VPNs are an excellent tool for security when using the internet, especially when using public networks when out and about. But should you be using a VPN while gaming? Thanks to the increased security, play-anywhere capability, and encrypted data boost, the answer is a definite yes. There are also plenty of ways a VPN can be used to protect your movements online outside of gaming. It’s the kind of platform that’s easy to use no matter the situation.
Read on to discover why you should be using a VPN for gaming — as well as for just about everything else. You won’t regret using VPN services, especially when it’s so affordable and easy to use.
What Is A VPN?
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a program that creates an encrypted connection for you on whatever network you happen to be connected to. It can do several things for your computer and the programs you are running on it, such as ensuring that all incoming and outgoing data packets are encrypted and secure, as well as allowing you to potentially boost your connection speeds on networks with high traffic.
There are two kinds of VPN to consider: a personal VPN, which focuses on creating a private network on your current network for just your computer, and a company VPN, letting you have direct access to specific files and programs through an encrypted end-to-end private VPN network. Simply put, a corporate VPN lets you securely connect to an area of cloud storage, such as a company’s stored files and programs, letting you safely access them from anywhere. It works brilliantly in gaming, as entire games can be hosted online and be accessible only from end-to-end encrypted VPNs, keeping you safe from any data leaks.
Why Use It For Gaming?
There are several security benefits to using a VPN for gaming when playing online. The first is that a private network will hide your IP and where you are connected to. Though this isn’t always necessary, it ensures you are safe should someone try to access your IP address and do anything malicious with it, such as attempting a DDoS attack denying you service from your provider. Some people aren’t always the nicest in the online environment, so protecting yourself ahead of time is always a good idea.
It can also be incredibly useful for those who play games on public WiFi or when out and about who want to keep a keen eye on their safety. VPNs encrypt all outgoing and incoming data, meaning that whenever you send off login details, they will be fully encrypted and inaccessible by anyone who may be snooping around the network. It keeps you safe from man-in-the-middle attacks, where someone may intercept your data, such as passwords, in order to use it harmfully.
Is VPN Mandatory For Gamers?
For the most part, VPNs are often treated as more of a luxury than anything else, even when it comes to people who are a little paranoid when dealing with the internet. The World Wide Web is full of unscrupulous individuals looking to take advantage of others by breaching online security and stealing personal data. Fraudulent activity is no joke, which is why VPN services exist, to begin with.
However, the idea that VPN is mandatory for gamers doesn’t hold too much weight, depending on who you ask. A large demographic of gamers are young people, which is why they’re often the target of fraudulent activity, as they can be manipulated. However, most gaming platforms have extremely competent cybersecurity measures precisely due to how easy young games can be to scam. It isn’t necessarily mandatory, but it is wholeheartedly recommended due to how easy a VPN can be to integrate into your everyday routine.
Too many people underestimate how easy it is for hackers and scammers to breach your private data. Considering the overall ease of use when you consider the most popular VPNs around, you don’t lose out on anything by taking advantage of what it has to offer.
As a gamer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that you protect your online activities. While your ISP might try its best, it won’t always get the job done. As stated above, those who play games on private WiFi are exposed to fraudulent individuals without the help of a proper VPN.
An Easy Means Of Protecting Your Digital Footprint
Whether you’re an individual looking to get rid of trackers or a company owner trying to protect your assets, you don’t lose out on anything by using a VPN. The use of a VPN is affordable, intuitive, and easy to understand. It gives even the most inexperienced gamer the chance to use VPN to its full potential.
There was a time when VPNs were considered to be a fad. Considering how affordable it is in today’s digital world, it would be remiss for gamers and company owners alike to ignore what VPNs have to offer. While many ISPs claim to protect their users, only VPN companies have the capabilities to back it up.
VPNs are a fantastic tool and the best way to keep yourself safe when connected to public or insecure networks, as they can help you lock down all of your essential data and encrypt it to make it invisible to eavesdropping. If even a big gaming company like CD Project was the victim of a Ransomware attack, make sure always to have extra security measures in place, use 2FA instead of passwords, install antivirus software and be careful with the emails you open.
When you mix a few best-practice methods with some of the best VPN services around, you’ll be fully protected, ensuring that anything you do online can’t be traced back. It might seem too much trouble to protect your digital footprint, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
