Discord is a message-based social platform that allows you to chat with friends, or strangers with similar interests. Users can stream, message, or make voice and video calls as part of public or private communities called “servers”, or in private DMs.
The app is popular among the gaming community due to its ability to host calls with mass amounts of players. It also allows players to stream their games within closed communities. New gamers can find people to play with one Discord due to the ease at which members can find like-minded players in public servers.
Students can log into Discord with their university email addresses and join servers that allow them to socialise with people from the same university. Discord is also used for people to chat with native-speakers of the language they want to practise.
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Discord has recently grown in popularity. People have started using it with friends and family, for example hosting ‘watch parties’ of popular shows and films using the streaming feature. However, as its popularity has grown, so have the number of criminals hoping to take advantage of Discord’s vulnerabilities.
Beyond basic safety, VPNs can be useful for people who would otherwise not have access to Discord. The app is banned in various countries, meaning you would need to change your IP address in order to use it, which can be done using a VPN.
Paid VPNs are a safer bet than free ones, who might be making money by selling your data to third parties. If you are unsure which VPN to use with Discord, check out TechRound’s guide of the very best VPNs so you can start using Discord safely.
Is Discord Safe?
Discord is somewhat safe, but there are still significant vulnerabilities. Discord does not use end-to-end encryption. It uses transport layer security (TLS) encryption, which encrypts the message in transit. However, this is the extent of Discord’s security.
What this means is that Discord, and anyone who may hack their systems, can view your activity and personal information. This makes Discord one of the less secure social media chat platforms, with apps like Telegram being more secure.
Without a VPN, Discord users are at risk of cyberattacks. As Discord often encourages conversations with strangers, many of its users have been the victim of cyberstalking.
The most common scams on Discord are:
- Having your personal information stolen
- Having your account taken over and used for spam
- Having your gaming accounts taken over
Discord’s privacy policy requires your IP address and device ID to be recorded. This means that hackers can find your location and device ID instantly upon invading Discord’s hosting servers. Hackers have used Discord to find people’s addresses, full names, and work contact numbers. This information has also been used for extortion.
However, with a VPN, users can safely enjoy Discord without worrying about these sorts of attacks.
Does Discord Work Properly When Using a VPN?
Yes. Discord will work exactly as it did before, with no limitations. The only thing that might be affected is the connection speed.
Some VPNs will end up giving you slower connection speeds, which might result in message delays, or some instances of your voice calls dropping. This is why you should spend some time choosing the best VPN for your needs.
Where Is Discord Banned?
Discord is banned in numerous countries, but users can get around this ban by using a good VPN. However, in some countries it is illegal to use a VPN to access Discord, for example the UAE.
Countries where Discord is banned are:
- Oman
- Iran
- Egypt
- Mainland China
- United Arab Emirates
- North Korea
Many of these countries have banned Discord because the app is seen as a threat to their robust censorship policies, as users are able to join international servers and exchange information and ideas.
How Do You Use a VPN with Discord?
Register an account with your chosen VPN service, and purchase the VPN subscription that works best for your needs. If you are using a Mac, you will need to download a specific Mac version of some VPNs, so check beforehand.
Next, run the installer, and launch your VPN. Select which country you wish to connect to, avoiding those listed above, where Discord is banned. Then turn your VPN on. You can now launch Discord as usual and use it securely.
How Do You Use a VPN with Discord on a Mobile Phone?
Purchase your VPN from the app store and pay for a subscription. Create an account, log on, and select which location you would like to connect to, just as you would on a personal computer. After this, you can safely launch the Discord app.
Compare VPNs With TechRound
| Name | Price | Offer | Claim Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
Surfshark | £1.69 per month | 30-day money-back guarantee + 3 months extra | Get Deal >> |
| CyberGhost | £1.99 per month | 45-day money-back guarantee | Get Deal >> |
| Private Internet Access | £2.19 per month | 30-day money-back guarantee | Get Deal >> |
Will Using a VPN Let Me Use Discord with a Discord Ban?
Yes. Banned discord users are monitored using IP bans. This means that if you were banned from discord using your home’s internet, you will not be able to access the app.
However, a VPN will allow you to create a new account and allow you to access Discord again. You should not try to use a VPN with your old account, which will be locked. However, you should be able to make a new one with a different username.
Although you can make the choice to keep your old username, this will just make you a target for another ban. This is not recommended.
