How to Use a VPN With LG Smart TVs
If you’ve got an Android TV, you may have wondered how to use a VPN with it. After all, many VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) aren’t compatible with smart TVs, due to security risks. But you may discover that there are some that are. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can use a VPN with an LG Smart TV (and which one to use). We’ll cover everything from the basics of what a VPN is and isn’t compatible with, to security risks and how to choose a VPN plan that works with your needs.
What is a VPN And When Do I Need One?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a type of security software that allows you to connect to a private network – such as a company network or a Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop – through a public network, such as the internet. This public network provides you with anonymity and security, since all of your connection’s traffic (including your personal data) is encrypted as it travels to its final destination.
The best part of a VPN is that it allows you to access private networks (and their resources, such as corporate websites and databases) through the internet. So it essentially gives you a private internet connection that is routed through a secure server somewhere else. This other place could be a public library, a coffee shop, or your home, depending on the type of VPN you use.
Because your connection is routed securely and anonymously through a public network, you can use a VPN when you’re connecting to a public network (such as the internet) to protect your personal data and stay safe. You can also use a VPN when you’re connecting to a private network (such as a company network) to provide you with anonymity when browsing the web. When you use a VPN on a private network, all of your internet traffic is encrypted and private, allowing you to browse the web safely and securely.
Why Aren’t All VPNs Compatible With Smart TVs?
That’s a good question. When a VPN first came on the scene, it was mainly developed to help protect people from internet predators and hackers. Since smart TVs don’t have a physical keyboard, inputting a long password can be very tiresome. And if you’re using a password input method such as voice recognition, you could easily make a mistake and type the wrong password. This could potentially allow an attacker access to your account, with all of its resources, including sensitive information like banking details and emails.
The main issue was that most VPNs were developed with traditional desktop/laptop computers in mind. But now that we have a generation that grew up using smartphones and tablets, we’ve seen a shift in consumer behavior. People are getting more comfortable sharing more personal details online, which makes hacking and identity theft more likely. And since VPNs allow you to browse the web privately and securely, it’s not hard to see why some people might choose to use one. But that doesn’t mean all VPNs are created equal. Some are better suited than others for use with certain devices and operating systems.
Which VPN Should I Use?
After you’ve determined that you need a VPN for one of the reasons mentioned above, choosing the right one becomes much easier. Below, we’ve outlined several things to consider when choosing a VPN to use with your LG Smart TV.
Anonymity
Anonymity is the main purpose of a VPN. When you use a VPN, all of your web traffic, including your personal data, is encrypted as it travels to its final destination. This ensures that your personal information is not easily accessible to anyone who might intercept it as it travels over the internet (unless they have access to the unencrypted version of your data).
Unfortunately, this also means that you cannot access resources, such as websites, that require you to provide personal information. When you use a VPN, you’re essentially connecting to a private network through a public one. This could result in some sites that you try to access being blocked because they don’t know how to handle your VPN – they’ve never seen it before. But you can always work around this by visiting the sites from a different IP address (your VPN provides), or by changing your DNS settings to point to a Google DNS server. The latter solution provides you with an additional layer of protection, since it’s widely available and doesn’t rely on a third-party. In order to use a VPN with the Alexa digital assistant, you’ll need to set up a custom VPN profile – something that isn’t difficult but may be tedious, depending on your technical knowledge. You might also need to contact customer service to figure out how to make the device recognize your VPN. Lastly, some VPNs are more compatible than others with routers that use certain encryption protocols, such as IPsec/IKE or L2TP/IPSec. Since these are the most common protocols used by home and business routers today, this makes for an easy way to determine which ones work with your internet connection. If none of this seems familiar, read our guide to the best VPNs for 2020 to learn more about the safest and most secure VPN available today.
Security
Besides anonymity, another important factor to consider when choosing a VPN is security. Just because your VPN is secure and private doesn’t mean that it’s perfect security. While there are many benefits to using a VPN, there are also some security risks that you need to consider. For example, if you’re using a public Wi-Fi connection to connect to the internet through your VPN, others may be able to eavesdrop on your connection and steal your personal data. To prevent this from happening, use a VPN on a public Wi-Fi connection only when you need to upload or download large files, or when you’re doing something that requires a high level of security (like banking or shopping online).
Features
Besides security, another important factor to consider when choosing a VPN is its feature set. Some VPNs offer a basic tunneled service, which simply directs all of your traffic, including your personal data, through the VPN. Others offer an encrypted tunnel, which encrypts all of your traffic as it passes through the VPN. Still others offer a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet connection if your device is rebooted or starts to malfunction. If you’re looking for the simplest and most basic form of VPN available, check out Express VPN and Private Tunnel Free (both of which are super simple to use and offer a limited feature set).
Customer Support
Last but not least, we want to discuss customer support. You’ll need good customer support if you’re planning on using a VPN. This way, you can get help when you need it, which may be difficult if you’re trying to figure out the best VPN for yourself. Fortunately, many companies have excellent customer support available, which is a great perk, since you won’t always be able to find the answers to your questions on their website (especially since many VPNs are designed to work without interruption, so if their website stops responding, they’re probably not going to be able to help you out anyway). Some of the best VPNs, such as Nord VPN and VPNArea, offer 24/7 live chat support via their websites, as well as emails that are answered within 24 hours. If live chat isn’t your thing, you can always contact their customer service team by phone, which is usually a good idea, since many companies, especially the larger ones, have multiple locations around the world, and it may be difficult to reach an employee by phone in another country. Keep in mind that not all live chat services are created equal, and some are better than others, so determine which one is the best for your needs by testing a few web chats, one at a time, to see which one responds fastest.
How Do I Install A VPN On My LG Smart TV?
In order to use a VPN, you first need to install it on your LG smart TV, either from a mobile device (such as an Android or iOS device) or from a connected computer (such as a laptop or desktop). Once you’ve installed the VPN software, launch it and set up a free account. You can then connect to the internet through your VPN, and all of your traffic, including your personal data, will be encrypted and secure (as long as you’re on a private network, such as a home network or company network).
You might also need to install a VPN plugin for your favorite content provider, such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon, since many of these websites prohibit users from accessing secure content (like bank accounts and credit cards) from public Wi-Fi connections. Installing a VPN plugin is dead simple – just enter your email address and click ‘Subscribe’. Netflix, for example, will send you an email once the plugin is ready to use. From there, it’s just a matter of launching the plugin and logging in to your account.