Best VPNs for gaming: Improve your gaming experience

There are all kinds of reasons why gamers may want to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Perhaps your Internet Service Provider is throttling your speeds, maybe you want to reduce the risk of swatting or DDoS attacks, or you might just be looking to access titles or content that aren’t available in your current location. But what exactly is a VPN, and how does it work?

In simple terms, VPNs work by making your internet traffic unreadable. This not only boosts your privacy but also allows you to sidestep ISP-imposed blocking and throttling. These services also hide your real IP address, which means you can manually change your in-game server region, circumvent a wrongful ban, and play without worrying about having your actual location revealed.

We’ll cover our top recommendations in more detail soon. For now, here’s a quick look at the best VPNs for playing online games:

Best VPNs for online gaming:

1. NordVPN: The best gaming VPN. Extremely fast, servers in 100+ countries, strong security, and privacy standards. First-class unblocking ability and 24/7 support, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for gaming.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for gaming. Has a large network, plenty of privacy features, and the ability to secure all of your devices. Speeds are impressive too.
3. IPVanish: A no-logs service with servers in over 100 countries. There’s no connection limit, and users can get around most online restrictions without any fuss. Live chat-based customer support.
4. ExpressVPN: Operates reliable servers in 100+ countries. Fast connections and works with a wide range of devices. Quality customer support around the clock. The only provider with its own router app.
5. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly VPN. Solid provider with plenty of useful features for gaming online. Extensive server network in 100+ countries. Allows up to seven simultaneous connections.
6. PrivateVPN: Versatile and easy to use, with stable speeds. This VPN works almost anywhere and can unblock a ton of geo-blocked apps.
7. PureVPN: A speedy, reliable VPN for gaming. Great at flying under the radar and unblocking geo-restricted content. Protect up to 10 devices at a time.
8. ProtonVPN: This security-first provider refuses to keep logs and boasts an expansive network. It’s quick too, making it perfect for playing games online.

How we selected the best gaming VPNs

Interested to know how we came up with our list of the best VPNs for online gaming? Our rigorous testing and analysis process helps us recommend only the VPNs that provide the best service for online gaming and meet our speed, privacy, and security standards. In order to be selected, the VPNs had to fulfil the following criteria:

• Fast and unthrottled VPN connections for low-ping online gaming
• Support for router installation and other platforms commonly used for gaming
• Servers in at least 60 countries
• Unbreakable encryption designed to keep your activities private
• A strict no-logs policy (ideally verified by external auditors)
• Live chat and email support around the clock
• Money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial

If you’d like to know more about our testing and decision-making process, take a look at our methodology section below the full VPN reviews.

The best VPNs for gaming: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for gaming.

Best VPNs for online gaming

At Comparitech, we understand the key elements of a gaming VPN are speed, server locations, and security. So we looked for providers that didn’t compromise on those fronts. The below reviews are based on our first-hand experiences using and testing those VPNs.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for gaming:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025

NordVPN is our first choice for a gaming VPN. It boasts more than 7,000 servers in 100+ countries and is one of the best when it comes to unblocking content. In fact, as well as WoW, Overwatch, and Call of Duty, it works with apps like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. There are no bandwidth limits and users can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. Customer support is available 24 hours per day over live chat.

If you’re looking to game, speed is one of the first things you should consider. After all, securing your connection doesn’t mean much if the VPN is too slow to actually play anything! We tested NordVPN’s US servers at three times of day to get a feel for how fast and reliable its speeds were. Take a look:

With an average speed of 200.29 Mbps, this was the fastest provider we tested. It was more reliable than most too, speeds only fluctuating by around 7 Mbps over the course of the day. In other words, NordVPN is suitable for any data-intensive task, whether it’s playing games with friends in other countries, using P2P networks, or streaming.

Next to each server listed in the app is the server load and the number of miles between yourself and the server, which should give you some indication of ping time. NordVPN supports split tunneling on Chrome and Firefox browser extensions and on mobile apps. Its security toolkit includes 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and automatic tracker blocking, plus a proven no-logs policy.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. If you want to connect to a game console, NordVPN’s website includes dozens of tutorials on setting up the VPN on several types of Wi-Fi router. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

BEST VPN FOR GAMERS:NordVPN is our #1 choice. With a vast range of servers dotted around the globe, including dedicated gaming servers, NordVPN sets the standard for gamers. Also hard to beat on privacy and security features. Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections from one account. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try them risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review or check out our video review below.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for gaming. It operates thousands of servers spread across over 100 countries and doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect. In addition to letting you game, it can help unblock stubborn platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. There’s 24/7 support via live chat, and users can quickly connect to the fastest available server.

When it comes to performance, Surfshark has previously ranked very highly. That’s a little surprising given its low price, but we’re not going to complain. Our experts ran three tests on its American servers (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) to see just what it was capable of. Here are the results:

Surfshark delivered an average speed of 187.54 Mbps, with just 5.4 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. That’s an impressive level of performance, making it the second-fastest VPN in this list. Assuming your connection is reasonably quick to start with (ours was 250 Mbps), you shouldn’t have any issues playing games online, even if you’re doing other things in the background.

So, how does it fare on security? Well, Surfshark keeps you safe using 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. There’s also a NoBorders mode for use in high-censorship countries, and a no-logs policy that’s been repeatedly verified by independent audits.

Surfshark comes with apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV. Looking to use a VPN on your game console? Surfshark’s website even offers step-by-step guides to installing its software on your home router. Chrome and Firefox extensions are also available.

BEST BUDGET GAMING VPN:Surfshark lets you connect as many devices as you like, which means you can game, browse, or stream safe in the knowledge that no one is watching. This security-conscious VPN keeps no logs and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a strong option for gaming because it operates more than 2,400 self-owned servers in 100+ countries. Not only that, but it’s extremely reliable when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content. Users can contact customer support 24 hours per day and connect every device they own simultaneously. However, it’s not a reliable option for users in countries like China.

Speed is a crucial factor when gaming. If your connection isn’t up to scratch, you’ll find yourself teleporting all over the map or possibly even being kicked from the game without warning. We ran multiple speed tests on IPVanish’s US servers, charting its performance at various times of day:

This service provided an average speed of 181.98 Mbps. For context, that’s enough to download a 1GB update in under a minute, and much faster than you’ll need for any day-to-day task, gaming included. IPVanish’s results were fairly close together, too, so you shouldn’t experience any issues even when gaming at peak times.

Users are protected against DNS and IPv6 leaks, ads, and trackers, plus IPVanish’s unbreakable encryption means that their activities remain private at all times. There’s also a kill switch that’ll keep you from inadvertently gaming unsecured after unexpected disconnection from the VPN. This service doesn’t keep any logs and has been audited to prove it.

IPVanish apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. IPVanish can also be configured on Wi-Fi routers, which will cover your game console. The new Advanced plan combines the VPN, cloud storage, and a new ephemeral browser within a browser for even greater anonymity.

GREAT GAMING VPN:IPVanish uses the Wireguard protocol and owns all its servers, making it a solid VPN for gaming. An uncongested network that achieves great speeds. Strong security and privacy features. 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has an expansive network, with servers spread across more than 100 countries. This alone would make it a great choice for accessing geo-restricted content, but when you consider that it works flawlessly in places like the UAE and China, its true value becomes clear. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s the only major provider with its own router app, making it as easy as possible to protect devices like games consoles and Smart TVs.

ExpressVPN has made a big deal out of its Lightway protocol, which claims to reduce speed loss when using distant servers and improve performance thanks to its slimmed-down codebase. To see how much of a difference this makes, we tested its US servers three times. You’ll find the results in the following chart:

There was around 8 Mbps of variance throughout the day, but ExpressVPN still managed to provide an average speed of 136.55 Mbps. This puts it on the faster end of the spectrum, capable of handling data-intensive tasks like live streaming, gaming, and torrenting without breaking a sweat.

ExpressVPN has a hands-off approach to security, protecting you from DNS and IPv6 leaks, government censorship, and ISP snooping by default. It also offers automatic ad and tracker-blocking as well as a kill switch. This VPN has had its infrastructure, apps, and privacy policy audited several times, so when the company says it doesn’t keep logs, you can believe it.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and certain wifi routers. It also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

TICKS ALL THE BOXES:ExpressVPN is a strong choice for gamers. A fast and reliable VPN for playing. Great privacy features and keeps no logs. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is an easy-to-use VPN that comes packed with all sorts of features that can help you tailor the service to your gaming needs. For instance, it has servers specifically optimized for gaming, as well as thousands of general-purpose servers spread throughout 100+ countries. We’re big fans of this provider’s smart rules feature, too, since it lets the VPN connect automatically in certain situations.

CyberGhost has long been known for its impressive performance, so we went into this latest round of testing with high expectations. We tested its American servers periodically throughout the day, keeping a close eye on not just its speed, but also its consistency. Check out the following chart to see how it did:

There was around 11 Mbps of difference between CyberGhost’s highest and lowest results, which is well within normal parameters. Its average speed was 132.63 Mbps, which is excellent, especially considering most fast-paced online games only require speeds of about 3 Mbps. No matter whether you’re hoping to watch TV, stream, or torrent, CyberGhost is up to the task.

All of the servers available on CyberGhost’s network are DDoS-protected, and a NAT firewall comes built-in. You can toggle on useful settings like random port connection and data compression for a little extra privacy. 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection ensure your data is secure. There’s also a strict no-logs policy.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. Split tunneling is available on Windows and Android. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions can also be downloaded.

GREAT FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost is easy to use. and excellent value for money. Vast server network in 100+ countries is perfect for gaming. Stores no logs and works to stream HD video platforms, including Netflix and Hulu, reliably. Generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland and owns, operates, and manages all 200 of its servers in-house for maximum control over its users’ traffic. We’ve had great results using this VPN for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and video calling, and its 10 connection limit means that you’ll be able to play safely across all of your devices. Live chat is available during European business hours.

PrivateVPN has historically had difficulty meeting the same raw speeds that its rivals are capable of. However, it prides itself on its consistency. We wanted to see how quick its American servers were, so we tested them at three times of day, using a 250 Mbps connection:

This VPN managed an average speed of 93.85 Mbps, which, as expected, is lower than some other services in this list, but is significantly more than most VPNs can provide and is more than enough for tasks like streaming. Also, there was just 10 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results, making it one of the most consistent services on the market.

True to its name, PrivateVPN has a watertight no-logs policy. You can also expect military-grade encryption as well as a kill switch and DNS leak protection. It is also lightning-fast for playing multiplayer games and has everything you need to compete in tournaments without fear of DDoS attacks.

PrivateVPN apps can be downloaded and installed for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. It can also be manually configured to work with Linux as well as VPN-compatible routers for use with PlayStation and Xbox game consoles.

USER-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN has fast servers that are great for gaming. Solid privacy and security features. Servers are available in 60+ countries. Apps provide plenty of advanced features. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. PureVPN

PureVPN is another reliable option for gaming. It has thousands of servers across 65+ countries and works effortlessly with most region-locked sites and games. In fact, it can even access platforms like Netflix abroad, so you shouldn’t have any issues being detected by your favorite games. Users can connect up to 10 devices at a time and speak with customer support, day or night, via live chat.

The real question is whether this VPN is fast enough for gaming. To find out, we put its American servers to the test, measuring their speed three times on a 250 Mbps connection (the average household broadband speed in the US). You’ll find the results in the following chart:

PureVPN delivered an average speed of 72.32 Mbps. It’s consistent too, with speeds varying by just Mbps throughout the day. In real terms, this will allow you to play games (even streaming them live if you’d like) while on a video call, without any noticeable slowdown or performance issues.

Despite its low cost, PureVPN ensures robust privacy with features like a no-logs policy, AES encryption, and DNS leak protection. These are essential for gamers to avoid ISP throttling, bypass network restrictions, and secure their connections, especially on public wifi. It also means you can play games at work or on campus without being monitored. Naturally, it follows a strict no-logs policy too.

The additional cost for port forwarding may not be critical for gamers, but it is a great option for those who also seed regularly. Live chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee allow you to test PureVPN with any of your games.

CHEAP GAMING:PureVPN is the cheapest fast VPN for gaming. It has servers in 65+ countries and works to access all popular games. Port forwarding is available for torrenting but at an extra cost. Works to access Netflix US, Hulu, Max, and many other popular platforms. Has a fully audited no-logging policy and strong AES encryption. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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8. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a service developed by the team behind Proton Mail in Switzerland. It is a highly trusted and advanced VPN that is suitable for a wide selection of tasks, including gaming, streaming, torrenting, and making private video calls. There are servers in over 100 countries, as well as 24/7 customer support, and a generous 10-connection limit.

Let’s talk about performance. ProtonVPN usually does quite well in our industry-wide speed reviews, but even small changes to the network can have a big impact on speed. With that in mind, we tested its American servers at three points during the day to see just how reliable this provider’s speeds really were. See for yourself:

ProtonVPN achieved impressive levels of performance, averaging 112.5 Mbps with just 13 Mbps of variance. In other words, users shouldn’t experience any lag, stuttering, or disconnections when gaming, even if lots of other people in their home are using the internet at the same time.

The VPN has a solid no-logging policy and has completed security audits of all its apps and its network infrastructure. This makes it a hugely trustworthy service based in a country with strong privacy laws.

It has apps for all major platforms that are packed with strong privacy features, including AES encryption, multiple protocols, stealth VPN, a system-level kill switch, obfuscation, and multi-hop connections. It also has split tunneling and port forwarding for torrenting. The only drawback is that it is more expensive than some of its competitors. However, if you need a VPN for a short vacation, it is actually cheaper, making it a no-brainer.

SECURE AND PRIVATE:ProtonVPN is a secure VPN that is perfect for advanced users. Has a solid no-logs policy, AES encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Works to get an IP address in more than 85 countries. A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test it with any game.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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Finding the best VPNs for gaming: Our methodology

Deciding which VPN to use for gaming can be tricky. The choices are almost limitless, with new providers popping up all the time, and they don’t all offer the same features or quality of service. To determine which VPNs are best, we first need to identify which aspects have the biggest impact on gaming and then set a base standard for each. Here are the criteria we used to separate the best from the rest:

Speed

Speed is a huge factor to consider when shopping for a gaming VPN. If your connection is too slow, you’ll encounter all sorts of problems, from sporadic disconnection to in-game lag. The issue is that getting accurate data is difficult due to the randomness of the internet. So, how does our team offset this and provide representative speed test results?

For starters, we run three tests at different times of day to account for decreased performance during peak times. All tests are run on US servers, and a connection capped to the US average household’s broadband speed (250 Mbps). Finally, we averaged these results and normalized them to get a score out of 10 for each VPN:

NordVPN delivered the highest average score, giving it a perfect 10 out of 10. Surfshark was just slightly below, scoring 9, while IPVanish took third place with 8.6. It’s worth noting, though, that every service in our list was fast enough for flawless, uninterrupted gaming.

Versatility

Our next task was to see how versatile each VPN was. This involved looking into how many countries their network covered, how reliably they worked with major streaming platforms, whether they supported port forwarding, and how many devices they allow users to connect at the same time. Let’s see how our top VPNs for gaming fared:

PureVPN came out on top, with an impressive 9 points. This was largely due to its expansive network and port forwarding support. PrivateVPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all performed well here, too.

Security and privacy

The primary goal of any VPN is to protect your online activities. Of course, gaming presents additional dangers, like DDoS attacks and SWATTING, so security should be a top priority. As such, we won’t recommend any service that doesn’t offer a kill switch, leak protection, uncrackable encryption, and a strict no-logging policy. The table below shows all 16 criteria we consider when assigning scores:

Feeling a little overwhelmed by all these technical terms? No problem: the following table makes it much easier to compare providers side by side:

There was a tie for first place between NordVPN and Surfshark, each scoring 9.5 points. The only thing preventing these providers from getting a perfect score was the fact that NordVPN’s authentication could be slightly stronger, and that Surfshark is based in a Nine Eyes country. Still, they scored so highly in other privacy-related areas that neither issue is a dealbreaker.

Ease of use

Simply put, the more newcomer-friendly a VPN is, the better. Here at Comparitech, we prioritize services that streamline the process of signing up, cancelling, and using the app on a day-to-day basis. They might offer task-specific servers, an unlimited number of connections, or just 24/7 customer support, for instance. Take a look at our full judging criteria below:

NordVPN took the top spot again, scoring an impressive 9.6 points out of 10. In addition to unblocking every streaming platform we tested, it onboards new users very effectively, even explaining its more advanced features in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. Plus, having access to torrenting-optimized servers and 24/7 support over live chat is never a bad thing.

Value for money

One of our main goals is to ensure you get a high-quality VPN without breaking the bank. This doesn’t mean we only recommend the cheapest services, though. Instead, we carefully consider factors like how often they go on sale, how steep their long-term discounts are, and whether they provide discounts for students. Our one requirement is that services offer a money-back guarantee, since that effectively acts as a free trial.

Surfshark and IPVanish had the highest scores in this category, and it’s easy to see why. Neither has any connection or bandwidth limits, and they offer deeply discounted rates if you’re willing to sign up for a year or more. Throw in the fact that they’re capable of accessing most major streaming apps, and they become exceptional, affordable options for gamers. NordVPN and CyberGhost were close on their heels, though.

Of course, this is just the first step. These tests form part of the VPN testing and analysis our team performs as part of our wider research process.

Best VPNs for hosting games online

Now you know which VPNs to choose from if all you want to do is play a game online. But if you want to host one? That requires a couple more criteria to consider:

• Port forwarding. Games often only operate on certain ports. Game servers and older LAN games will require a VPN equipped with port forwarding. This allows other gamers to find and connect to your public IP address through the forwarded port. Note that it’s not necessary or even recommended to port forward your router and the VPN at the same time. Only the VPN requires port forwarding, or else risk opening yourself up to attack.
• Static IP addresses are also sometimes referred to as dedicated IPs, though the two differ slightly. A static IP address will allow you to run a reliable game server that won’t change IPs all the time. They can also allow friends to connect to your host computer via LAN apps like Hamachi and Evolve without constantly updating your IP address.

With those criteria in mind, here are a few VPNs for hosting online games:

• NordVPN: Offers a handful of static IP servers at no extra cost. Port forwarding is not yet supported, but the company says it plans to implement it in a forthcoming update.
• AirVPN: Each Air VPN server has one static exit-IP address with which clients connected to that server are “visible” on the internet. No specific setup is necessary. Users may forward up to 20 ports simultaneously from the client area dashboard on AirVPN’s website. Private dedicated IPs are available and can be requested by contacting AirVPN.
• TorGuard: You can add dedicated server IPs to a list in the TorGuard app in the settings menu under the Servers tab. It will then appear at the top of the server selection list on the main client. To set up port forwarding, you’ll need to request it on the TorGuard website. Processing is usually instant. Go to My Services > View Details >> Management Actions >> Port Management.

Why you should use a VPN for online gaming

A VPN service encrypts a device’s internet connection and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of the user’s choosing. The encryption and re-routing process can slow down connections and increase lag. Since online gamers want the fastest connection to a game server they can get, it might seem counterintuitive at first to use a VPN, but there are benefits.

Why you should use a VPN for gaming:

• Access geo-locked games that are inaccessible from your country of residence. Is your favorite game limited to South Korea or Japan? No problem! Just connect to a VPN server in those countries and brush up on your language skills.
• Bypass IP bans. Did you get unjustly IP-banned from a game that you love? A VPN will change your IP address so you can get back in the action.
• Access to Steam and other marketplaces when traveling abroad. Steam and other online game stores may not accept payment if your IP address does not match the country in your profile. A VPN can help you get around this.
• Protection from DDoS attacks. If you’re a competitive gamer and the other team is using dirty tactics to target your IP address with a denial-of-service attack, many VPNs have built-in protections against that.
• Protection from hackers and snoops. Leaving your connection open to a game for long periods of time can be a security risk. The encryption and IP masking a VPN offers will help keep you safe.
• Play games not yet released in your country. If you live in Europe and want to get your hands on a game only available in the US, a VPN can help you get earlier access. Just make sure you’re not breaking any terms of service.
• Access to other regions’ game servers. If you have a friend in another country you want to play with, but the game’s servers are split up by region, a VPN can let you play together.
• Unblock Discord. Discord is blocked in some countries and certain environments. All of the VPNs we recommend support split tunneling, which allows users to choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t. You can unblock Discord with a VPN while at the same time using a direct connection for games.
• Access to game streaming services. Game streaming services like Google Stadia and Xbox Cloud are only available in certain countries. You can unblock them with a VPN.

Note: Some online gaming VPNs will claim they can also lower ping time and lag. However, we recommend you take this claim with a grain of salt. In some cases, a VPN will give you access to a game server that’s performing better or even find a faster route between you and the game server. However, in the vast majority of cases, the encryption and re-routing process that VPNs use will increase your ping time.

VPNs that gamers should avoid

BolehVPN

We like BolehVPN on the whole, but not for gaming. We’re only singling it out here because we’ve seen multiple other sites claiming that BolehVPN offers gaming-optimized servers and game-hosting services. In fact, it never offered gaming-optimized servers and has since quit selling game hosting services. With only 14 countries to choose from, it’s just not great for gaming.

Free VPNs

Free VPNs usually have a limited number of servers, cap data transfers, require queueing to connect, and throttle bandwidth. They also tend to have worse security and privacy policies compared to paid VPN services. All in all, they’re just not suitable for gaming.

Using PPTP for a faster connection

Normally, we never recommend PPTP ahead of other protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, or L2TP. If those options are too slow, however, you may consider using the PPTP protocol when gaming. PPTP tends to be faster than many other options and is still widely supported both by VPN providers and operating systems.

Be warned, however, that you shouldn’t depend on a PPTP VPN connection to keep you secure. The protocol has known security vulnerabilities. This means you shouldn’t use it for any privacy-critical tasks. If you want fast speeds and privacy, your best bet is to use the WireGuard protocol. Most of our recommended gaming VPNs are now offering this protocol.

SOCKS5 proxy for gaming

If all you want to do is access a game that’s geo-blocked in your area, consider using a SOCKS5 proxy. Because SOCKS5 proxies don’t encrypt traffic by default, they tend to be faster than VPNs (not the overloaded free ones, mind you).

Bear in mind, however, that SOCKS5 proxies don’t come with any of the security bonuses of VPNs. The provider can mine your traffic for personal data and inject malware or advertisements. You won’t get a NAT firewall or DDoS protection.

NordVPN subscriptions come with free SOCKS5 proxies and plenty of locations to choose from. The company maintains a strict no-logs policy, so you don’t have to worry about them abusing your data.

How to keep kids safe when gaming online

Privacy and security are just as important when you game as when you browse the internet. Kids who game online can put themselves at risk of a range of threats, including cyber harassment, malware infection, SWATTING, invasion of privacy, and generally conversing with strangers that you’d rather them not communicate with.

Here are a few precautions you can implement to keep your kids safe online while gaming:

• Always use a VPN. This will mask your home’s real IP address and replace it with that of the VPN server, making it much more difficult for any third party to track your location or identify your device.
• Keep your devices and software up to date. Don’t sit on security updates for your computers, smartphones, and game consoles. Likewise, update apps and games as soon as updates are available.
• Avoid pirating games and only download games from reputable sites and vendors.
• Use the parental controls and filtering built into your game console or Steam to steer kids away from mature content.
• Wipe personal details and other data from unused devices
• Disable the voice chat on games that use public matchmaking to team up with strangers
• Don’t use a webcam when streaming on Twitch
• Don’t use a real photo as an avatar
• Don’t use your real name in your gamer handle or profile. In fact, don’t fill out any non-essential information in your profile.
• Configure your account settings so that your child cannot spend money on games or microtransactions without your permission

While all that can help protect your child online, the best protection is awareness. Talk to your child about the risks of divulging personal information to strangers. Here are a few guidelines for kids:

• Never reveal your real age, name, school, or location.
• Never arrange to meet someone you met in the game in real life.
• If you are bullied or made to feel uncomfortable, tell an adult. [Kids should not be punished for confiding in their parents!].
• Don’t believe what strangers tell you online.
• Don’t be a troll.

Using a VPN for gaming: FAQs