Tag Archives: Epic Games

Can You Use a VPN on Fortnite and Should You?

You drop into the Battle Bus, the island stretches out below, and your squad is already arguing about where to land. Maybe you’re chasing that first Victory Royale of the night, grinding quests after work, or jumping in because Fortnite is the one game everyone seems to come back to.

But sometimes the experience isn’t so smooth. Lag spikes ruin firefights. Matchmaking feels sweatier than usual. You can’t connect at school, work, or on a restricted network. Or maybe you’ve heard rumors online: “Use a VPN to get easier lobbies” or “A VPN can lower your ping.”

Gamers can’t help but look for that magic bullet that will give them an edge.

That’s where the question starts popping up: Can you use a VPN on Fortnite? And more importantly, should you?

Let’s break it down and look at the facts.

Can You Use a VPN on Fortnite?

Yes, you can use a VPN while playing Fortnite, and many players do, often without issues.

Fortnite itself doesn’t block VPN usage outright or discourage it entirely. However, Epic Games does care about how and why you’re using one. The distinction matters.

Traditionally, VPNs are used to improve online privacy, secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, or gain access to games and apps that are restricted on local networks.

That type of usage is accepted. However, using a VPN to try to game the system is not. A few examples of behaviors that are frowned upon by Epic Games include using a VPN to:

Manipulate matchmaking
Evade bans
Gain unfair advantages

In short, VPNs aren’t forbidden, but misusing them can put your account at risk.

Benefits of Using a VPN on Fortnite

When used for the right reasons, VPNs offer legitimate advantages to online gamers.

Let’s look at all the reasons to use a VPN in Fortnite that will level up your experience.

Improved Privacy and Security

One key point to keep in mind is that developers like Epic Games have to protect their properties first and foremost.

User privacy is something we can’t assume will always be a top priority. Thus, it’s a good idea to remain proactive about your online privacy to shield yourself from threats.

A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your connection. This can:

Reduce exposure to DDoS attacks
Protect you on public or shared Wi-Fi networks
Add a layer of privacy while gaming online

This is especially relevant for streamers or competitive players.

Playing on Restricted Networks

Some schools, workplaces, or dorm networks block gaming traffic. This happens when network administrators manually select apps or games to restrict access to.

A VPN can sometimes help bypass these restrictions and allow Fortnite to connect normally. Of course, you’ll want to use discretion when using a VPN for this purpose.

Stable Routing (In Some Cases)

You can’t typically turn a bad internet connection into a good one. However, in rare situations, a VPN may:

Route traffic more efficiently
Avoid ISP throttling
Reduce packet loss

These benefits aren’t guaranteed. It often depends on your VPN provider and server choice.

Risks and Considerations

This is where some players get into trouble.

Employees at Epic look at user behavior in manual reviews and need to make quick judgments about whether there are red flags there or not. Also, automated systems are used to locate accounts that break their rules. It’s important to remember that these methods aren’t perfect.

Thus, using a VPN can lead to account actions if it’s paired with other activities that are seen as suspicious.

Epic Games’ terms prohibit:

Circumventing systems
Gaining unfair advantages
Evading enforcement actions

If a VPN is used to manipulate matchmaking regions or dodge bans, it could result in warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans.

Increased Ping and Lag

A VPN adds an encrypted layer between your device and your internet connection for enhanced privacy, but it’s important to remember that speed is the common trade-off. Often, a VPN will:

Increase latency
Add connection overhead
Make gameplay less responsive

For best results, choose a VPN server that is close to Fortnite’s servers.

Inconsistent Matchmaking Claims

There’s a popular belief that VPNs lead to “bot lobbies” or easier matches. In reality:

Fortnite matchmaking is complex
Skill, account behavior, and hidden metrics matter more
Results are inconsistent and unreliable

Many players report no noticeable difference after the initial novelty wears off.

Who Should Use a VPN on Fortnite and Who Shouldn’t

When it comes to Fortnite, VPNs aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

Depending on your needs and what you value the most, a VPN can be essential or not be worth the performance compromise.

VPNs Make Sense If You:

Play on public or shared Wi-Fi
Want added privacy or security
Need access on restricted networks
Are streaming and want IP protection

VPNs Aren’t the Solution If You:

Want easier lobbies or competitive advantages
Are trying to bypass bans or penalties
Already have low ping and stable gameplay
Play competitively where latency matters most

Only the fastest VPNs are worth a look if performance is your top priority.

What Reddit Users Have Experienced

If you’re looking for consistent and significant changes to functions in the game when using a VPN, Reddit users tell a different story. Across Fortnite and VPN-related subreddits, user experiences follow similar patterns:

Short-term curiosity, followed by mixed results
Some report smoother connections; many report higher ping
“Bot lobby” claims are inconsistent and often debunked
Players who used VPNs aggressively for matchmaking manipulation often regret it

The most consistent takeaway from Reddit: VPNs should be used for privacy rather than performance.

Quick Guide to Setting Up Your VPN

Ready to get started with using a VPN on Fortnite? Here’s a simple setup guide:

Choose a reputable VPN provider (fast servers, low latency): Check out LetMeBy’s top VPNs for gaming here.
Select a server close to your physical location (ideally close to Fortnite servers).
Connect before launching Fortnite.
Run a few matches and monitor ping.
Disable the VPN if the performance drop is prominent.

Avoid frequently switching regions or hopping between servers mid-session. It raises red flags and usually hurts gameplay.

Conclusion

So, can you use a VPN on Fortnite? You bet. Should you? That depends entirely on why you want to.

If your goal is privacy, security, or access on restricted networks, a VPN makes sense. If you’re hoping for easier matches, lower ping, or loopholes in matchmaking, the risks outweigh the rewards.

Fortnite runs best on a direct, stable connection, but the enhancements of a VPN are worth it to those who value privacy. A VPN is a fantastic tool, not a cheat code. Use it judiciously because using it the wrong way can cost you more than a bad match.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your next Victory Royale and have a blast.

How to Protect Your Privacy When Playing Online Games

From MMORPGs to battle royale shooters, it’s fun and thrilling for gamers to immerse themselves in a digital world filled with millions of other players.

Once an online game reaches the highest level of popularity it becomes like a world of its own—with its economy, massive variety of items, and culture. And while most of the dangers and challenges are merely a part of the game, there are also real threats gamers need to protect themselves from.

Online privacy is a hot topic these days. When digital experiences provided by social media, games, and apps exploded in popularity your average person wasn’t ready for the privacy ramifications of it all.

Like most tech companies, gaming companies want to collect data about their customers to improve their games, to better understand what gamers want, and of course to increase profits by selling the data or using the data themselves.

Savvy gamers are now deciding for themselves how much data collection is too much. More than ever, gaming platforms like Steam, PSN, and Xbox Live are giving people the tools to protect their privacy and specify which data they’re comfortable sharing and which data they aren’t.

So, let’s dive in. Here are the things you can do to improve your privacy in online video games.

Tweak Your Privacy Settings

When it comes to privacy settings, there’s almost always room for improvement from the default settings.

You need to drill down into menus and sometimes make decisions that prioritize either privacy or features and convenience.

Thankfully, once you tackle it, you’re in good shape for years to come until the gaming platform you use overhauls its approach to managing privacy.

To learn how to tweak your game console settings, see LetMeBy’s guide to protecting your privacy on PS5 and protecting your privacy on Xbox Series X/S.

Unlink Your Social Media

Many big game companies such as Blizzard Entertainment and Bethesda Softworks allow their users to connect their social media accounts to their gaming accounts.

It might seem like an interesting feature to explore if you post content about gaming, but linking to social media may grant the game company access to parts of your personal data such as your name, profile photo, or even what you post and in-game conversations.

It’s almost always preferable to log in with a password specific to that gaming account rather than something like Facebook as there is typically a privacy cost.

Keep Your Antivirus Active and Up-to-Date

Good virus protection is always a must on Windows, but for avid online gamers, it’s even more essential.

Some gamers disable their antivirus software to play online or don’t protect their PC at all because they believe it affects performance. Studies have found that in four out of five cases there’s no reduction in frames-per-second (FPS) when playing games with security software running. And in the rare case it has an effect, it’s not a noticeable one.

The hurdle is antivirus software can sometimes launch automated actions that interfere with your gaming experience. Some examples of this are antivirus database updates, notifications of stopped threats, or scheduled hard drive scans.

Choose antivirus solutions that allow you to delay updates and scans while you play games. Some security software such as Kaspersky [Amazon] have a game mode to ensure it doesn’t start using system resources during an intense boss fight.

Manually Block Data Collection

The services that collect data about you during a gaming session are stealthy indeed. These processes take place in the background so you don’t ever notice them.

Windows users have the power to block servers from collecting data about them. Open up your hosts file and add the IP address and hostname associated with the service you want to block.

Managing these connections manually requires research and tech skills, but you can’t always achieve the desired effect from the game or platform privacy settings. At times it’s better to take matters into your own hands.

Don’t Save Your Credit Card Info

Gaming platforms and consoles make it easy for people to save their credit card info for future purchases. Simply put, it’s more likely you’ll make purchases if you can do it in a few clicks. And companies like getting those frictionless sales.

While it’s no doubt convenient to have your credit card on file, it has risks that come along with it. If somebody gains access to your account, they could manage to collect your credit card info or even make purchases.

More and more, credit card companies are requiring confirmation that changes to your card are genuine. However, it’s still best to play it safe and enter your card info each time you shop for new games.

Use a VPN

VPNs create a secure tunnel in which all data flows between your internet connection and your gaming device.

Your real IP address is hidden and replaced with the IP associated with the VPN service. This makes it either difficult or impossible for companies and malicious users to pinpoint your location or gather data about you.

If you’re looking for a VPN, see LetMeBy’s top 3 VPN picks here. Alternatively, if you’re low on time, here are the VPNs most commonly recommended to gamers on this blog:

Avoid Using Cheats

Offering players cheats has become a common tactic used to trick unsuspecting gamers.

Here’s how it’s done.

Players looking for cheats and hacks will Google terms that bring them to an untrustworthy website. The site could use aggressive and misleading tactics to get players to click ads, complete surveys, or download malicious files.

Additionally, the cheat tool itself could use covert methods such as malware to obtain private data or it could use phishing to gain access to the gamer’s account.

Never download cheats as it not only goes against the terms of service in online games, it also puts your private data at risk. If you choose to download mods, do so from legit apps such as Steam or Epic Games and never from third-party websites.

Conclusion

Online gaming opens up incredible possibilities for players to compete and collaborate with other gamers, explore breathtaking environments, and acquire items that give their character a distinctive appearance.

It’s important to keep in mind that online games have greater risks as well.

There’s always a population of players looking for new ways to cheat and break the rules for their own gain. Online gaming has become so widespread that players are attractive targets for cybercriminals. On top of everything, many big gaming companies have become prying eyes.

Better online privacy doesn’t happen on its own. It’s something gamers need to strive for. And if you do, there’s a good chance your future self will thank you.

Stopping Cheaters in Fortnite Is a Game of Whack-A-Mole

Ever gotten beaten by a player that never missed once in Fortnite? If you’re like most players, it happens too often.

It probably wasn’t a player with superhuman skills, or your imagination, or luck. Odds are you encountered an aim-botter. And it’s one of the most common ways players cheat in the game.

Fortnite Tops the List for the Most Cheaters

A recent study by Surfshark found that Fortnite has the biggest cheating problem out of any online game.

It looked at how many views videos about cheating have on YouTube. Fortnite was number one by a wide margin, followed by Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

As much as it’s disconcerting for Fortnite players it’s also a testament of its incredible popularity. Fortnite is one of the biggest games in the world right now. And the more players, the higher the headcount of cheaters.

The Types of Hacks on Fortnite

The Fortnite cheats you often hear about from game journalists and frustrated players are aimbot and wallhack.

A website that sells Fortnite cheats stated its top hacks include “Aimbot, ESP, Wallhack, Radar Hack, Trigger Bot, No Recoil and more.” They are being sold for around $10.

Aimbot

Aimbot is a cheat that shows no mercy. Every shot hits its target. Players can run, duck, or jump to try to save themselves but their every movement is perfectly tracked. And the cheater’s opponents are blasted away without hesitation. In fact, aimbots are so precise that they can target parts of the body such as the head, neck, chest, or leg.

Wallhack aka ESP

Wallhack makes it impossible for players to hide and use the element of surprise to their advantage. It allows cheaters to see behind walls, structures, and parts of the terrain like mountains and boulders. It’s a devastating hack because Fortnite is all about building forts and using them in battle. Coupled with aimbot this puts cheaters in “god mode” so other players don’t stand a chance.

Epic Games Takes A Stand

So, is developer Epic Games dropping the ball? Although it can seem like it when emotions are riding high after getting blasted by an aim-botter, the company is actually pulling out all the stops to make it difficult for cheaters.

Community Coordinator Nathan Mooney had this to say on Fortnite’s official blog:

To start, addressing cheaters in Fortnite is the highest priority across Epic Games. We are constantly working against both the cheaters themselves and the cheat providers. And it’s ongoing, we’re exploring every measure to ensure these cheaters are removed and stay removed from Fortnite Battle Royale and the Epic ecosystem. We don’t want to give too many clues about what we’re doing, but we are rolling out tools and will continue to do so. Thousands have been banned and we have no plans to stop!

Note that he says it’s ongoing. The sad reality is every time Epic Games implements a new way to thwart cheating the Fortnite communities’ bad apples eventually figure out how to get around it.

In 2022 Epic rolled out new anti-cheat software called Byfron. And it made tampering with the game harder than ever.

Soon after, hackers voiced their irritation in a Discord server when it prevented them from accessing the game entirely:

“FN will be down for a while. Fortnite after three years has decided to add s**t that will make it hard to cheat,” one hacker said. “They have greatly protected things that we need to make a cheat.”
“Before this update nothing was protected, now everything is.”

Epic is now protecting Fortnite with three layers of anti-cheat software: EasyAntiCheat, Battle Eye, and Byfron.

Detecting the Cheaters

One of Epic’s latest moves is to remove players that use tools to conceal or alter their device’s hardware IDs. These hardware IDs are used to track the parts of a computer a player uses with Epic Games. Thus, anybody hiding it is in almost all cases banned from Fortnite or is up to no good.

Unfortunately, soft hacks are being replaced with hardware hacks to avoid being detected in the first place.

Some players are now using a device called Cronus Zen. It’s a new, advanced take on those old SNES controllers with turbo buttons. It acts as an emulator that can run custom mods for game controllers. The mods improve building and take aim assist to the next level.

Protecting Yourself with a VPN in Fortnite

Using a VPN is an effective way to preserve your online privacy and protect yourself from malicious players. It hides your IP address and by doing so it eliminates the possibility of other players using tools to find it.

The catch is Epic Games doesn’t recommend using a VPN in Fortnite. This is because players with banned IP addresses use VPNs to access the game.

You could get this popup message from Epic Games if you have a VPN enabled, “You were removed from the match due to internet lag, your IP or machine, VPN usage, or for cheating. We recommend not utilizing VPN or proxy services while attempting to play Fortnite.”

For many, the benefits outweigh the possibility of getting removed from matches. See LetMeBy’s reviews of the top VPNs to learn more.

Conclusion

Online multiplayer games will always have cheaters. They’ve been around since the early days in games like Doom and Unreal Tournament.

They’ve infested plenty of titles over the years such as the multiplayer in old versions of Call of Duty. Epic Games has a monumental task on its hands. But they’ll be willing to keep it up as long as Fortnite is a cash cow for Epic.