments outside, such a motley landscape outside the window would certainly distract players.

The invisible influence of the notes…

The invisible influence of the notes
The invisible influence of the notes

Gambling establishments strive not only to influence the visual images of visitors, but also on the audio. That is why the casino always meets guests with a cacophony of many sounds. Most of them recreate slots – the crackling of falling trifles, sirens or even the sound of a ball spinning in the damn roulette wheel. All this should create an atmosphere of pleasant excitement. Sometimes the crackling of coins is associated with the fact that everyone at the casino is constantly winning.

People rarely think about the mechanics of this kind of influence. But numerous studies confirm that different musical styles have unique properties. Melbourne scientists, for example, advise to be more careful with hard rock, as the genre can cause aggressive states, but according to numerous studies, classical works by famous world composers have a comprehensive positive impact on people. At gmblfans.co.uk online casinos you will not encounter such tricks.

Music and marketing: the influence of music on product promotion

The impact of music on consumer behaviour is one of the most popular topics in business. Thus, visitors to restaurants can assess the level of the institution, barely crossing its threshold, and store owners have the opportunity to detain or direct the buyer in the right direction, just switching songs. The combination of music and advertising in principle has a very powerful effect on the person. Thus, a memorable melody can inconspicuously encourage the buyer to buy a product, repeating many times in his head.

Researchers emphasize that when choosing background music for service or retail, it is important to consider all factors: volume, tempo, rhythm and style. However, the classic marketing issue for the target audience should not be discounted either.

There is even a separate area in science that studies the impact of music on consumer preferences – music marketing. It is believed that competently selected music can help to increase sales. According to the rules of music marketing, the sound element can create a certain perception of the brand.

Twilight, or How to create a casino atmosphere

Twilight, or How to create a casino atmosphere
Twilight, or How to create a casino atmosphere

As a rule, gambling houses are famous for their soft, strongly dimmed light. It is in this environment that visitors can relax and feel at home most easily. In addition, bright light is an irritant to the eyes, but the muted light creates a unique atmosphere of coziness.

Amazingly, even the curls on the carpet of gambling houses are not accidental, they are also designed to calm the eye.

Since the casino is very sensitive to all unpleasant, strict rule of any good gambling establishment is perfect cleanliness and order.

Labyrinth

Most gambling houses are designed as a labyrinth from the inside. Not only a casual guest can get lost inside, but also a regular visitor. And all because some equipment is used as a natural barrier. In particular, this can be done with elements of the arrangement of slot machines. Note that to find some logic in the placement of these elements is very difficult.

A special place in the literal and figurative sense take high slot machines, because sometimes they create a local casino landscape.

Free Treats

Since the goal of any organizer of gambling – to give visitors the opportunity to feel in the limelight, players are often offered a lot of free treats. This can be a trivial cup of coffee or a glass of champagne, or maybe a free lunch. Moreover, regular customers can even count on paying for a hotel room with a beautiful view.

Conclusion

Of course, like any other representative of the service sector, a land-based casino gambling operator wants his client to be satisfied and stay “on the road” as long as possible. And from the user’s point of view, there is hardly anything unpleasant about the cleanliness and tidiness of gambling rooms or the availability of treats. And with regard to the lack of watches and windows do not forget how nice it is sometimes to fall out of the usual vertical and find yourself in a place where time stops. However, you can play online casino land at home, but you will not be able to plunge into the world of gambling sensations.

Posted in: Author's blog

Phishing fraud: definition, types, protection and impact on the gambling industry

Phishing is, in fact, the simplest kind of cyberattack. However, this very type of fraud can be called one of the most popular and “effective”. About what is phishing fraud, what types of cyberattacks exist, as well as the tools of protection in the gambling and not only

The crisis time in which humanity finds itself due to the COVID-19 pandemic is fertile ground for fraud of various forms. Cyber security has become more important than ever due to the transfer of the total majority of companies to remote work. Everything you need to know about phishing scams, their variants and protection from cybercriminals for companies, in particular for gambling, is described in the material below.

Phishing: definition and working mechanism?

Phishing fraud: definition, types, protection and impact on the gambling industry
Phishing fraud

The term phishing (or phishing scam) comes from English fishing – fishing – and refers to a type of illegal activity aimed at obtaining confidential information. For example, it may be an attempt to obtain a user’s password or credit card number. Attackers, like real fishermen, use various methods to obtain personal information. However, the most common practice is to use email or text messages, with the sender impersonating a specific person or representative of the organization. The purpose of the scammers is to present the user with someone whom the latter can trust.

The text that the victim receives is designed to intimidate the recipient and disable logical thinking. As a rule, it contains links to third-party resources that the user needs to navigate through in order to avoid the frightening consequences detailed in the message.

The user, clicking on the link, gets to a site that imitates a legitimate resource, for example, the online platform of the bank. Then he is asked to authorize in the system, most often – to enter the login and password from his own account. Thus, the intruders either try to gain access to the user’s funds on their own with the help of the obtained information or transfer the data to the black market.

The danger of phishing attacks is that they do not require deep technical knowledge, which is required for other cyberattacks. In this context, it is often noted that the main distinguishing feature of phishing is that its impact is aimed at human impact rather than at finding the technical vulnerability of the operating system of the devices. However, cybercriminals often take advantage of social engineering.

Phishing: A Historical Essay

Phishing: A Historical Essay
Phishing: A Historical Essay

At first glance, the origin of the term described above seems obvious – indeed the process of illegal information extraction is very similar to fishing. It is believed that the spelling of the phenomenon in English “phishing” is due to the fusion of the words “fishing” and “phony” (deceit). There is, however, another interesting version of the origin of the name.

In the 70s of the last century, a specific subculture was formed, its adherents used low-tech methods when hacking into telephone networks. Attackers began to name – “phreaks” (freaks), using a combination of words “phone” (phone) and “freak” (cheater).

At that time, the number of PCs connected to the network was small, so the main purpose of the attackers was to make long distance and international calls. It was also believed that this approach could be used for calls to numbers that were not in the phone books.

Phishing: the impact on the gambling industry

Phishing fraud: definition, types, protection and impact on the gambling industry
Phishing

Raffaela Zillner, General Secretary of the Austrian Betting and Gambling Association, said at the Prague iGaming Affiliate Conference last year that phishing is not the main problem in the gambling industry. However, there are still consequences from cyberattacks. That’s why the specialist strongly recommended educating employees of gaming companies and organizing specialized training sessions for employees at the earliest opportunity.

The expert also added that every company engaged in the gambling industry should have an IT department, whose specialists should advise other employees on a wide range of issues, including phishing.

From a user perspective, it is also critical that if there are any problems, the company’s clients are not left in the dark.

Phishing algorithms and mobile phones

Despite the fact that the mobile phone in our pocket is a treasure trove of opportunities, combined with access to the Web is also a dangerous loophole that fraudsters use. As mentioned earlier, due to the specifics of the impact on a person, not on the system, iOS or Android in this case are powerless to protect the user. However, he can do it on his own.

Phishing attack on your smartphone: how to be a customer of the BC

Phishing fraud: definition, types, protection and impact on the gambling industry
Phishing attack

Despite the fact that, as mentioned above, most often the abusers are presented by representatives of banking structures in order to obtain information related to finance, the range of their work can be significantly expanded, and there are no limits to the industries in which deception is implemented. In this context, the clients of betting companies may also be affected.

For example, a fraudster may introduce himself not only as a manager of the BC, but also as a tax agent. In this case, the impact on the person is made by emphasizing the fears of the player – recognizing the transaction illegal or blocking the personal account. In this case, the attacker’s purpose is to induce the user to enter the login and password from the account or to duplicate the bank data needed to enter and withdraw funds.

No matter how banal it sounds, the best protection in this situation is skepticism and vigilance. What to pay attention to?

  • Impersonal treatment. For example, the user is not addressed by name, but using the welcome “Mr. / Mistress” or “esteemed client.
  • If we are talking about a subspecies of phishing via SMS-messages, be sure to pay attention to the presence of grammatical and spelling errors.
  • The offer that came in is too good to be true.
  • If a user has been working with the BC for a long time, he already knows which channel the manager usually uses to contact him, and if he changes suddenly, he should be wary.
  • One should remember the strict rule that all legal market participants follow – never ask for confidential information in text form.
  • The source number from which the call is made is suspicious.
  • One more true sign of fraud is that malefactors drive the user, provoking the latter to act in a rush.
  • If any suspicions arise, you should contact the companies directly and clarify all the questions.

Phishing sites

A phishing site is an online platform that has been partially or completely copied from the original, but is not a phishing site. The purpose of such online platforms is to steal the password and login that is used when you login to the original site.

You can recognize such a site, if you look carefully at the address bar, it will necessarily be an error. As a rule, it is a doubling of some letters from the original site address or a spelling error.

This information is equally relevant in the case of copying the online platforms of various companies, including those that provide online gambling services to foreign users.

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