A VPN For Gaming: Top 6 Reasons You Need to Get One

Online video gaming has been plagued by cyber threats since its conception. Most gamers are careful, but the industry is still frequently targeted by hackers.

2020 saw a 340% rise in attacks against gamers using web applications.

Luckily, a wide range of threats is solved by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – an encrypted, private tunnel for safer gaming sessions.

But why should you use a VPN for gaming? Let’s dive in…

The key reasons you need a VPN for gaming

VPNs are being adopted by high-ranking gamers all around the globe. They introduce an extra layer of privacy and protection from hackers.

Let’s investigate the key reasons you should introduce a VPN into your gaming setup today.

Your data remains your own

The primary benefit of using a VPN for gaming is data privacy.

With apps and sign-ups requiring more and more personal data, maintaining a layer of privacy is essential.

A gaming VPN allows you to choose who you share your data with. This blocks snoops, hackers, or anyone else from viewing data like:

• What you’re playing;
• Your IP address;
• Your physical location;
• Browsig history.

Think about how much data is connected to your gaming profile. Your name, home address, or even credit card numbers can all be viewed if you’re not using a VPN. In a world where data is gold, VPNs protect your secret stash.

Can prevent a DDoS attack

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are prevalent in gaming.

A DDoS attack is when a network of bots (botnet) flood an IP address or server with requests, eventually causing the server to shut down.

These attacks can bring eSport tournaments to a grinding halt. Other times individual players are targeted.

Currently, deceitful players can hire a botnet relatively easily – and what’s worse, it’s pretty cheap too.

As most player-targeted DDoS attacks require an IP address, a VPN is your safeguard.

Fortunately, these attacks are rarely made against casual users. However, if you play for a few hours every day, the chances of a DDoS attack grow.

Possible reduction in ping and lag

While heavily debated, it’s argued that using a VPN while gaming can reduce ping speeds.

Ping is the time it takes for your data to transmit from your device to the game servers. The longer this takes, the more lag you’ll experience.

You’ve battled your way to a boss level just to lose control due to lag. As ping is largely decided by physical distance from game servers, a VPN can help to close the gap.

The closer your VPN server is to your game server, the less ping and less lag.

You may avoid WiFi throttling by your ISP

In times of high data consumption, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might throttle your connection.

Throttling is the intentional slowing of an internet connection for a particular reason.

Your ISP may throttle your connection due to:

• Peak times where the network commonly becomes congested.
• If the ISP detects download types like streaming, gaming, etc.
• You’ve reached your data cap without realizing it.

By encrypting your data, a VPN disguises your online activity from your ISP. While they’ll be able to see that you’re downloading, they won’t be able to tell what.

This means your ISP won’t throttle your connection simply because you’re gaming.

Unfortunately for those who use a lot of data every day, a VPN can’t hide the amount of bandwidth you’re using. In this case, your ISP will likely throttle your connection simply due to the download size.

Safely play games on public WiFi

Free, public WiFi connections are everywhere, making gaming more portable than ever.

These connections are also dangerous places for unprotected devices. There are multiple reasons a VPN is useful for gaming on a public connection.

Unencrypted networks are unsafe

Many of these networks are password-free, but, unfortunately, also encryption-free. An unencrypted network means your data can move freely between your computer and the router. Over these connections, a hacker can easily steal your private data.

WiFi sniffing and snooping is common

Malicious software is readily available for WiFi “sniffing”, allowing snoops to “listen” in on WiFi connections. WiFi snoops can see everything you do online, meaning your banking details, passwords, and other data can be watched and stolen.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks are one of the most common WiFi scams. As the name suggests, a hacker sits in between your data and where it’s going. Any kind of data can be collected this way, and most unsecured communications can be sabotaged.

The fact is, you can still fall for one of these issues even when you use a VPN. The main difference is that even if they intercept your data, the hacker won’t be able to decipher it.

Protects yourself from swatting

Swatting is when a player or viewer makes a spoof call to the police, convincing them to send a response team to a player’s house. This commonly happens to streamers, who often get swatted mid-stream.

While the swatters consider it a prank, in the past it has cost real lives. In 2017, swatting caused the shooting of 28-year-old gamer Andrew Finch. Incited by disgruntled Call of Duty opponents, the person who made the call is now serving 20 years in prison.

The good news is a VPN can help. Some swatters use a gamer’s IP address to deduce their home address. A VPN connection means they can’t view your IP address. The bad news is it won’t help all the time, as more methods of swatting keep popping up.

What should you look for in a gaming VPN

Not all VPNs are created equally – be careful with what company you place your trust in. Here are a few essentials you should look for in a good gaming VPN:

• Fast and stable connection: choose a reliable VPN company that constantly improves and upgrades its servers.
• Security: use a VPN with top-notch AES-256 encryption – it’s the same encryption banks and large corporations use.
• Data leak protection: for the “just in case”, when your VPN can’t protect you.
• Trustworthy company: there are thousands of VPN options out there – pick a company with a good track record.

There are so many options out there so do your research. You can easily find a VPN download that won’t compromise on any of these crucial features.

Conclusion

The last thing you need after a long gaming session is to find out your account was hacked. Malicious software has become more accessible than ever, giving rise to the importance of cybersecurity in online gaming.

From cyber protection to gameplay improvements, a VPN has become a standard for many hardcore gamers.

No matter your dedication to gaming, a VPN is a secret weapon in any gamer’s arsenal.