Are you quarantining for the good of the realm? If gaming is one of the only things getting you through, you may want to consider using a VPN.
Not only does a VPN protect your identity and secure your traffic, but it can also reduce ping times and excessive lag, giving you a super-responsive connection in a world where timing is everything.
How a VPN works
Short for virtual private network, a VPN allows a device to securely and privately connect to another device online through encrypted VPN servers (rather than through your ISP’s regular servers).
Okay, but what does this mean for gamers? A lot, as it turns out.
1. Reduce lag
Software and firewalls aren’t the only cause of latency. A lesser-known reason for lag is geographical location. For instance, if you’re in India but playing on a UK server, the geographical distance automatically creates a lag (distance creates a delay in transmitting information between the player and server.)
A VPN lets you connect to servers anywhere in the world. By connecting to a server closer to the game server you reduce the hoops your data might need to jump through when it’s handled by your ISP.
2. Stop constant buffering from bandwidth throttling
Fortnite, League of Legends, Minecraft. If you’re a fan, you’ll know all too well that these giants require seamless connectivity. If you’re getting constant grief from buffering, you could be a victim of bandwidth throttling. This is a technique used by ISPs to limit internet speeds at certain times of day, or for specific websites and activities.
Sadly, throttling most often affects high-bandwidth activities like gaming, video streaming, and P2P-sharing.
When you use a VPN, your IP address (a digital ID assigned to your device, also used to identify you as a user) is masked and your traffic is hidden. Everything you do online is indecipherable and cannot be traced by your ISP, making you, as a user, an absolute nightmare to throttle.
3. Get multiplayer games to work
Some ISPs block peer-to-peer connections (P2P), which is a disaster for multiplayer games like Rocket League, Minecraft, and GTA Online. Since a VPN hides your activity, your ISP can’t place any P2P restrictions on you.
4. Access games not yet released in your country
A well-known benefit of a VPN is its ability to bypass geo-restrictions. Once you connect to a VPN, your real IP address is hidden. You can then connect to a server in the country of your choice, making it seem like you’re based in that country – giving you access to hundreds of foreign games.
5. Protect your data
From hijacking in-game purchases to stealing personal details – the sprawling gaming industry has become a breeding ground for hackers. It’s the perfect testing ground for aspiring criminals to try out their malware on naive users. Just recall the notorious Mirai botnet that originated on Minecraft and ended up bringing down the internet in 2016.
When you game while using a VPN, all communication between your computer and the server is encrypted and cannot be deciphered by criminals, which protects your payment details in-game.
6. Prevent a DDoS attack
Hackers will use DDoS attacks to stop people from winning matches or steal in-game currency. DDoS attacks flood the target’s device with so many requests that it overloads the infrastructure, causing it to slow or crash completely. The attacker needs the victim’s IP address to target them – and since a VPN hides your IP address, it makes a DDoS attack highly unlikely.
7. Thwart raging losers who want to get physical
While it’s all fun and games to begin with, arguments do break out, bets are lost, and egos are bruised. Some never recover and may even resort to stalking their opponents in real-life. However, a VPN should make you feel a little safer knowing that your IP address is always concealed and your location is hidden. Parents, this is something to think about before your child receives their very first Playstation.
8. Avoid GDPR pop-ups
If you’re trying to game online in the EU, you’ll be used to pop-ups badgering you for consent over cookies and advertising. Due to the GDPR, some gaming sites have even chosen to restrict access from EU countries. Connecting via a VPN to a non-EU server changes your location and helps remove annoying pop-ups, letting you get back in the game.
Whether you’re new to gaming or a seasoned pro, the online gaming world is rife with cybercriminals who don’t discriminate. Using a VPN encrypts and secures all of your online activity, protecting your identity, location, and personal data against hackers. You can install a VPN app on your desktop or mobile phone and activate protection in a single click. For the ultimate gaming experience, start using one now.
