Gone are the days when you had to rush to the DVD store to get your weekend movie. With fast and seamless internet connectivity becoming a reality worldwide, the rise of online streaming platforms is not surprising.
Like every coin has two sides, specific privacy concerns are plaguing the world of online streaming. Let us take a simple example. Being a Game of Thrones fan, you search for the Targaryen family tree online, and what happens next? You are bombarded with ads relating to GoT merchandise.
What if we told you there is a way to protect your privacy online and access content that is sometimes unavailable in your geographical location? Yes, we are talking about VPN (Virtual Private Network).
How does a VPN work?
A VPN is software that allows you to use the internet anonymously by replacing your IP address with a different one. This is done by routing it through a lot of different servers. While protecting your information, this also lets you change your location, giving you access to geo-blocked content. Accessing a show on a US streaming service from Australia is no longer a distant dream.
Advantages of Using a VPN While Streaming Online
While we have already taken a look at the two main reasons why you should use a VPN (protecting your privacy and accessing geo-blocked content), in this section, we shall discuss some of the specific advantages of using a VPN while streaming online. Here you go.
- Safely stream on unknown WiFi Networks – There are many situations when you have to use someone else’s WiFi network. Often, it is a simple case of using the coffee shop’s WiFi. While it may seem innocuous, you need to be careful as all your browsing and streaming history may be going to the servers of some random service provider.
- In this case, using a VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN will protect your data as it will be encrypted and cannot be accessed by any unwanted hackers or nosy service providers.
The same goes for accessible public WiFi networks offered by many governmental authorities. - Skip the buffering – Even if you have an unlimited internet plan, there are instances when your ISP identifies high bandwidth usage. It can then reduce your internet speed, leading to buffering while streaming online. If you use a VPN then this can be avoided because the ISP will be completely ignorant about where your data goes.
- Stream on your favorite device – The best part about using a VPN is that most VPN service providers allow you to stream on a device of your choice (be it a PC, mobile phone or smart TV).
If streaming movies and shows online are something you do daily, it is highly recommended that you use a VPN to protect yourself. There are concerns about the use of VPNs in some countries. However, it is allowed in most countries.