Why Gaming and VPNs are a Perfect Match

Do you love gaming, but hate dealing with the lag and slow connection on your console or computer? If so, you’re not alone. Looking for an easy solution? A VPN can help. It’s true: a VPN can give you faster Internet speeds and fewer lags while you game. Sound too good to be true? Prepare to be surprised. In this article, we’ll help you learn why gaming and VPNs are a perfect match.

What is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a piece of software that lets you mask your IP address. With a powerful VPN, you can route your IP address through an encrypted server in another location. VPN software helps protect your IP address from cybercriminals that want to steal your data. These criminals attempt to get your personal information from your unprotected Internet connection. With a VPN, cybercriminals read the IP address of the server you connect to instead of the IP address for your devices. This gives you extra protection from cyber attackers.

Using a VPN is a great way to combat IP leaks and improve your overall security. A VPN even allows you to access blocked content and hide your online activity. It can also help improve your online gaming experience when you play online multiplayer games. When you adjust your NAT type, you can get improved gaming performance and fewer issues with your connection. By changing your NAT, you run the risk of having reduced security on your network. Luckily, using a VPN allows you to protect yourself regardless of your NAT type or configuration settings. 

Top 5 Benefits of a VPN for Gaming 

If you primarily use the Internet to spend time gaming with friends, a VPN is exactly what you need. With a VPN, you get better privacy, more protection, and faster speeds. Never waste time in a game lobby again with the improved connection that comes from using a VPN. In fact, there are a variety of ways that a VPN can help you when it comes to your gaming experience. Take a look below at the top 5 benefits of using a VPN for online gaming.

1. Reduce DDoS Attacks. Criminals use your IP address to launch “distributed denial-of-service” (DDoS) attacks. These can be reduced by the presence of a VPN.
2. Faster Gaming Speeds. As we stated, making adjustments to your router’s NAT type can give you more control of your network speed.
3. Less Bandwidth Throttling. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can reduce your speed depending on your network activity. Using a VPN hides your activity and reduces bandwidth throttling from your ISP. 
4. Enjoy Content from Any Region. Connecting to a VPN allows you to route your IP address through other parts of the world, giving you access to content that you may not have access to in your own country. 
5. Fewer Lags and Shorter Ping Times. Long ping times can cause serious lag and ruin your online match. Routing your connection closer to the game server reduces ping time and gives you less of a chance of encountering lags.

There are many unique ways that a VPN can be useful to online gamers. In addition to more online privacy, you also get access to a variety of other flexible protection features. You may be wondering how to begin the process of using a VPN or where to start. Below, we’ll help you learn how to optimize your VPN setup for online gaming. 

Gaming VPN for Computers and Consoles

Using a VPN on your PS5, Xbox Series X, or computer may seem complex at first, but we can help. Take a look below at the different ways that you can get a powerful, reliable VPN connection on your game consoles and computers. 

VPN for PS5

1. Sign up for a VPN service.
2. Download the VPN software to your computer.
3. Sign in to the VPN and connect to a secure server.
4. Connect an Ethernet cable to your PC and place the other end in your PS5.
5. On your computer, open the Control Panel.
6. From Control Panel, go to Network and Internet, then click Network and Sharing Center.
7. Select “Change Adapter Settings” on the left-hand menu.
8. Find the Ethernet VPN connection, right-click it, and select “Properties.”
9. Click the Sharing tab and select “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.” 
10. From the “Home networking connection” menu, select “Ethernet.” 
11. Open your PS5, select your Settings, and go to the Network.
12. From Network Settings, select “Set Up Internet Connection.”
13. When the system asks, choose the “Do Not Use a Proxy Server” option.

VPN for Xbox Series X

1. Sign up for a VPN service.
2. Download the VPN software to your computer.
3. Sign in to the VPN and connect to a secure server.
4. Connect an Ethernet cable to your PC and place the other end in your Xbox Series X.
5. On your computer, right-click on the Start button and click Settings.
6. Open Network & Internet, then click VPN.
7. Select “Change Adapter Options”.
8. Find the Ethernet VPN connection, right-click it, and select “Properties.”
9. Click the Sharing tab and select “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.” 
10. From the “Home networking connection” menu, select “Ethernet.” 
11. Open your Xbox Series X and press the Xbox button.
12. Select your Settings, and go to the Network tab.
13. From Network Settings, select “Set Up Internet Connection” or “Test network connection.”
14. If the system asks, choose the “Do Not Use a Proxy Server” option.

VPN for PC Gaming

1. Sign up for a VPN service.
2. Download and install the Windows client.
3. Sign in to your VPN account.
4. Select an available global server.
5. Activate your VPN and connect.

VPN for macOS Gaming

1. Sign up for a VPN service.
2. Download the macOS disk image files.
3. Sign in to your VPN account.
4. Select an available global server.
5. Activate your VPN and connect.

Now that you can see why gaming and VPNs are a perfect match, it’s time to get one of your own. It’s important to use a VPN that allows you to route yourself through secure, encrypted servers. You will also want a VPN that has 256-bit-AES encryption to ensure that your activity and data are truly secure. Luckily, PrivadoVPN has all of these features and more. 

Improve Your Online Gaming with PrivadoVPN

While a VPN can’t necessarily make you better at video games, it can improve your connection and your gaming experience. Using a reliable VPN can make it easier for you to get faster speeds, fewer lags, and more privacy online. With PrivadoVPN, you can get access to all of our world-class privacy features, unlimited data, and so much more.

Why not see for yourself? Sign up and download PrivadoVPN on your favorite devices to see how a VPN can help improve your online gaming experience.