How To Set Up A VPN on Your Playstation Consoles (PS3, PS4, and PS5)
date
Mar 24, 2022
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Published
summary
Since there is no VPN for Playstation, you need to utilize router or PC. When you learn how to set up a VPN on your Playstation Console, you can enjoy fast and secure streaming experience on your PS.
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Post
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Berktug Mutlu
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Vpn
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How To Set Up A VPN on Your Playstation Consoles (PS3, PS4, and PS5) - FastVPN
Owning a PlayStation console is a great way to play video games and stream movies. However, securing your console is incredibly important when ensuring you don’t expose personal data. But how do you set up VPN on your PlayStation consoles? Below, we will explore two known methods for establishing a VPN on your PlayStation consoles.
Why Do You Need a VPN on Your PlayStation?How To Set Up a VPN on Any Playstation ConsoleOption #1: Using Your VPN RouterOption #2: Using a Virtual RouterWhat About Playstation VPNs on Mac Devices?How To Test Your PlayStation ConnectionOther Security Tips for Playstation ConsolesPlaystation VPN FAQsCan You Download a VPN on Your PlayStation?Should You Use a Free VPN With Your Playstation?Will A VPN Slow Down My Gaming Experience?Does Setting Up a VPN Change Depending On Your Console Generation?Can I Use a Mobile Hotspot for My PlayStation VPN?Will These Steps Help Me With Other Game Consoles?Conclusion – Do You Need a Playstation VPN?
Why Do You Need a VPN on Your PlayStation?
Knowing how is one part, but the why is often harder to see. In this case, your reasons for establishing a PlayStation VPN are twofold:
- It provides you with a security layer to protect unwanted intruders
- You can use it to gain access to another country’s streaming library
Having an unsecured connection (regardless of where it comes from) is an entry point for potential hackers, government agencies, online businesses, and internet service providers.
Irrespective of your reasons, you have a right to privacy. Even something as innocuous as your PlayStation streaming data is something you own; nobody else needs to know this information.
While violating a TOS agreement is something we can’t condone, we think data security is essential. Check out these PlayStation VPN tips to start.
How To Set Up a VPN on Any Playstation Console
First, it is essential to note that no trustworthy VPN provider is available on the PlayStation store. Despite there being support for some third-party applications, VPNs aren’t among them. As a result, you’ll need to utilize one of these two external devices:
- Router
- PC/Mac
We’ll start with how to use your VPN router.
Option #1: Using Your VPN Router
Before we get too far into this, know that we have a detailed set of instructions you can follow to set up your router as a VPN. If you don’t want the details, know that many risks come with following these steps.
To start, you’ll need to acquire a VPN router. This will skip most of the complicated nature of flashing your router, otherwise erasing and replacing it with third-party firmware. Because third-party firmware involves eliminating your warranty, do so at your own risk.
Before buying a new router, you can also use the DD-WRT database to see what routers support third-party software. If your router is WIP (Work-in-Progress), you risk bricking your router when installing your firmware. Tomato, another third-party firmware provider, provides an alternative option.
Flashing your router by installing this software involves three steps:
- Downloading your third-party firmware
- Going to the router update page
- Uploading your new firmware and hitting the “install” button
Next, you’ll want to power cycle your router and insert details from your VPN. VPN router credentials will require installing an OVPN file or manually inserting a server, username, and password. Regardless, you’ll find them on your respective VPN provider’s router section, typically found on their dashboard.
Buying a router with a VPN section allows you to avoid potential bricking. Often, purchasing a VPN-supported router will enable you to avoid some of the more significant risks of losing a router.
Option #2: Using a Virtual Router
A virtual router converts your Mac or PC into a makeshift router. Having the entirety of your connection go through the PC provides security.
Through this, the easy part is installing and activating your VPN software. Do so as though you are going to do regular browsing. Once your VPN is active, you can go through these steps for Windows devices:
- For wireless connections, activate a hotspot (assuming your computer can do so)
- Go to your “control panel” and “internet & network.”
- Select “mobile hotspot.”
- Share your connection over WiFi
- Turn on your mobile hotspot and set up a unique SSID and password
Your alternative option requires you to establish a connection with multiple ethernet cables (one for connections going in and one for coming out).
To address this, you’ll need to right-click on your wired/wireless internet connection properties and allow for sharing. This is often simpler with a Laptop, as standard desktop PCs don’t typically have a wireless adapter or two ethernet connections.
People used to connect via LAN parties in similar fashions back in the day. So because ethernet connections still go both ways, you could feasibly have an ethernet connection going into your laptop with a wired connection coming out.
This direct non-wireless method will only secure your PlayStation console, not your other items. Using the wireless method will enable you to convert your entire home network but will likely slow everything down.
What About Playstation VPNs on Mac Devices?
Mac Devices also support sharing your connections, creating a virtual routing environment. Start your VPN as though you are going through regular browsing. After, you can follow these steps to share your connection:
- Go to “sharing” under “system preferences.”
- Click “share your devices from” and choose your VPN connection.
- Choose WiFi or Ethernet (depending on whether you have a direct or wireless connection)
- Establish your network name and password (if wireless)
You can also follow a similar process when setting up via Linux. However, you’ll need to download the Linux hotspot tools for wireless connections.
How To Test Your PlayStation Connection
Whether you use your PS3, 4, or 5, testing your connection is most easily done by connecting to a streaming service. If your Netflix account shows a new, foreign location, you know you’ve done it right.
Your only alternative option for testing this connection is through online gaming. If you start connecting to long-distance servers, that’s another sign. However, checking your IP via the console’s browser is another simple way.
Some games also enable you to reveal your location from the options menu. The screenshot above shows you information from Call of Duty.
Other Security Tips for Playstation Consoles
- Do not share personal data online; people might use this information to pretend to be you.
- Be sure you pick solid VPN protection. A VPN with a good general security reputation will work here.
- When creating your online usernames, do not use your name or any identifying information.
- Follow our same advice when going through network tethering as you would when creating security keys and SSIDs.
Playstation VPN FAQs
Can You Download a VPN on Your PlayStation?
When writing this, you cannot download a VPN via the PlayStation Store. There is a chance that as these game-based app stores become more popular that this could change. It is more likely to happen on Xbox, as the Microsoft Store also supports the Windows operating system.
Should You Use a Free VPN With Your Playstation?
You can use a free VPN with your PlayStation. Still, it would be best to remain selective with what VPN you use on your console. Many free VPNs will sell you personal data or use programmatic advertising in exchange for its use. This eliminates its usefulness as a security platform.
Will A VPN Slow Down My Gaming Experience?
Even in the best-case scenarios, VPNs will slow you down. However, using VPNs that balance internet speed for gaming and security will avoid this situation. You can also use balanced VPN protocols (like IKEv2/IPSec or WireGuard) to help prevent this slowdown issue.
Does Setting Up a VPN Change Depending On Your Console Generation?
Because setting up a VPN doesn’t involve going through any console menus, no. You need to take no unique steps for PS3, PS4, or PS5. All three of them will be secured behind the “routing” environment.
Can I Use a Mobile Hotspot for My PlayStation VPN?
Nothing tells you that you cannot use a mobile hotspot for your PS3/4/5 VPN. However, mobile devices are evil at supporting gaming connections because of their instability and slower speeds. This is why you often see instructions to use an Ethernet cable.
However, as 5G networks continue to grow in popularity, you might find more network users able to use this connection method. But until those speeds reach you, stick with standard internet connections (and ideally a LAN cable).
Will These Steps Help Me With Other Game Consoles?
Yes, because all of the steps on this list involve no interaction with a game console, they apply to all existing game consoles, smart toasters, and other devices without VPN capabilities. However, there is no telling how spoofing your location might impact some devices (i.e., Alexa devices might choose to match your country’s language).
Conclusion – Do You Need a Playstation VPN?
Admittedly speaking, there is a less likely chance of someone stealing your connection data from a game console. However, hackers are becoming bolder and more creative, meaning that you could find this situation to change. So it is better to be secure and prepared rather than assume you will remain closed.
Even in cases where the hacker only gets your connection logs, they can use this information for social manipulation. They might call Sony to access your account information, often using it to steal other financial information.
The best VPN for your PlayStation console is The Fast VPN. This VPN offers military-grade encryption to protect your mobile devices and network through a virtual environment. This enables you to avoid the more complicated aspect of setting up a router-based VPN.
