Hey there! If you‘re an avid Discord user, I‘ll bet safeguarding your personal information isn‘t the first thing on your mind while chatting about your favorite games. But being part of an active online community means you‘re vulnerable without the right privacy measures in place.
In this guide, I‘ll break down exactly why Discord isn‘t as secure as you might assume, the different ways your data is being tracked and exploited, plus easy solutions you can start using today to take control over who has access to your online activity.
By the end, you’ll have a complete game plan to browse, chat and game freely on Discord without worrying who might be spying on your connections in the background. Sound good? Let’s tackle this challenge together!
Why Online Privacy Matters, Especially on Discord
First, let‘s get on the same page about online threats. As Discord’s popularity exploded to over 140 million monthly active users, that growing user base caught the attention of cyber criminals looking for personal info to steal.
Hackers now have Discord users in their crosshairs. Without proper online security, every server you join and friend you chat with poses a potential vulnerability able to compromise your passwords, financial information and more.
But criminals aren’t the only digital spies watching Discord’s unencrypted data transfers. According to their privacy policy, Discord collects everything—your messages, usernames, gaming activity and device details. While they claim not to sell user data, it can be turned over to authorities.
In 2022 alone, Discord received over 116 government data requests which covered hundreds of user accounts.
And your internet service provider is lurking as well, logging and monetizing your Discord usage habits. That’s all on top of ad trackers and analytics services built into the platform watching each click.
When everyone’s eyes are on your data, personal privacy ceases to exist. Fortunately there’s an easy fix to take back control…
Regain Your Privacy With a Trusted VPN
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, lets users encrypt traffic and route it through a secure tunnel to the service’s servers stationed globally. This protects your data from prying eyes along the transfer path while hiding your IP address and physical location.
Connecting a VPN before accessing Discord wraps every chat session, voice call and server hop in an impenetrable privacy shield, locking out cyberattacks and preventing spying from other users, criminals, your ISP or Discord itself. Just look at the protections gained by adding a VPN into the mix:
- Encrypted data and alter IP address to prevent hacking
- Change virtual location to bypass government restrictions
- Mask online activity from ISP throttling and public WiFi snooping
- Reduce risk of doxxing and SWATting by hiding actual location
- Stop Discord and advertisers from harvesting private information
- Access region-locked Discord gaming content
A quality VPN makes Discord safe for even the most hardcore gaming enthusiasts streaming on private servers. Next you just have to pick the right service for your needs.
Top 5 VPNs for Protecting Discord Chats
I put together this list of top-rated VPNs to use with Discord based on security, speeds and unique gamer-friendly features. Here are the frontrunners:
1. NordVPN – Ideal for Gamer Performance
The most recognizable name in consumer VPNs for good reason, NordVPN has perfected their global network infrastructure to deliver lag-free Discord performance. Their 5400+ worldwide servers are ultra-fast thanks to specialty gaming configuration options.
NordVPN earns praise from experts for their range of AES-256 bit encryption protocols and extensive platform support. Being based outside surveillance agreements in Panama offers peace of mind against governmentdata sharing too.
For power Discord users, six simultaneous connections and P2P downloading support are a boon. And dedicated IP options let you secure chat servers long term rather than reconnect constantly. Overall if you want one trustworthy VPN that feels invisible while gaming, NordVPN is it.
2. ExpressVPN – Excellent Security Features
Boasting an impressive 160 server locations across 94 countries, ExpressVPN leads the industry when it comes to network speed and reliability. This translates into clear, uninterrupted Discord performance coveted by gamers.
Under the hood, ExpressVPN runs a 256-bit AES encrypted network backed by Perfect Forward Secrecy for rendering intercepted data useless. And their proprietary Lightway protocol secures connections faster than competitors.
For Discord, one advantage is split-tunneling support. You can set only your chat app traffic to route through ExpressVPN servers while excluding web browsers to save on data usage and speed. ExpressVPN also offers round the clock live chat support, essential for handling connectivity hiccups alongside privacy.
3. CyberGhost – Extra Security Tools
Brought to you by cybersecurity firm CyberGhost SA, their VPN of the same name bundles helpful malware and ad blocking directly into the apps. This prevents nuisance ads or dangerous sites from interrupting your Discord sessions.
Their global network boasts 7200+ servers in 91 countries to keep geo-blocked channels accessible. AES-256 bit encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy ensures chats stay secured.
For features, their VPN allows seven devices connected simultaneously. You‘ll also find specialty servers optimized for chat apps like Discord that offer faster speeds by limiting extraneous bandwidth. And port forwarding support adds another layer of protection.
4. Surfshark – Unlimited Device Connections
What sets Surfshark apart is the incredible value around device connections. For the cheap monthly price, you can encrypt an unlimited number of phones, laptops, tablets and household products to safeguard entire families chatting on Discord.
Surfshark manages this impressive coverage while still providing private chats globally across its 100 server locations. They also stand out for allowing torrent P2P activity across the whole network. Perfect for gamers downloading custom game mods!
The apps make getting up and running a breeze even for VPN newcomers. Under the surface, AES-256 bit encryption and a multi-hop feature letting you chain VPN connections boost privacy further. For budget shoppers, Surfshark holds its own securing Discord.
5. AtlasVPN – New But Full-featured Freemium Option
As a newcomer, AtlasVPN makes a splash by offering their basic VPN product 100% free alongside premium paid plans. Despite the unconventional approach, AtlasVPN includes 750+ servers in 44 locations and the standard suite of VPN privacy tools.
Even on the free Setting, expect military-grade AES-256 data encryption, DNS leak protection, an internet kill switch plus tools to block ads and stop malware. Paid tiers unlock unlimited data use, faster speeds and access to more servers.
AtlasVPN explains their setup this way – data insights from free users still help optimize network security for paying members. This lets them subsidize costs in return for volunteering performance metrics.
Their freemium model means those wary of recurring fees can test a capable no-logs VPN before spending anything. AtlasVPN certainly thinks outside the box while sticking to security best practices.
Which VPN Is Right For You?
Choosing the ideal VPN comes down to a mix of your budget, priorities around features, and technical needs. Keep these aspects in mind:
Speed – Try gaming focused VPNs like NordVPN first if keeping ping rates or download times low is crucial for your Discord community.
Devices Supported – Account for all the gadgets where you use Discord when checking platform support. Surfshark is fantastic if securing routers, game consoles and more niche products.
Server Locations – Discord often region blocks game content or feature testing. Wider server coverage makes bypassing restrictions easier.
Budget – Factor monthly costs against what privacy protections matter most. Freemium AtlasVPN functions well for basic encryption needs around casual Discord use.
Customer Support – Tech hiccups happen! Pick a VPN with responsive live chat to get back chatting on Discord ASAP when connections flake out.
Addressing Common VPN Misconceptions
If trying a VPN is new to you, friends might warn against it by parroting a few common myths. Let’s clear up the facts:
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VPNs will drastically slow down gaming speeds – In the past this held true, but modern VPNs now tap much faster protocols that add barely noticeable lag. Top services also optimize servers specifically to support traffic from chat apps and games.
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Sharing data is harmless to pay for “free” services – While many accept this bargain, remember that once profile data enters third party hands, you lose all control. VPNs like AtlasVPN show paying small fees ensures companies protect user privacy rather than exploit it.
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Authorities forbid VPN use – Actually VPNs reside in a legal gray area internationally. While countries like China do actively block VPN access, using them elsewhere only violates streaming platform terms of service rather than any laws.
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VPN companies log everything despite claims – Quality audits help verify no traffic logging policies. And note logging means capturing activity data like sites visited rather than operational metrics needed to maintain infrastructure.
The core point remains: trusted VPN brands have built billion dollar businesses around NOT collecting or selling sensitive user data. Good services want to protect privacy, not violate it.
Real-World Discord Security Breaches
Still not convinced adding layers of encryption matters? Look at data leaks impacting Discord over recent years:
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In 2016, hacking group OurMine compromised the official Discord developer account using vulnerabilities in Cloudflare to then access employee credentials.
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A 2018 breach saw intruders spam racial slurs across 7500 Discord communities by targeting exposed webhooks not properly configured by server admins.
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Discord hacking hit celebrities in 2022 like social media star Nikolas Ferreira. His account was stolen to push cryptocurrency scams out to an audience of over 55k contacts before regaining control.
And day-to-day, Discord servers suffer outages from DDoS attacks or see chat logs leaked by bitter moderators removed from communities. Without warning, server infrastructure issues also once disabled 2FA protection across the platform in 2020.
How VPN Encryption Actually Works
Encrypting data boils down to running it through advanced algorithms supported by keys that transform information into indecipherable gibberish. By encoding data this way, only parties with access to secret decoding keys can restore access.
VPNs rely on thoroughly tested encryption like AES-256 bit that uses insanely robust 256 bit keys paired with the AES cipher system. Together they render data unusable to outside observers.
Keys get regularly refreshed to prevent decoding too over time. And Perfect Forward Secrecy ensures keys expire immediately after sessions end so intercepted data has no value.
The technology powering VPNs thus leaves no shortcuts around for thieves. Encryption works exactly as promised to give Discord users safety, provided companies follow through on security claims and commitment to protecting sensitive data always.
Take Back Your Privacy Starting Today!
After breaking down those basics, I hope you’ve got a new appreciation for the privacy risks facing Discord plus the sheer power of linking its chat system through an encrypted VPN tunnel.
It’s alarming how insecure most consumer apps and sites we rely on prove behind the scenes. But there’s also never been an easier time fighting back thanks to privacy solutions anyone can set up in minutes.
So enjoy Discord as it was meant to be used—with complete peace of mind that every conversation, file download and group hangout happens bypassing the data miners lurking on the sidelines! Thanks for taking this important step towards reclaiming control over your personal information.