Over the past few years, the importance of using a VPN has become more and more clear. Identity theft is shockingly common, with people losing millions in money and damaged reputations each year. Furthermore, governments have proven time and again that they will surveil their own citizens (and those in other countries) with few qualms.
VPNs also help citizens in oppressive countries get around archaic censorship. A VPN makes it possible to see what the government is trying to hide from you.
But do you need a VPN for gaming? In fact, there are specific reasons gamers should use a VPN at all times. Here is what you need to know.
Keep your location secret
As a gamer, you probably know all about “swatting”. If you are not acquainted with the term, swatting is a kind of prank played by some gamers on others, by reporting the gamer for a serious crime and having a SWAT team sent to their house. In the past, this has caused damage to property, injury, and even death.
Keeping yourself safe from swatting requires more than simply not revealing your location. Hackers are able to get your location from your IP address. Read more on How to hide your I.P. when gaming with a VPN. Doing so keeps you and your family safe by making it incredibly difficult to track you.
Early access
On a different note, a VPN can benefit you as a gamer by providing you with early access to new games. Certain games come out earlier in countries like Japan. By using your VPN to make it look like you’re in Japan, you can be the first to play these games.
It is also often cheaper to buy games in one country than it is in another. For example, Australians get many games at cheaper prices. By connecting through a VPN server in Australia, you can get these games at the cheaper price.
Avoid scammers
Chances are you have searched online for cheap extras for certain games. You may be looking for resources like upgrades and extra lives. There are many sites where you can find these resources. However, these sites may be run by scammers, or contain scam links that, if you click on them, could give hackers access to your data.
By using a VPN when using these websites, you protect yourself against scammers. You still need to be careful and not agree to download anything from dodgy links – after all, security is only as strong as its user allows it to be. But you will not have your data stolen just by using these sites.
Using a VPN also makes it easier to download these resources at cheap prices or for free without consequences from law enforcement or copyright claims. As someone who is always online and engaging with other online users, you should be sure you are not doing anything to compromise your online life.
As a gamer, a VPN is an incredibly important investment. They don’t cost too much, and should be in use at all times.
I'm a published author and proud US Army veteran who happens to be a gamer, so I decided to combine the two and love every minute of it! Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments and I'll be sure to get back to you.
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