Gaming has come a long way since the days of simple arcade classics like Pong and Pac-Man. As technology has developed, video game titles have been vastly more expansive and immersive, with more realistic graphics and diverse and interesting worlds to explore.
Thanks to the power of high-speed internet, it has also developed into a social activity, with the rise of online multiplayer transforming this pastime into a global phenomenon.
Now, with PvP and live-service titles dominating the industry, online gaming is the place to be, whether you’re streaming to an audience or just having fun with friends, but there are pitfalls to be aware of when gaming online.
Cybersecurity concerns and performance issues can have a negative impact on your online gaming, but simply utilizing a VPN for free can enable you to have a safer, more enjoyable experience. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most pressing problems and explain how VPN technology can be of help.
Hacking
With online gaming having become such a massive part of the video game industry, more and more gamers have started turning to game clients like Steam, Origin, and Epic Games Store as their preferred means of purchasing game titles and DLC content.
This increase in digital transactions has caught the attention of cybercriminals, who are seeking to hack into user accounts to gain access to credit card details.
Naturally, you will want to protect yourself against this kind of activity, and a VPN can be an important part of your defense.
Since a VPN will divert your internet connection through a server in another location, it will let you conceal your IP address and remain untraceable. This can help you to protect your device when entering login credentials and completing online transactions.
DDoSing
Distributed Denial-of-Service, or DDoS, attacks are another danger to consider when gaming online. This is when a malicious entity targets a specific network or device, inundating it with data requests to overwhelm it, rendering it incapable of performing effectively.
This can result in crashes, disconnects, and potentially even unauthorized access to sensitive personal data, depending on the motivations of the perpetrator. Though fairly rare, it is a very real danger associated with online gaming, but again, a VPN can help to protect you from this.
As we’ve mentioned, a VPN will conceal your IP, preventing those who wish to commit a DDoS attack from identifying your network. Additionally, as it sends your traffic through a secure tunnel, a VPN will apply strong encryption to all of your data, preventing malicious entities from accessing information that could help them launch an attack.
Lags and Latency
Depending on what titles you’re playing, you may not have access to servers close to your geographical location. This can create problems, as connecting directly to servers in distant locations can cause high ping and lags, resulting in a sluggish, unresponsive, and overall far less enjoyable experience. This can be frustrating, of course, but VPN technology offers a viable workaround for this.
Since a VPN lets you access a selection of different servers through which to divert your connection, you can opt to use one in a location closer to the game server you want to play on. Shortening the distance in this way will reduce ping and improve responsiveness, allowing you to experience your favorite online games in the way that was intended.
Connection Throttling
While your geography can at times be to blame for poor connection performance, there are also more insidious factors at play, chiefly bandwidth throttling. Though they are not very transparent about it, it is common for ISPs to deliberately restrict user connections to deal with network congestion.
This practice is usually applied when they detect certain high-bandwidth activities in progress, with gaming being a prime example. This can drastically reduce the quality of your experience, which is why it’s helpful to use a VPN when you game.
As we’ve mentioned, a VPN applies robust encryption protocols to your traffic. This means that your online activities are kept private from your ISP. As such, they will be unable to determine when you are gaming, and therefore cannot trigger bandwidth throttling in response. That translates to better connection performance for more responsive, engaging, and fun online gaming sessions.
Wrapping Up
Online gaming is en route to becoming the world’s favorite recreational pastime, and with such rapid advancements in gaming hardware and software, it’s easy to understand why. However, the world of online gaming is not without its issues, so it’s wise to have the right technology at your disposal to preserve the quality of your experience.
A Virtual Private Network is that technology. By using a VPN for online gaming, you can protect yourself from cyber threats and ensure optimal connection performance to get maximum enjoyment from every session.
In conclusion, the world of online gaming is a thrilling and dynamic space, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges. From the ever-present threat of hacking to the frustrating lags and latency issues, and the covert bandwidth throttling by ISPs, gamers face various obstacles that can hinder their gaming experience.
However, with the assistance of a VPN, many of these challenges can be mitigated. VPNs offer a layer of security and performance optimization, allowing gamers to enjoy their favorite titles with peace of mind and reduced frustration.
As the online gaming landscape continues to evolve, the savvy use of technology, such as VPNs, will remain an essential tool for gamers looking to level up their online experience.
