Steam Unlocked: Is it Really Safe?
If you haven’t heard of it yet, Steam Unlocked is a website that gives gamers free access to several digital PC games. You can download and play without paying a penny. But “free”…usually has a catch. Is Steam Unlocked safe? We’ll cover the answer to that, plus any safeguards you should have if you do choose to use the site, such as a VPN.
Editor's Pick December 2024
What is Steam Unlocked?
The way the site works is by legally obtaining the games and then removing the DRM (Digital Rights Management) protections. This allows the games to be available for gamers without the need for purchasing or activation keys/codes, etc. Players can simply download them for free. It has, unsurprisingly, become immensely popular for PC gamers. The massive library of available games at the low, low price of zero is a huge draw.
Can I use Steam Unlocked?
So, is unlocked steam safe for users to download from? It depends…First, there are some gotchas you should be aware of. For one, the legality of Steam Unlocked is pretty gray. More like…really, really dark gray. The legal digital rights have been illegally removed so make of that what you will, keeping in mind that it is denying the hardworking developers of the video gaming industry compensation for their work.
Another gotcha is that there are a lot of poser sites who pretend to be the real Steam Unlocked. The fact that you’re downloading files to your computer makes you a big target for malware, and copycat sites know this. Be absolutely certain that you’re going to the real Steam Unlocked. Otherwise, who knows what you’re installing on your computer…
Some tips to help you tell if you’re on the WRONG site:
- If you see ads, that’s a bad sign. There shouldn’t be ads except one redirect that happens when you download a game (usually from UploadHaven)
- Prompting you for personal information. The real Steam Unlocked doesn’t ask you for any info or even have a sign-up option
- Changes to the website address, such as adding additional words, symbols, or other variations. It should just be SteamUnlocked.net. That’s it. Don’t fall for sites that use the same logo either
How to Protect Yourself on Steam with a VPN
Is Steam Unlocked safe to use? That depends on you. If you are computer savvy, have good antivirus protections in place and know when something looks fishy, you have a pretty good chance of avoiding problems. Another protection we recommend is using a VPN.
Because you’re kinda, sorta, technically illegally downloading these games, it may not be a bad idea to be as anonymous about it as you can be. Depending on the country you live in, Steam Unlocked may be a banned site too, which is all the more reason to take precautions.
A VPN encrypts and redirects your internet traffic, helping hide your online activities from your ISP (internet service provider). It also hides your data and location, giving you greater privacy. The best VPN providers have lots of other extra features to further enhance your online anonymity. We’ve chosen our top 3 recommended VPNs for you to peruse, ones that should specifically be useful for using Steam Unlocked.
Best VPNs for Steam
Here are our favorite VPNs, as well as a quick overview of their best features and extras, focusing specifically on their uses for free PC gaming.
NordVPN
There’s a reason you’ll find NordVPN at the top of VPN lists, over and over and over. They’re simply one of the very best contenders on the market. Here’s what we love:
Their Threat Protection Pro antivirus tool is exactly what gamers who use Steam Unblocked would need. It notifies you if you’re about to enter a known malicious site, which is perfect for avoiding those copycat Steam Unblocked sites. It also checks any downloads for viruses and removes these files before they can cause any trouble.
With over 6600 servers in 111 countries, you have thousands of options to help you get the fastest and most secure connection possible. The best part is it doesn’t sacrifice speed for security, letting you enjoy both crucial aspects of this VPN, effortlessly.
Extra security protections such as:
- Double VPN feature
- Kill switch to maintain your privacy even when your connection drops unexpectedly
- Split tunneling
- Private DNS
- No-logs policy
Luckily, NordVPN has a 30-day money back guarantee, so if you want to see just how good it is at dealing with Steam Unlocked, you have plenty of time to test it out.
Surfshark
Surfshark is another of our favorites for both VPN and security features. It is a strong contender to NordVPN, and is usually a little less expensive. Surfshark also has a 30-day money back guarantee, which makes it a low-stakes way to try before you buy. Here are some of our favorite features that make Surfshark well suited to using Steam Unlocked:
Strong VPN specific capabilities, such as:
- Industry-leading encryption levels to protect your internet traffic
- Unlimited simultaneous connections so you can use it with all of your devices
- Over 3200 servers across the globe
- No-logs policy to protect your privacy
- Some of the fastest speeds of any VPN services
Our favorite security features for Surfshark make it particularly well-suited for keeping you safe while downloading free games. Here are the ones that stand out:
- VPN protocols like WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN
- Uses the cybersecurity standard encryption protocol, AES-256 to give government level encryption protections
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
- Obfuscation
- DNS leak protection
Like NordVPN, Surfshark has an antivirus product you can subscribe to in addition to the VPN. When you’re downloading anything that could be remotely suspicious, a good antivirus is a must, especially if you accidentally click on a malicious copycat site. Here’s what Surfshark’s is capable of:
- Fully customizable antivirus
- Webcam protections
- Checks downloads, apps, and files for malware and adware
- Doesn’t bog down CPU, RAM, or slow down your system
- Frequently updated so it can catch zero-day threats
- Data breach alerts
ExpressVPN
Our final VPN recommendation is hot on the heels of the first two. ExpressVPN has a lot of the same strengths. 30-day money back guarantee, lightning speeds, wide global network of servers, etc. Here are some other VPN-focused features that will help keep your browsing activity anonymous:
- Works on all platforms
- No-logs policy
- Up to 8 simultaneous connections
- Privacy and encryption features
- Gaming specific features like console compatibility, lag minimization, and the ability to play multiplayer across the world
Next, on to security. The whole point of a VPN is to encrypt and protect your browsing activities. Here is what ExpressVPN brings to the table:
- Third-party no-logs audit
- AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with 256-bit keys
- Strong VPN protocols, including IKEv2, OpenVPN and Lightway
- HMAC authentication
- Post-quantum protection
While not as extensive as the antivirus options the other VPNs on our list have, ExpressVPN does have a Threat Manager feature that’s definitely helpful for minimizing risks to your PC. Here’s what it can do:
- DNS traffic blocker that blocks known malicious sites
- There are also ad blocker settings within the app
- Blocklist is updated regularly to stay on top of new threats
- Blockers also prevent ads and tracking
- These features are natively available within ExpressVPN’s app, no need to pay extra
Final Verdict – Steam is Safe With a VPN
Is Steam Unlocked safe? It can be if you’re careful and choose a VPN that not only protects your privacy, but also has some kind of antivirus protections as well. That way, you stay anonymous but you’re also better protected, especially because Steam Unlocked copycats are getting craftier by the day. When in doubt, look at tech forums for the latest scams and malicious websites. One thing the gaming community does is look out for each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Steam unlocked illegal?
Technically, yes. It is a violation of legal copyright laws because it is illegally distributing content and basically providing a way to pirate video games without paying the people who worked on them.
This is, unfortunately, not much of a deterrent for many gamers. Free is the only word they care about, and though it’s understandable with the way everyone has been gouged by inflation and the wretched economy, it is still illegal. Some gamers defend this by saying they’re just using the site as a way to try a game before buying it, which at least is a little more understandable.
In the end, people will do what they want. Now you have the knowledge to at least do it safely. That said, if you do decide to pursue Steam Unlocked, perhaps at least consider not targeting Indie games? These are usually far more affordable to legitimately buy and they are often made as passion projects by independent developers who sacrifice time and effort without the huge financial backing of the major gaming companies. Most of the time they don’t have much money and what little they would have made from a game they worked years on, is taken from them.
Punch up, not down, as they say.
Or maybe don’t “punch” anyone at all.
What is SteamUnlocked Pro?
Is Steam Unlocked safe? Yes. Is Steam Unlocked Pro safe? No! This is a copycat site so stay far away so you don’t download anything malicious.
What are SteamUnlocked alternatives?
There are similar free PC game sites, like Gogunlocked, but you will run across the same dangers of copycat sites, possible malware, and illegal piracy. If you want a legitimate alternative to Steam Unlocked, there are plenty of pay to use options. If you are patient, you can actually get some alarmingly good deals on popular titles as many of these platforms have frequent sales. Here are our top choices:
- PlayStation Store (keep an eye out for screaming deals, they do happen)
- NintendoSwitch Store
- Epic Games Store
- Steam (the real one)
- GOG.com (best for retro games)
- Humble Bundle
- Itch.io (great for obscure indie)
- GameFly (old school physical video game rentals!)