When you’re putting together the gaming setup of your dreams, you might prioritize a few key pieces of hardware and software. A modern graphics card might allow you to render every frame in immaculate detail, while an account on a service like Steam will make it easier to keep track of your gaming library.
But there’s one piece of software, often overlooked by gamers, that can make a crucial difference to your life on the internet. This is a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. There are many benefits to using one of these during your sessions, which we’ll take a look at below.
Protect against cyberattacks
Gamers are exposed to malicious actors on the internet in the same way as everyone else. In the world of gaming, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack might be used to prevent a user or a service from operating. It does this by simply bombarding the address in question with requests from a variety of different sources in large volumes, such that it becomes impossible to deal with it.
Additionally, certain gaming sites may lack encryption, leaving you vulnerable to criminals who will try to intercept your data. A VPN service masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, effectively making this impossible or a highly difficult task. You should, however, still be on guard about opening any suspicious files or inputting personal or financial data unless you are absolutely sure the site can be trusted.
Can lower ping
You might suspect that, since a VPN routes your traffic through a third-party server, it actually raises your ping. If the server in question is slow or in a distant part of the world, this is a fair criticism. But in some cases, the VPN service will allow you to choose which server you connect through. This can help to drive down your ping and allow you to enjoy a snappy, responsive experience, even during intense competitive multiplayer sessions.
It should be noted that every VPN service will introduce a small amount of lag; thus, it’s important to experiment with different servers and to try to pick out the ones that perform best. In most cases, this means looking for servers based in your home country.
Access geo-restricted games
Undoubtedly, the most appealing use of a VPN, as far as gaming and media are concerned, is its ability to cross national boundaries. If a certain game or film isn’t available on your chosen service at home, then you might simply change server in order to ‘pretend’ to be in a different country. In many cases, this is entirely legal, though many publishers will try to prevent you from doing it for commercial reasons.
Before bypassing any geo-restrictions, be sure to check the policy of the gaming platform in question to ensure your account doesn’t get banned. Additionally, some countries have laws around this or ban it outright, so check the specific laws of your country before using a VPN for this type of activity.
Play in public
Some gamers will relish the opportunity to take their devices out in public and to make use of WiFi in cafes, stores, and other venues. With the rise of handheld devices, such as the Nintendo Switch 2, and smartphone gaming, this is becoming much more common.
But this creates a potential security vulnerability. When you connect to a WiFi network, you create an opportunity for other people who are connected to the network to observe your activity. A VPN prevents this by encrypting your data before it leaves your device. Problem solved!
While VPNs aren’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when upgrading your gaming set-up, it’s clear there are plenty of benefits to gain from using them. Whether it’s protecting yourself against malicious attacks or gaining access to geo-restricted games, a VPN is a versatile piece of software that makes a worthy addition for every gamer.
