Yes, Steam Unlocked is safe if you make sure you still prioritize your safety when downloading. You should be alright if you download games from the site if you use added layers of protection.
However, beware that your internet service provider (ISP) can track any website you visit if you don’t use a VPN when browsing. With this, accessing a website like Steam Unlocked should be done cautiously.
However, there are many things to consider when using this site. Read on to learn more.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Steam Unlocked is a popular gaming platform for downloading PC games without spending.
- The platform is not legal and lacks the licenses to distribute copyrighted content.
- You should only download from steamunlocked.net and avoid copycat sites.
- Using a VPN helps increase your online security while browsing Steam Unlocked.
- Our top VPN picks for Steam Unlocked are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark
What is Steam Unlocked?
If you’re one of the 3.09 billion gamers worldwide, chances are you’ve already heard of Steam Unlocked.
Steam Unlocked is a gaming platform that lets you download thousands of pre-installed PC games for free. Games are continuously added as more requests line up on their game requests section.
The only legitimate web address for Steam Unlocked is steamunlocked.net. They are not using any mirror sites.
🔒 Security Note
If you ever land on a site named SteamUnlock or any other similar names, you’re in the wrong place. Copycat sites host malware and lead to phishing attacks, taking advantage of Steam Unlocked’s popularity.
Here’s how to tell if you landed on a Steam Unlocked copycat website:
- Asking you to sign up or provide personal information: The real Steam Unlocked website will let you download without signing up. It doesn’t even have a sign-up button.
- Too many ads: The actual Steam Unlocked website doesn’t contain ads except for the single redirect when downloading a game. This redirect is mainly from UploadHaven, not from Steam Unlocked itself.
- Has a website address other than SteamUnlocked.net: Sites like SteamUnlocked.pro, SteamUnlocked.to, and many others are all copycat websites.
Steam Unlocked Safety
With the global gaming market expected to reach more than 256.97 billion by 2025, it’s no wonder Steam Unlocked is getting traction. However, popularity doesn’t always guarantee 100% safety.
The site admins claim they check game files on their own computers before release. Moreover, they report that everyone can rest assured that games on the platform are free from viruses and malware.
While this claim can’t be completely verified in all titles, very few have reported that they got malware from the downloaded games.
Steam Unlocked also advised that cracked game files are bound to be flagged maliciously by anti-viruses because that’s how they were created.
Whatever the case, use this site with caution and always protect yourself with a VPN or anti-virus.
⚠️ Warning
If your computer is slowing down, or if you’re getting repetitive ads from out of nowhere, you might have a device infected by malware. Check out our guide to get rid of pesky malware and viruses.
Is Steam Unlocked Legit?
It is not. Most of the games are copyrighted titles distributed illegally,
The site itself is unrelated to Valve Corporation’s Steam, the largest and most popular distributor of games worldwide. They don’t have distribution rights, so it’s a piracy platform.
Scene groups crack the games here, then “pre-installed” by Steam Unlocked. You may encounter compatibility issues as the games are mostly not updated.
If you want a compatible game with developer support, buy from legitimate distributors like Steam.
💡Did You Know?
The US leads the top spot for online piracy, with 12.5 billion visits to piracy sites in 2020 alone.
Using VPN While Accessing Steam Unlocked
The Steam Unlocked admins claim they are not profiting from the website. There’s no donation channel, and the site has no ads. Even if it’s true, distributing copyrighted materials is illegal in most countries, with or without profit.
You may run into trouble by illegally downloading copyrighted materials, so it is highly recommended that you use a VPN when accessing Steam Unlocked.
It is also possible that the site is banned in your area. With this, you may need an IP address in a country that allows access to this site.
Best VPNs to Use Steam Unlocked Safely
Here’s a list of VPNs that can give you enough protection when accessing free download websites such as Steam Unlocked:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is a fast and reliable VPN that lets you access StreamUnlocked without worries. It has servers in more than 60 countries. This gives you many options in case Steam Unlocked is banned in your country.
💳 Subscription Price: $3.99 monthly (Standard)
| Notable Features: | |
| Has 5500 servers in 62 countries 256-bit encryption Has kill switch 30-day moneyback guarantee | Double VPN Anti-malware and adblocking No-log policy |
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is fast and secure, with military-grade 256-bit AES. It’s a bit more pricey, but you can rely on its speed when downloading large files from StreamUnlocked.
💳 Subscription Price: $8.32 per month (1-year Plan)
| Notable Features: | |
| Has 3000+ servers in 160 Locations 5 simultaneous connections 30-day moneyback guarantee | 24/7 customer support Split-tunneling Strict no logs |
3. SurfShark
SurfShark is a budget VPN but can give you enough protection when browsing StreamUnlocked. Its main advantage is having unlimited simultaneous device connections. It is a multi-purpose VPN you can share with your family and friends.
💳 Subscription Price: $2.30 monthly (2-year Plan)
| Notable Features: | |
| 3200+ servers in 65 countries Protection against IP or DNS leak Unlimited connections | No log policy Kill switch |
Join the 1.6 billion VPN users globally, to be able to have a great online experience in downloading thousands of pre-installed PC games freely.
If you’re ever unhappy with Steam Unlocked, there are still plenty of other alternatives on the web. Just use the VPNs above to download the latest games seamlessly while hiding your IP address.
👍 Helpful Articles
Interested in gaming? Check out these cool articles for you! Using Steam on Mac Video Games: Pros and Cons
The Takeaways
Steam Unlocked is safe, but it’s not a legitimate place to get your favorite games. Being a highly popular site, Steam Unlocked usually gets heavy traffic from users making the downloads painfully slow.
Not all files are verified to be malware-free, so protect yourself with a VPN to save yourself from legal and cybersecurity troubles.
FAQs
Is it legal to download from Steam Unlocked?
No, at least in most countries. Some countries, like Spain and Switzerland, allow downloading copyrighted materials for personal use. Some don’t even have copyright laws, like Somalia and the Marshall Islands. Read up on your country’s digital copyright laws to know the specifics.
Is Steam Unlocked safe from viruses?
The site itself is safe. No ads and ridiculous redirects. Everything is straightforward. It is also most talked about in gaming forums to have safe game files. Better to remain cautious as those testimonials were only for the files they downloaded, not for the whole library.
Will Steam detect pirated games?
No. Steam is not checking or verifying files outside of its program. They don’t have the right to do so. Checking everything you download from other sources can be considered a breach of privacy.
Timeline Of The Article
-> Published on: 21-04-2023
-> V1 – User Suggested Edits: 12-06-2023
-> Benefited Readers – 20,041 and Counting
By Jalluri Sirisha
Sirisha is a networking enthusiast with a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering. She has developed a keen interest in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and has gone the extra mile to gain firsthand experience and knowledge.
