One of the best things about a good internet connection is the joy of online streaming. Amazon’s Firestick is one of the most popular streaming devices. It lets you stream an endless variety of content. Millions of Firestick users install free media players like Kodi. It gives them access to content that isn’t supported by the device.
However, your online activities on Firestick are also visible to your ISP. It reduces your privacy online. Moreover, if you cannot view geo-restricted content when using Firestick by itself. A VPN resolves all these problems. It masks your IP address, boosts privacy, and enhances your streaming experience.
If you are wondering do I need a VPN for Firestick, this post will give you the right answer.
Reasons You Need a VPN For Firestick
Accessibility to apps and securing your online activities are two major reasons to use a VPN. Here’s why you need a VPN for Firestick.
1. Bypass geo-restrictions
Many applications are geo-restricted. It means that they are accessible only to certain regions. You can bypass these restrictions through a VPN. If you have Kodi installed on your Firestick, it will offer you greater access to content.
So it might come to you mind what is Geo-blocking? To explain this, geo-blocking refers to the practice of restricting access to an online resource by considering the apparent location of the system or user trying to reach that resource.
However, due to geoblocking, your Kodi experience on Firestick can be limited.
Geoblocking rules limit the addons for shows and movies you can install on Kodi. Some examples of these channels are HBO, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and CBS. You can use a VPN and bypass these geo-restriction rules.
VPN providers dedicate a considerable part of their server network to make content accessible from anywhere. So, if you want to watch movies available solely for select countries on your Firestick, a VPN will help you do that.
2. Online privacy
To stream movies on Firestick, you need to connect to the internet. This, in turn, exposes your online activity to your ISP. Moreover, what you do online is also visible to government agencies and even hackers. A VPN encrypts your location and personal data. It thus prevents your online activity from being seen. That’s why the answer to the question, do I need a VPN for Firestick? is always a big yes.
VPNs like ExpressVPN come with a Threat Manager. It prevents your Firestick from communicating with the server on this VPN block list. If you use Kodi, you might have installed various addons. Many of them are developed by third parties. They lack sufficient security. So, you become vulnerable to several online threats. VPNs hide your IP and protect your data from various types of digital threats.
3. Protection from Hackers
Kodi on Firestick offers a wealth of content options. However, you should always remember that it is ultimately an open-source platform. So, it’s easy for hackers to use it to access your private data. Kodi, when used with a VPN, safeguards your identity. It encrypts your connection. Thus, you stay secure while using Kodi. It prevents hackers from attacking your network.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the addons on Kodi are created and distributed by anonymous third parties. So, it is critical to exercise protection against privacy violations. A VPN is essential to not become a victim of the security vulnerabilities on Kodi.
4. Prevent your ISP from slowing your connection speed
Internet service providers can intentionally reduce your connection speed to handle network congestion. They decide whose connection to throttle is according to the user’s online activities. If you use the internet heavily, you’ll be the first one whose connection speed may slow down.
So, for example, if you engage in gaming or 4K streaming, your connection will be the first to go down. It’s the only way by which your ISP can keep up with the demands of the bandwidth. Not only that, but your ISP can also throttle particular kinds of content.
But a VPN masks your online activities. Your ISP cannot see what exactly you are doing online. Since they don’t know about your internet information, they cannot throttle your connection speed.
Best VPNs to Use With Kodi on Firestick
Now you know the exact answer to ‘Do I need a VPN for Firestick? ‘ You certainly do need it to access geo-restricted content and protect your privacy. If you spend a lot of time using Kodi on your Firestick, you must pick a suitable VPN according to your needs.
The top VPN options for Kodi users offer superior encryption and come with no log policy. They also do not affect your internet speed drastically. These VPNs are compatible with multiple devices. You can even access torrent sites with them. The best part is that they have the kill switch feature. This shields you against IP address leaks if VPN connection drops.
Here’s a list of VPNs that offer all these features.
- ExpressVPN, the quickest and most secure VPN
- IPVanish, a budget-friendly and reliable VPN
- Private Internet Access, a fast VPN with dedicated apps for different Kodi-compatible devices
- CyberGhost, an easy-to-install VPN on Firestick, Android, Windows, and iOS
- Surfshark, a VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connections
Summing up
You can minimize online security and privacy issues significantly with a VPN. It lets you access content from different countries and safeguard you while you browse. People usually use many free streaming applications on Firestick. Kodi is one hugely popular app. However, using it without a VPN increases your chances of being attacked online. A VPN keeps you protected at all times.