While the best VPN (Virtual Private Network) may not be at the top of your must-have list when it comes to gaming, using a gaming VPN actually has some distinct advantages.

VPNs protect your online privacy by rerouting your Internet connection through a secure server, preventing your Internet service provider or hackers or other malicious individuals from spying on your online activities.

Because these secure servers are located in various countries, a VPN also allows you to browse the Internet as if you were viewing it elsewhere, bypassing blocks by your workplace or school. Streaming content can also be viewed.

But this article will go beyond those traditional uses and explore the benefits of using a VPN for gaming to help you decide if it is worth the investment.

Many people believe that VPNs slow down Internet connections, and this is true to some extent; VPNs add an additional layer of encryption, which can slightly slow down Internet connection speeds. In addition, if you choose to route through distant servers, you may experience additional time lags due to the longer distances data packets have to travel.

So why would you want to add something that may slow down your connection to your game setup? The answer is bandwidth throttling.

If your Internet Service Provider (or ISP) notices certain activity from your IP address, such as a large amount of gaming or streaming, they may intentionally slow down your Internet connection accordingly. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including preventing network congestion.

If you notice your Internet connection speed fluctuating during gaming, you may be experiencing bandwidth throttling.

Fortunately, bandwidth throttling can be easily circumvented by using a VPN, which anonymizes your Internet activity so that your ISP cannot know what you are doing online and cannot throttle your connection as a result of that activity. VPNs cannot know what you are doing online and cannot throttle your connection as a result of that activity.

You may not think you need to protect your privacy when playing games, but a surprising amount of personal information may be linked to your gaming account. Personal information such as name, email address, home address, and credit card number can be compromised if a third party gains access to your game account credentials.

You are especially vulnerable when playing games over public Wi-Fi, such as in a hotel while traveling or in a coffee shop enjoying a cold beer. Because public Wi-Fi networks are often unencrypted, hackers can easily spy on your activities while you are using the Wi-Fi.

Using a VPN will encrypt your online activity and protect your privacy.

Some online games use your location to customize your in-game experience. This means that the version of the game you access may be different than if you accessed the game elsewhere.

For example, the experience in a mobile game like Pokémon Go is completely dependent on your real-world location. Depending on where you are, the game may not be playable at all.

Some VPNs can be used to change server locations, access location-specific resources, or spoof Pokémon GO locations.

You can also use a VPN to access games that are not available in your country; a VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions.

Also, game developers often roll out new games or new updates in certain locations first; with a VPN, you don't have to wait for that new game you've been eagerly waiting for to be released in your country.

Having a slow Internet connection with your ISP or not being able to access in-game events because you are not in your own country can be a frustrating experience.

With the right VPN, however, you can bypass bandwidth limitations and unlock content from around the world.

When looking for a gaming VPN, you want to look for a fast connection speed, a variety of servers, and an app for smartphones and tablets for mobile gaming. a VPN with an app for routers, like ExpressVPN, will allow you to use any device you want to avoid bandwidth limitations by .