How to set up the best VPN for gaming on Xbox or PlayStation

Gaming has evolved over the years, and video games have now come to represent the cutting edge of human ingenuity. This has been accompanied by undeniably powerful gaming consoles and machines, with PlayStation and Xbox ruling the market. These consoles now allow users to do much more than just gaming. 

One of the current trends among console owners has been the use of VPNs. You can set up a VPN for Xbox One or any PlayStation device to enhance your gaming experience or even to use your console for streaming from anywhere. In this guide, we’ll look at how to set up a VPN for gaming on PlayStation or Xbox.

What is a VPN?

In case you are not familiar with the technology, a VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is an online tool that encrypts user traffic and then sends it through a secure tunnel to a remote server. This server then spoofs the user’s IP address and connects them to the internet, providing a new virtual identity and location.

How to set up a VPN on your console

Natively, gaming consoles do not support the installation of VPNs. To run a VPN on a console, you can use any of the following methods.

Set up the VPN via Wi-Fi router

Since the console gets its internet connection from the router, it’s possible to set up the VPN on the router level and then connect to the already encrypted network. To do this, you will need a router capable of running a VPN connection.

Most modern routers allow you to set up a VPN with ease. However, the procedure varies with both the router brand and the VPN service. For the specific procedure required for your model and the VPN service, you can check both the manufacturer’s website and the VPN’s website. Generally, you will need your account name, email address, password, and server address.

If you are using the router provided by your ISP, chances are that it doesn’t natively support VPNs. In such a case, you may need to buy a router with the capability. You can also get a router that is already configured at flashrouters, although these will be a little more expensive.

Set up the VPN via your PC/ MAC

Instead of encrypting your entire network, you can also set up a different network using your PC or Mac. To do so, you will need to connect the PC or Mac to the internet using an ethernet port, and then install a VPN of your choice.

If you are using a PC, you can go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center to configure your hotspot. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sharing and select Internet Sharing from the list on the left-hand side.

Benefits of using a VPN on your console

There are various benefits that you can reap from connecting your PlayStation or Xbox to a VPN.

• Reduce lag: A VPN helps reduce your ping and hence lag by reducing the distance between your server and the gaming servers. 
• Access games early: Some new games or beta versions are initially released early in select regions. You can always change your location to get access.
• Access blocked games: If you are in a region where a particular game is blocked, you can always circumvent the ban by connecting to a different country.
• Protect your privacy: A VPN lets you game with maximum privacy by encrypting your traffic and changing your IP address.
• Avoid bandwidth throttling: When your ISP sees that you’ve been consuming a lot of data gaming, they can throttle your connection if you haven’t switched on your VPN.

On top of that, since your PlayStation or Xbox is still a smart device, you can potentially use it to unlock new libraries while streaming on Netflix and other services.

This article has been brought to you by awisee.com.