If you're a regular binge-watcher or use your television for an assortment of entertainment options, having a virtual private network installed is a smart move if you want to keep your information private. Putting a VPN to use on your Smart TV isn't as involved as it sounds. To further assist in making things easy to set up, there are a variety of devices available to get you up and running in no time.
Maintaining the security of your personal information is critical, but that's not the only thing a VPN can help with. Instead of running into TV shows and movies you cannot watch due to regional restrictions, a virtual private network can help get you past content blocks which will make a wide assortment of content from all over the world available to watch and enjoy.
We've gone ahead and highlighted five user-friendly devices that will let you stream your favorite movies and shows while using a VPN. If you aren't sure which VPN is the right option for you, check out our picks for the best VPNs.
Amazon Fire TV Sticks can be as cheap as $30, are easy to set up on your TV, and are one of the simplest ways to stream TV with a third-party VPN app.
Once you've plugged your Fire Stick into your TV and followed the on-screen setup, you can download apps for some of CNET's best VPNs for Fire Sticks, like Surfshark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN. If you don't subscribe to any of those VPN services, no worries. Each offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try each one risk-free until you find the right one for you.
Here's how to download a VPN app onto your Fire Stick.
1. Open your Fire Stick on your TV.
2. Open the Amazon Appstore app.
3. Open Search.
4. Type in the name of the VPN you want to download.
5. Click Get.
After you've downloaded a VPN app onto your Fire Stick, go back to your home screen to open the app and log in to your account. Then, you can connect to a VPN server in the country or region where you want to unlock specific content, or you can connect to a local VPN server for better private streaming speeds. After connecting to a VPN server, you're all set to securely watch shows and movies in privacy.
Amazon Fire TVs
Amazon Fire TVs come built-in with all the same capabilities as a Fire Stick, meaning you get all the same features without having to use a precious HDMI slot. Even the Fire TV's interface is the same as the Fire Stick. To use a VPN through a Fire TV, follow the same steps as above to download a third-party VPN app, log in to your account, connect to the VPN server you want to use and start streaming TV.
However, Fire TVs can cost between $370 and $1,100. Buying a Fire TV to stream shows and movies through a VPN is like buying a new car because you want a new paint job. If your TV works and it can use a Fire Stick, save yourself the money and buy a Fire Stick. If you're in the market for a new TV, and you want to use a VPN to stream content, consider a Fire TV to upgrade your streaming experience.
Chromecast with Google TV, like the Fire Stick, is another easy-to-use device that lets you stream TV through a third-party VPN app for around $40.
After you've plugged your Chromecast with Google TV into your TV and followed the setup instructions, you can download most VPN apps, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, onto your device. If you don't have a subscription to a VPN service, most offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try them out risk-free until you find one you're happy with.
Here's how to download most third-party VPN apps onto your Chromecast with Google TV.
1. On your Chromecast device, go to the Apps tab.
2. Select Search for app under App categories.
3. Type in the name of the VPN app you want to download.
4. Select Install.
After installing your VPN app, open it from your Chromecast with Google TV's home screen and log in to your account. Then, connect to a VPN server in the country or region you want to unlock content from. You can also connect to a local VPN server for better private streaming speeds. After that, you're set to securely watch shows and movies.
Provides whole-home VPN protection
ExpressVPN's Aircove router
ExpressVPN's Aircove router costs less than $200, and it allows you to run all your internet traffic through a VPN, not just your TV. The router has built-in VPN protection and a range of 1,600 square feet, and it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. These unlimited connections can be organized into up to five different groups, so if you live with four other people, each person in your house can be connected to a different server location at the same time.
You do need an ExpressVPN account to use the router's VPN capabilities. That means you'll have to switch to ExpressVPN if you have an account with another VPN service. You'll also need to use your laptop or smartphoneto set up your router. That makes setup on the Aircove slightly more complicated than the Fire Stick and Fire TV, which you can simply plug in and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once you've finished the Aircove's initial setup, you've thrown a blanket of protection over all the internet traffic that runs through the router, which makes it a good option for people looking to run other devices at home through a VPN.
Apple TV 4K starts at $129, so it's not the cheapest device on this list, but if you already have the device you can use some third-party VPN apps on it with TVOS 17. Apple announced in the follow-up to itsWWDCkeynote thatTVOS 17 would support third-party VPN apps.
To download a third-party VPN app to your Apple TV, you have to first update your device to TVOS 17. Then, go to the TVOS App Store on your TV, search for your VPN
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Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article:
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology that allows you to create a secure connection over a public network, such as the internet. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, masking your IP address and providing you with a secure and private browsing experience. VPNs are commonly used to protect personal information, bypass regional restrictions, and enhance online privacy.
Amazon Fire TV Sticks
Amazon Fire TV Sticks are affordable devices that can be connected to your TV's HDMI port, allowing you to stream content from various online platforms. They offer a user-friendly interface and support third-party VPN apps. By installing a VPN app on your Fire Stick, you can secure your internet connection and access geo-restricted content. Popular VPN options for Fire Sticks include Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN.
Amazon Fire TVs
Amazon Fire TVs are similar to Fire Sticks but come built-in with the same capabilities. They offer the same features and interface as Fire Sticks but do not require an additional HDMI slot. While Fire TVs can be more expensive than Fire Sticks, they provide an upgraded streaming experience. To use a VPN on a Fire TV, you can follow the same steps as with a Fire Stick, including downloading a third-party VPN app and connecting to a VPN server.
Chromecast with Google TV
Chromecast with Google TV is another device that allows you to stream content on your TV. It supports third-party VPN apps and can be set up easily. By connecting a Chromecast with Google TV to your TV and downloading a VPN app, such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, you can secure your streaming activities and access content from different regions.
ExpressVPN's Aircove Router
ExpressVPN's Aircove router is a router that offers built-in VPN protection. It allows you to route all your internet traffic through a VPN, providing whole-home VPN protection. The Aircove router has a range of 1,600 square feet and supports unlimited simultaneous connections. It requires an ExpressVPN account and initial setup using a laptop or smartphone. This router is suitable for those who want to run multiple devices at home through a VPN.
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K is a streaming device that allows you to watch movies, TV shows, and other content on your TV. With the release of TVOS 17, Apple TV now supports third-party VPN apps. To use a VPN on Apple TV, you need to update your device to TVOS 17 and download a third-party VPN app from the TVOS App Store.
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