Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
As a tech journalist, I am surprisingly hardline about limiting the number of smart and internet-enabled devices in my home. Mostly because I firmly believe that no one should be able to post to social media from their refrigerator, and an oven does not need to integrate Alexa for me to bake a cake.
But another big reason I’m cautious is that the more smart devices you have connected to your network, the easier it is for hackers to access your data. It’s a big security risk that’s more prevalent than you’d think.
Also: The best VPNs for streaming
While many new smart TVs and internet-enabled appliances offer some level of data protection, whether through a dedicated chipset or integrated malware detection, these measures are at best weak and at worst outright ineffective. Thankfully, if you already subscribe to a VPN or are considering one, adding protection to your smart TV is fast and simple.
Why should you use a VPN on your TV
A VPN will encrypt your streaming, web browsing, and download data from end-to-end. This means that unless they have very sophisticated software and eternal patience, a hacker will have a very difficult time accessing your activity and personal data.
Even if your TV has built-in cyber protection hardware or software, a VPN can help close any potential gaps that bad actors may exploit. This is especially the case if you’ve got ACR turned on, as a VPN proactively masks your TV’s real IP address and encrypts its traffic. The same behavior happens with ISP-based content throttling, with the VPN blocking your provider from seeing exactly what you’re streaming.
Also 10+ VPN tricks I recommend to everyone
And on a more fun note, a VPN can also open up a whole new world of streaming options by letting you access content that isn’t available in your home country. With a single click, you can set your virtual location to just about anywhere in the world to trick streaming services into showing you movies and shows that are otherwise unavailable for you to browse.
Should you use a free or paid VPN?
Installing the VPN on your router lets you protect multiple devices with just a few clicks in the control app. Many VPN services allow you to protect up to 10 devices simultaneously, providing 24/7 whole-home cyber protection.
There are both paid and free VPN services available, but beware of free options, as they might still keep logs of your online activity, which could then potentially be leaked in a company data breach. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between paid and free options.
Free VPNsPaid VPNsData LimitsStrictly capped (usually 2GB to 10GB per month)UnlimitedStreaming SpeedsThrottled or heavily congested serversOptimized high-speed servers (4K capable)TV App AvailabilityRarely have dedicated Android TV / Fire TV appsNative apps in almost all major TV app storesPrivacy ModelOften sell browsing data to third parties to make moneyFunded by subscriptions; strict “no-logs” policiesRouter SetupAlmost never supportedFully supported for Samsung/LG TV network integration
How to protect your smart TV with a VPN
The process for setting up a VPN on your smart TV is virtually identical across all brands and operating systems. Since most new TVs can’t support a VPN app on their own, you’ll have to install your chosen VPN service through your router:
Router installation
- Select and subscribe to your chosen VPN
- Download the official app and configuration files from the brand’s website
- Access your router’s IP settings with the credentials on the sticker that shows the model and serial number for your router
- Follow your brand’s step-by-step instructions for installing the configuration files
- Restart your router if needed
- Connect to the internet
- Sign in to VPN
Bottom line
Your smart TV is just as prone to security risks as your smartphone or computer, so it never hurts to keep your activity protected with a VPN, whether paid or free. The best part is that you can set up a VPN on virtually any smart TV, since the installation occurs at the router level. And you’ll see benefits to your content consumption, too, as VPNs allow you to browse streaming service catalogs from other countries.
