Tired of region blocks? Any provider on our list of the top 5 best VPNs for Amazon Prime and Fire TV will do the trick. Not only will you gain access to a wider range of content, but you’ll be able to stream in complete privacy thanks to a spoofed IP and tough VPN encryption.
Amazon’s market domination has done nothing but expand in the last few decades. People are choosing the company’s services for good reason, though. Amazon Prime is one of the biggest. The service offers free shipping along with complete access to Amazon Video, a Netflix-like competitor that’s filled with original content, free movies, free TV shows, and much more. Combine this convenience with Amazon’s Fire TV devices and you’ve suddenly got an inexpensive and portable method of watching movies, no setup required!
Always Use a VPN with Amazon Prime and Fire TV
Virtual private networks are indespensable tools in the modern world. An unsecured connection sends out all kinds of private data, everything from the websites you visit to the videos you stream, even details about your identity! It’s surprisingly easy for hackers and ISPs to collect this information, opening the door to all sorts of nasty attacks and data breaches.
A VPN can easily protect you from these threats. VPNs encrypt each packet of data that leaves your device, making it unreadable to outside eyes and untraceable even to the most sophisticated of hackers. You can surf and stream without worry, even on smartphones, tablets, and Fire TV Sticks. All you have to do is find the best VPN and you’re good to go.
VPN Selection Criteria
Picking the right VPN can seem like an impossible task. How do you compare things like encryption protocols, privacy policies, and download speeds? We did the work for you by evaluating some of the most reliable VPNs on the market using the criteria below, ensuring you can enjoy an open and private internet on any device.
- Fast download speeds – VPNs are usually slower than a regular internet connection. If you want high quality videos, you need a VPN that puts a priority on speed.
- Good software support – Lightweight, easy to use software is key to enhancing your VPN experience, especially on Fire TV devices.
- Unlimited bandwidth – Some VPNs restrict how much bandwidth you can use, leaving you unencrypted and unprotected the minute you run out.
- Unmonitored web access – Want to download torrents or files from P2P networks? Make sure your VPN doesn’t block them!
- Zero-logging policy – VPNs can log your activity just like an ISP. To ensure your data stays safe, the best VPNs have a zero-logging policy.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is known for incredibly fast speeds, a feat it accomplishes in large part due to its robust network of 3,000+ servers in 140 locations over 94 countries worldwide. This gives you plenty of options for low traffic, low latency connections, and it means ExpressVPN can tweak its hardware for the best speeds possible. Along with this fast network, ExpressVPN keeps data secure with 256-bit AES encryption, a zero-logging policy to hide your activity, and both kill switch and DNS leak protection features.
ExpressVPN works exceptionally well on Fire TV devices. You can install it by searching for the name on the Amazon Appstore, then activate and connect using your remote. If you plan on using Amazon Prime or accessing Amazon Video on other devices, ExpressVPN is easily your best option. You can take advantage of the company’s fast servers and smart software on a wide variety of devices, each one perfectly designed to sit quietly in the background and keep you safe. And if you need help installing it, check out our complete guide: How to Install ExpressVPN on the Firestick
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
- Unblocking Netflix USA, iPlayer, Amazon Prime
- 94 countries, 3,000+ servers
- OpenVPN, IPSec & IKEv2 Encryption
- No logs for personal data
- 24/7 Customer Service.
- Max 3 simultaneous connections
- High cost for month-to-month users.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN has a major leg up on the competition, with its constantly expanding network of servers. At the time of writing, NordVPN offers over 5,700 servers in 60+ countries. You’ll never have a problem finding a fast connection with NordVPN, even if you live outside of a major city. NordVPN sets aside some of these servers to provide extra features, too such as DDoS protection, onion over VPN routing, and double VPN. Finally, every connection is secured with the company’s standard zero-logging policy, 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and automatic kill switch. Everything you need to stay safe online!
NordVPN is an amazing VPN to use for Amazon Prime Videos on just about any device. If you’re looking for something to use on your Fire TV, however, be aware that NordVPN requires some extra setup steps to get it working. We’ve outlined the entire process in a guide that walks you through the install, step by step.
Read our full NordVPN review.
- Optimized servers for unblocking Netflix
- 5,400+ servers globally
- Strong encryption is used on all connections
- Retains no metadata of your browsing
- Live Chat Support.
- Some servers can be slow and unreliable
- Apps can be a bit cumbersome to use.
3. IPVanish
IPVanish is an amazing choice for a reliable, fast, and private VPN for Amazon’s products. The company manages to balance speed with security so you can enjoy movie streams without having to worry about your activity being discovered. IPVanish does this through a network of over 1,300 servers in 75+ different countries, one of the largest in the industry, and it backs everything up with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. You also get a great zero-logging policy on traffic to help keep your activity safe from discovery.
IPVanish is perfect for video streams and anonymous torrents, both of which are vital to the Fire TV and Prime Video experience. The software is incredibly lightweight and works without any input lag, even on Fire TV Sticks. Best of all, IPVanish is easy to install from the Amazon Appstore, all you have to do is search for the name and start the download.
Read our full IPVanish review.
4. PureVPN
PureVPN goes a few steps further than most VPNs. The service provides all the features you would expect from a popular VPN, everything from an automatic kill switch to 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a zero-logging policy. With PureVPN, though, you also get a host of other features that help keep you safe online. How does anti-virus protection, malware shields, app blocking, and DNS level website filtering sound? All of that is baked into PureVPN’s custom software, and they’re extraordinarily easy to use, too. Need servers? There’s over 2,000 nodes to choose from, strewn about a mind-boggling 140+ countries worldwide.
PureVPN does a stellar job keeping your data safe while using Amazon Prime. It also works well with Fire TV devices, too, all thanks to its lightweight design and easy installation process. To use PureVPN with a Fire Stick, just head to the Amazon Appstore, search for PureVPN, and install!
Read our full PureVPN review.
How to Use a VPN with Fire TV and Amazon Prime
Once you’ve found the right VPN for you, it’s time to lock down your identity. VPNs have become much easier to use in recent years. They don’t require complicated installs or deep knowledge of terminal commands, just a mouse or a Fire TV remote!
Installing the VPN
If you’re using a Fire TV device, your default VPN options are a bit limited. The choices above are the easiest to install on the platform, as they offer marketplace links that do all the hard work for you. If you use a different VPN, though, you’ll have to do what’s called sideloading to use it on your Fire TV. We’ve made an easy guide that walks you through the entire process. It’s not as difficult as it sounds, we promise!
Launching the VPN
If you’re using Amazon Prime with a smartphone or PC, launching your VPN and starting a stream is pretty easy. Things are a little more awkward with Fire TV Sticks and set top boxes, however. Once you’ve installed the app, navigate to the Fire TV’s main menu, then scroll the top menu to the right until you see the apps section. Click here, then look for your VPN’s icon. You’ll need to enter your login details to connect to the servers the first time you launch it, but after that you’ll be able to connect with just a few clicks.
Running a VPN in the Background
After successfully connecting to your VPN, you’re ready to go. The program needs to stay running in the background in order to keep your data safe. This means you shouldn’t exit or sign out once you’re done logging in. Simply press your Fire TV remote’s home button to go back to the main menu. Your VPN will quietly sit in the background, encrypting your data and protecting your privacy. You can launch other apps and stream whatever videos you like!
Disconnecting from the VPN
If your connection gets sluggish or if you can’t access a service because it’s blocking your VPN, you’ll need to disconnect from the servers and try going straight through your ISP instead. The process will vary slightly depending on which VPN you use, but the basics are pretty simple. All you need to do is launch the VPN, just like when you signed in before. The “connect” button should say “disconnect”. Click it, wait a few moments, then return to your video stream. You’ll need to reconnect the VPN afterwards, so don’t forget!
Why is it Important to Use a VPN?
When you’re running a device like Fire TV or using Amazon Prime for video streams, you’re sharing a lot of data with the world. Packets of information contain traces of code that can show third parties which videos you’re accessing, and they also contain your IP address, which is directly linked with your ISP account. Using a VPN helps scramble this data and hide your identity online. VPNs also come with a number of other benefits that will make your daily internet life easier and more convenient.
Access Geo-Restricted Content
Sick of seeing that “video not available in your country” message on Amazon Prime and Fire TV? VPNs can help! Geo-restricted content prevents people in certain areas from accessing shows and movies not intended for their region. It’s a relic of the pre-digital age, but it doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon. By using a VPN, though, you can quickly change your IP address, fooling the service into thinking you’re from another country. Want to watch movies from the U.S.? Pick an IP in that country, reload, and enjoy!
Stay Safe on Wi-Fi Networks
One of the benefits of using Amazon Video with Fire TV Stick is the ability to watch any movie anywhere you go. Staying in a hotel or heading to a friend’s house? Pop the device into your pocket and go! Using unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks carries a few risks, however. By using a VPN on your Fire TV device, you can ensure your activity stays safe and your privacy intact, even if the hotspot you’re using isn’t secure.
Defeat ISP Throttling
Some ISPs have started throttling traffic to popular video streaming services, including Amazon and Netflix. They do this by checking each packet of data to see it’s destination, then artificially slowing it down. You can bypass this restriction by using a VPN. Encrypted packets won’t show their destination to an ISP. If they can’t tell you’re using Amazon Prime Video, they can’t throttle your connection, plain and simple.
Conclusion
Using Amazon Prime’s video service along with a Fire TV device is a great way to get tons of free videos. You’ll have access to hundreds of blockbuster movies, independent content, full TV series, and Amazon Originals, as well. You can even buy or rent new movies directly from the device! Pairing a VPN with these services is a great way to keep your data safe while opening up a host of benefits you can enjoy. It’s fast, it’s easy, and best of all, it’s inexpensive!
Read Best VPN for Amazon Prime and Fire TV in 2019 by John Anthony on AddictiveTips - Tech tips to make you smarter
from AddictiveTips https://ift.tt/2mSvIBr
via IFTTT