You may have USAheard that you should get a VPN — a virtual private network — for your Firestick, but you aren’t too sure what it is or what it can do for you. The short answer to both questions is that it's a way to conceal which data you send or receive with your Firestick, but here's a more complete answer:
In the context of a Firestick, or any gadget, a VPN is a simple piece of software that encrypts your data before it reaches your internet provider, then routes it through one of its own servers for added security and privacy.
You can think of using the internet normally as kind of like shipping packages in clear plastic containers marked with your IP address rather than your mailing address.
SEE ALSO: What channels are on Amazon's Fire TV StickYour internet service provider (ISP) is like the postal service, so they’re responsible for delivering the packages you send to the right places, and getting packages from others to you. In theory, they shouldn’t care too much about what’s inside each package, but you still might not like the idea of someone knowing what you’re up to.
A VPN is like an intermediary shipping service.
When you send packages, a VPN puts them in secure containers, and ships them with their IP addresses on them instead of yours, and they make sure the recipients know what to do with them when they get there. Then, when you get packages back, the VPN provider again obscures their contents and receives them for you, delivering them to your door, where you (automatically) use a special key to open them.
In this way, VPNs protect your data from prying eyes, making it impossible to trace back to your network.
One of the main benefits of a Firestick is easy access to apps like Netflix and Hulu, but these and other apps often have geo-restricted content due to licensing and copyright issues. If they detect that your IP address is outside of a certain area, they won’t let you watch the shows, movies, and live streams you’ve come for. As previously mentioned, a VPN provides its own IP address instead of letting people see yours. That way you can spoof your location to make it look like you’re watching from almost anywhere.
And then, there’s Kodi.
See Also: Looking for the best earbuds on Amazon? We found them for you.
If you don’t know, Kodi is an all-in-one entertainment platform that serves as a hub for add-ons that can handle practically any kind of media. A lot of users have decided to use VPNs to hide their Kodi activity from their ISPs.
Now, this isn’t to encourage you to do anything that might violate any laws or service agreements. This is just to give you an idea of how others are using VPNs to enhance the Firestick experience. So now you know.
How to Easily Make iPhone Ringtones Using Only iTunes
Coinbase Card adds 5 more cryptocurrencies and launches in 10 new countries
Mike Pence's pro
Photos show Venice underwater after highest tide in 50 years
The Mismeasure of Media
Hulu's ‘Dollface’ depicts female friendship at its most basic: Review
'Pokémon' makes a fantastic console debut with 'Sword' and 'Shield'
Coinbase Card adds 5 more cryptocurrencies and launches in 10 new countries
New MIT report reveals energy costs of AI tools like ChatGPT
Google will now tell you how you've been mispronouncing words your entire life
Your 'wrong person' texts may be linked to Myanmar warlord
Photos of Ford's electric Mustang Mach
Halle Berry apparently relaxed after the Oscars with a quick skinny dip
Kristen Stewart turns comedy star in 'Charlie's Angels': Movie review
Stablecoin bill advances in U.S. Senate as Trump critics call to end his crypto dealings
Air fryers at The Home Depot are 50% off
Ava DuVernay's Oscars dress has more meaning behind it than you think
Twitter's political ad ban just hit, and it's already pissing off conservatives
Apple is actively looking at AI search for Safari
Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling recreated their 'Mickey Mouse Club' days at the Oscars
Staff Picks: Bowling, Borges, and Bad People by The Paris ReviewAnnouncing Our Summer Subscription Deal by The Paris ReviewThe Secret Identity of Janis Jerome by Michelle OrangeOn Sneakers by Hanif AbdurraqibStrawberry Moon by Nina MacLaughlinThe Winners of 92Y’s 2021 Discovery Poetry Contest by The Paris ReviewThe Mournfulness of Cities by David SearcyA Continuous Musical Delight by Vijay SeshadriAnatomy of a Hoax by Dan PiepenbringEileen in Wonderland by The Paris ReviewThe Dogs of Plaza Almagro by Hebe UhartRedux: The Modest Watercolor by The Paris ReviewThe Momentum of Living: An Interview with Clare Sestanovich by Elinor HittThe Winners of 92Y’s 2021 Discovery Poetry Contest by The Paris ReviewListen to Hebe Uhart, Now That She’s Gone by Alejandra CostamagnaNew York’s Hyphenated History by Pardis MahdaviTo Witness the End of Time by Namwali SerpellRedux: Nothing Is Commoner in Summer than Love by The Paris ReviewThe Joys and Sorrows of Aunthood by Lee LaiTo Witness the End of Time by Namwali Serpell Apple just released 6 videos showcasing new iPad features in iOS 11 Junior League World Series player makes insane catch, snagging would Emilia Clarke just shared her greatest 'Game of Thrones' Instagram post so far Lasers and giant speakers: How airports chase birds off the runway How to put old photos in your social media stories 'Game of Thrones' finale preview video: Let's rumble Visit Chernobyl in virtual reality on PlayStation VR Justin Bieber is back with 'Friends,' the perfect song for the end of summer Elisabeth Moss says 'Handmaid's Tale' Season 2 will 'blow people away' Flight or invisibility? The next 'Splatoon 2' match Father John Misty writes heartfelt eulogy to the Chuck E. Cheese animatronic band How 'StarCraft II' is powering a clever HD remake of 'Diablo II' A new app is designed to help blind people enjoy the total eclipse 'Game of Thrones': 6 ways to transport White Walkers south of the wall Barclays put in sensors to see which bankers are at their desks Custom Nintendo Switch stand turns the console into a mini arcade cabinet 'Game of Thrones' left the internet speechless with tonight's dragon drama This iOS 11 trick lets you quickly disable Touch ID All the features in Apple Maps that’ll make you not hate it Why Lady Gaga and her mom want you to take this 'mental health first aid' class