VPN is an abbreviation for the virtual private networks. If you use the internet, then you need to have one. Something that a lot of people who are familiar with VPNs don’t know is that it is possible to download a VPN on their smart TV. Most people just think that VPNs are for mobile devices and computers, but this couldn’t be any further from the truth. Literally, any device that is connected to the internet can have a VPN activated on it.
This post will tell you why your smart TV needs a VPN, and how you can install one.
TV Type
If you own an Android television, then downloading a VPN will be easy, because Android-based TVs support them. If you own a Samsung TV on the other hand, then you will have a few problems, because Samsung’s operating system doesn’t support the use of VPNs. Fortunately, installing a VPN on a Samsung TV isn’t impossible. The first thing that you will need to do is to find the perfect VPN for Samsung Smart TV, then read online guides explaining in great detail how they are installed and run. While the process can be a bit complex when you are trying to run VPNs on televisions whose operating systems don’t support them, the benefits outweigh the time that you will have to invest in installing and running your TV’s VPN.
VPN Installation
There are different ways of installing VPNs on smart televisions, although the most common goes as follows: first, you need to install a VPN on your laptop or PC. Once you have installed a VPN on your laptop or PC, you can go ahead and type ‘mobile hotspot settings’ into your computer’s search bar. Then, activate your computer’s mobile hotspot by changing the switch from off to on. Once you have created your hotspot, activate your VPN, and then connect your smart TV to your computer’s hotspot. Once you have followed these steps, your smart TV will be connected.
Why Use A VPN?
Geo-blocked Content
The main reason that people use VPNs on their smart televisions is so that they can access geographically-blocked content. Geographically-blocked content is content that has been restricted according to a person’s geographic location. For example, streaming services in America might not have licenses to specific movies, but the same streaming service in Australia may have the licenses. This means that on this platform’s Australian platform there will be films and media content that isn’t available on the American platform. By connecting to a VPN, you can change your location and access this restricted content.
Extra Security
In addition to giving people the opportunity to change their location and watch media content that’s available on international streaming platforms, VPNs also give people an extra layer of security. The internet’s a very dangerous place. Unfortunately, hackers are so advanced now that they are able to hack a person’s smart TV and take their personal and financial information, which they can then use for fraud. In the past, hacking smart TVs was almost impossible. The same was also true for mobile devices, but now they are both hacked on a regular basis. A VPN can prevent hacks from occurring.
Data Privacy
The idea of being watched by one’s ISP (‘Internet Service Provider’) is somewhat uncomfortable. Something you might not know then is that this is extremely common. The chances are that if you aren’t using a VPN to read this, you will be being watched right now. Your ISP can also monitor what you are doing when you are using your smart TV, which means that they can check what you are watching and what pages you have visited. Unless you are doing something illegal, there’s nothing to worry about in terms of getting into trouble, but it is still very disconcerting to know that your every move is being tracked. A VPN will stop your ISP from being able to monitor you, restoring your data privacy.
App Monitoring
Lastly, you should also know that your ISP isn’t the only thing that’s monitoring you. It’s highly likely that the applications that you have downloaded on your device are monitoring you as well. If your applications are able to monitor you, then they can target you with advertisements. They will be able to do this because they will pick up on the type of content that you watch, and then, begin advertising the same content to you. Some people like this, while others don’t. A VPN can prevent apps from being able to do this, meaning you won’t receive targeted advertisements.
If you own a smart TV, then it’s a very good idea to install a VPN. The VPN installation process is extremely straightforward, although varies depending upon the type of television that’s being used.
