More people than ever are turning to Virtual Private Network (VPN) tools when browsing the internet because they enable them to hide their device’s true location, sidestep geo-location restrictions, and gain access to their favorite online gaming sites. The question being asked here is, although VPNs are excellent at unlocking restricted websites and making gaming far more accessible, does a VPN make gaming safer? Let’s find out.
What exactly is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network, which many people shorten to just VPN, is essentially a downloadable tool, in other words, a piece of software or computer program capable of several functions. However, they are mainly used to mask your device’s current location/IP address so you can access restricted sites in your region for whatever reason. The technology creates a securely encrypted end-to-end tunnel between any website and the device you have downloaded the VPN to, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Therefore, when switching your VPN and connecting to one of the global regions it has available, it will appear to the website’s system that you are visiting as though you/your device is in that region because of the server you are now connected to, thus sidestepping any location restrictions the operator of that website imposes.
A VPN protects your online activity by hiding your browsing history and making you untraceable to fraudsters, scammers, hackers, cybercriminals, ‘bad actors,’ and anyone else who is trying to listen in, track, or hijack your online activities.
Can I use VPNs on casino platforms?
Yes and no. For example, anyone of legal age to gamble online in the real money mode who might be looking for a safe and secure online casino to join because they don’t have access to any homegrown sites in their own country often use VPNs to access what are referred to as offshore casino sites. These perfectly secure websites are ones that are licensed abroad by one or more mid to top-tier licensing authorities/gaming commissions.
There are hundreds of VPN-friendly online casinos out there today that don’t mind players using VPNs to access their services and products. In other words, VPNs have made websites like this far more accessible than ever. With that in mind, you can also find some operators who don’t like you using them. They use geo-location software and VPN detectors because they want to know precisely where their players come from. If you visit sites like this with your VPN switched on, they may ask you to switch it off. However, if you switch it off and players from your country are restricted from visiting that website, you won’t be able to gain access to that site.
It’s not always necessary for people to want to use VPNs on certain platforms. The platform itself might have already satiated the need to protect their data and internet connection. For instance, inclave casinos enable platforms to allow users to play without registering while ensuring top-of-the-range security. Players needn’t be concerned with their data, meaning VPNs are redundant on these platforms.
You also find people who use VPNs to access restricted eCommerce sites to purchase certain items or access restricted television shows and movie streaming websites. They have opened up the world of online information and digital entertainment content. Although some websites stipulate in the Ts and Cs that they don’t like people using them and may ask you to switch yours off, they are NOT illegal in any way. People use them more than ever, mainly to access sites with geographical restrictions or content blocks.
Does using a VPN make gaming safer?
Yes. VPNs do more than allow users to access blocked websites/content. They can also improve internet speeds, reduce latency, and significantly enhance online security and privacy. Using a VPN when gaming online helps protect your online security because it can prevent DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks, where harmful and malicious bots are used to overwhelm server access, which is starting to become a big issue in online gaming, and why so many people use VPNs to counter this growing problem.
However, they can’t prevent cookie tracking, viruses, or malware, which is why it’s also best to use an antivirus with an anti/tracking software tool as well as a VPN. In fact, today’s most trusted antivirus brands like Norton, Surfshark, Bitdefender, and NordVPN, to name a few, come with built-in VPNs as well as antivirus/anti-tracking software.
Benefits of using a VPN for online gaming
There are many benefits of using VPN tools, and most people who download them and install them onto their preferred devices use them almost every time they go online, not just when playing games on their favorite restricted sites.
Some of the most significant benefits of using VPNs are the following:
- Private online browsing
- Secure, end-to-end encrypted browsing, which is ideal for use in public Wi-Fi areas or at home
- Untraceable browsing
- Complete anonymity
- Access to restricted websites and content. They can potentially help you save money by finding previously unavailable deals.
- VPNs work well on any Wi-Fi/internet-connected desktop or mobile device
- You can find numerous free and paid VPNs. When paying for them, they have more features, services, regions, and customizable settings
- VPNs bypass censored content
- Your online identity, preferred payment method details, and other sensitive PII (personally identifiable information) are protected.
- VPNs prevent intrusive third-party monitoring/spying/surveillance/tracking.
- VPNs provide a much better gaming experience.
These are just some of the most notable benefits VPN users can look forward to when using them. They are relatively easy to use and won’t take up a lot of room on your preferred device.
Final thoughts
Online gamers use VPNs to access games on otherwise restricted sites, but these useful tools do more than allow players to access blocked websites/content. They also allow you to connect with the wider online gaming community, making the experience more engaging and immersive in a secure, stable, and protected environment.
Some of today’s best VPNs that are great for gaming even have versatile features that allow players to form remote encrypted LAN connections, meaning you, your friends, and anyone else you invite to play the same open-world game can do so over the same secure private networks.
