Is a VPN Good for Gaming? 6 Benefits

VPN Desktop Gaming Graphic

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VPNs truly set the standard when it comes to protecting yourself online. The question is, however, whether they’re necessary for gaming. Regardless of the types of games you like to play, we highly recommend using a secure VPN to maintain your privacy and security for any game that requires an internet connection.  

Some benchmarks for choosing a gaming VPN are a fast and reliable connection and worldwide server access. If you are unsure where to start, we recommend checking out these top VPNs for gaming, such as SurfShark and CyberGhost. While there are free VPNs, premium VPNs are often affordable and will help improve your overall gaming experience.

Using a VPN will ensure that you have more security, privacy, and anonymity while surfing the web. But, the impact of using a VPN for gaming goes much deeper than that. Take a look at our top benefits of using a VPN for gaming below:

Remain Secure on Public WiFi

More often than not, you may find yourself playing games on your devices while connected to public WiFi. There are very few places that don’t have public WiFi these days, which is why it’s so important to make sure you cover your bases with a VPN before connecting to a public network. Because public networks don’t encrypt your data, even if they are password-protected, the data on your device is available for anyone to see. Hackers can even intercept your online activity and install malware onto your device without you even realizing it.  

Protect Yourself Against Swatting

When engaging in multiplayer games, there are instances where gamers can get angry at their opponents and begin stalking other players. Luckily, these occurrences are on the rarer side, but they do emphasize the importance of hiding your IP address. Without a gaming VPN, a distraught player could hack into your social media accounts or even track down your location. The absolute worst-case scenario is the act of swatting, which is an extreme type of harassment where someone sends emergency services to one’s home.

Say Goodbye to Bandwidth Throttling

There are many instances where your internet service provider could slow down. Depending on the game you’re playing, your device can use a significant amount of data per hour you play. Throttling occurs when your network gets congested with too much data, which can be disruptive in the middle of your game. You may be surprised at how quickly you can reach a data cap if you’re playing games for several hours per day. VPNs combat data caps by encrypting your data, so your ISP can’t figure out whether you’re playing a game or browsing the web. 

Gain Access to Banned Games

While it sounds counterintuitive, many countries ban video games. These bans are often enforced due to the nature of a game or the content within it. Some countries that ban violent or profane games include the UK, Germany, Australia, Russia, China, and Brazil. The censorship restrictions in these countries are harsh and often result in geo-restricting certain games. Using a VPN for gaming will allow you to connect to a server in a country where the game you want to play is not banned.

Play from Anywhere

Since we’re already on the subject of geoblocking, many online games use this technology to make sure you connect to a server in your region. Aside from censorship, geoblocking also occurs when games are not released worldwide yet. Games are often trendy when they’re new; therefore, they will need servers in multiple regions to handle the bandwidth of connections. If you want to connect with gamers in other areas, geoblocking will not work in your favor. Premium VPNs have servers in multiple regions, making it easy for players to communicate outside their usual location. 

VPN Enhance Mobile Gaming

Using a VPN for mobile gaming, such as play to earn games like Cosmic Rewards, offers several key advantages. It enhances security, protecting your in-game progress and potential earnings from cyber threats, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. VPNs can also reduce the risk of DDoS attacks, a common concern in competitive gaming. Furthermore, they provide access to servers in different regions, potentially unlocking new levels or games that might not be available in your area. This means you can play and earn from anywhere, without geo-restrictions, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted gaming experience.

Sign up for Surfshark and gain access to its vast network that’s optimized for gaming!

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