If you’re a regular YouTube video and Twitch stream viewer or podcast listener, you’ve likely heard the term “VPN” a few times–ExpressVPN is a popular sponsor. But what exactly is a VPN, and what are they for?
In the video above, Jean-Luc Seipke discusses the ins and outs of a VPN, as well as why you might want to pay for one. Standing for virtual private network, a VPN is designed to both secure and encrypt a connection between two networks. That opens up personal benefits for their users, especially when it comes to video streaming.
In terms of gaming, a VPN’s usefulness will fluctuate case to case. It won’t improve your internet connection beyond what you currently pay for, but a VPN can be especially helpful if you’re playing online video games that rely on a peer to peer connection. With a VPN, you can protect yourself from DDoS attacks, which you really only need to care about in online games that rely on a peer to peer connection.
You’ll have to watch the full video for a breakdown on VPNs in generation. If you do decide that a VPN is right for you, we recommend ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or IPVanish if you’re a gamer.