With the Covid-19 pandemic keeping everyone indoors over the past year, more people than ever are taking up online gaming, either as a fun way to pass the time or a professional endeavour. Whether you’re streaming, playing video games or even using online casinos, it’s important to stay safe online at all times. Hence, you should consider using a VPN or proxy server to hide anonymously on the internet. There are several potential benefits of VPNs or proxies for gamers, but there are also some potential disadvantages.
If you’re unsure about using one, it’s important to do your research beforehand. To get you started, check out this brief overview of the two main tools to mask your online presence.
What are VPNs and Proxies?
Proxies and VPNs allow you to have a high degree of privacy online. But how do they work? A proxy server acts as a gateway, allowing you to browse the web anonymously and circumvent content blockages. They work by masking your IP address, meaning they allow users to bypass monitoring on websites, view content that is limited by geographical location, and pass through a variety of other restrictions.
A VPN (virtual private network) replaces your local ISP routing, meaning you can appear to be getting online from anywhere in the world. Thus, your true location is masked. While a proxy server only encrypts one app or webpage at a time, a VPN secures all your network traffic. They are also great for protecting you against unsecured Wi-Fi networks, adding an extra layer of security so nobody can potentially steal your sensitive information.
Which is Better?
This question depends on what you need. There are several key differences between VPNs and proxies, but both will help add security to your online gaming. VPNs are the better choice for the overall encryption level and will work on the operating system level. Also, a VPN can get you access to virtually any censored or geo-blocked content – a proxy may be unable to get you past more sophisticated restrictions. On the other hand, proxies are usually free, whereas a reliable VPN will normally cost you a service fee. They are also generally faster and can improve your bandwidth.
Potential Drawbacks for Gamers
The main potential disadvantage from a gaming perspective is that an extra level of security may have the unwanted side effect of slowing down your connection. This could affect your ping time and increase lag, but it’s unlikely if you use a reputable server. In particular, if you choose to use a proxy server, you should also consider the possibility that the proxy provider may keep track of your online activity, meaning you aren’t as secure as you think.
To conclude, your online safety is of paramount importance when surfing the web and gaming online. A VPN or proxy server can be useful in masking your location and encrypting your online activity. But be sure to do your due diligence beforehand, choose a reputable provider, and check other user reviews to ensure you will be safe.