The Amazon Fire TV Stick lets you enjoy your favorite TV shows that you wouldn’t usually find on your TV cable. The FireStick can hold all your shows and you can take it with you anywhere you go. All you would need is a compatible TV if you are on vacation, and you’re set to go!
The Fire TV stick comes pre-registered to your account if you have Amazon Prime. Just plug it in your TV HDMI port. However, with all the fun, some disadvantages come with the FireStick.
For example, you might need a good internet connection when traveling. Public WiFi isn’t the safest option, even when it comes to the hotel internet. Apart from this, there are some settings on your Amazon account that you might need to change to have some privacy, and your FireStick can also be hacked. So what can you do to prevent this? Use a VPN!
The Advantages of Using VPN with Amazon Firestick
A VPN is a virtual private network, and you can use it to encrypt your online data. The Amazon Firestick is an online video streaming device, after all. It can turn any regular TV into a “smart TV.”
The Fire TV software is built on the Android OS, but it has an Amazon twist. Though it can’t operate Android apps, it is susceptible to various malware and viruses, just like the Android OS. Apart from the fact that the Firestick works on an online connection, it also has some default settings that make you a potential target for hackers.
Firestick TVs monitor the user’s data to enhance content preferences. These trackers collect information about you, your viewing habits, and preferences. Bad actors usually highly prize such information since it can be sold online to third parties. According to a report conducted by the University of Chicago and Princeton University, about 89% of the channels provided by Fire TV contain online trackers.
These trackers collect personal information such as serial numbers, IDs, WiFi networks, MAC addresses, and others. Millions of Pluto TV users recently leaked their data in one recent online breach.
However, with a VPN for Firestick, you can protect yourself from such cyberattacks. As mentioned above, a VPN encrypts your online data. Here are some other advantages:
Accessing Geo-Restricted Content
Though there are plenty of shows you can access with your Amazon Firestick, in combination with a VPN service, you can access shows that might not be available in your country. Pick a VPN provider and see what countries they can provide a network from.
You can instantly change your geo-location with a VPN to access any show, music, or video games that might not be available with your Firestick. This is especially useful if you are traveling to other countries, and you might not have access to the content from your own country.
Securing Connections
Everyone loves to travel, and a critical element while traveling is safety. You have to rely on unsecured public WiFi connections to enjoy your Amazon Firestick when you travel. However, with a VPN, you can turn any connection into a secure one, allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of your Firestick without worrying about data breaches.
It’s not just your Firestick that will become safe. It’s everything on your smartphone or laptop. If you are a digital nomad or simply have some work to do while traveling, you are just one click away from securing a VPN connection.
Secure Multiple Devices
A VPN is not something you can only use on one device, such as your TV Firestick. You can also benefit from its numerous cybersecurity advantages on any device that requires an internet connection. You can connect your smartphone, TV, laptop, PC, anything!
Faster Connections
In some instances, a VPN can provide you with a faster internet connection than your public WiFi. Say, for example, you want to play a video game on your Firestick. You can use your VPN to connect to a geo-location closer to the game’s main servers and benefit from faster connection speeds.
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