Internet security is crucial. As denizens of all sides of the web, we know how easy it is for hackers to steal our content. Our information is easily accessible to someone with just a little bit of experience. And the government barely even pretends it’s not trying to surveil us these days.
VPNs have become the bare minimum of what you need to keep yourself safe online. At this point, it’s irresponsible to use the internet without one. By masking your location and encrypting your data, they at the least make you more secure than 90% of people online.
An added benefit (and for some, the whole point) of using a VPN is that you get access to streaming sites and geo-restricted content.
So, how do you choose the best VPN as a gamer? Since there are so many out there, you absolutely have to find one with a great review. This is what you should be looking for.
Speed
VPNs inevitably slow you down. You’re being rerouted through another server, after all. That doesn’t mean you can’t get the speeds you need, however. The extremely high speeds available these days are, in general, gratuitous. We don’t need them to be at their fastest in order to do what we have to. Good VPNs will only lower the speed incrementally, and will not compromise your online experience.
Where are the servers?
There are two things you need to consider regarding where a VPN’s external servers are. The first relates to speed. The closer it is to your home, the faster your experience will be. The second relates to what content you want to access. If you are outside the United States or the UK, for example, you might want servers there so that you can access series that are geo-restricted.
Price
Unfortunately, you’re going to have to invest some money in getting an effective VPN. The free ones are just not good enough, and the price of a subscription is not that high if you make it a priority. Also, the good VPNs that are free are generally the “lite” versions of a paid service, with limited bandwidth. When you’re playing games or downloading torrents, you’ll run out of bandwidth fast.
Unrestricted
It’s important to keep in mind that some VPNs restrict your internet usage. They do not allow for online games or downloading torrents. Before you commit any money to a subscription, make sure you read all their terms of use. VPNs should not be restrictive, but should in fact open the door to using the internet more freely.
Devices
Finally, a VPN should not be limited to one device. You should be able to use one subscription for all of your devices, including your computer, phone, and tablet. Make sure that the VPN you choose is compatible with all your devices, and that its reviews recommend it across platforms.
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