How to Install VPN on Samsung Smart TV for Beginners
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Smart TVs can be found in almost every home these days and have revolutionized the way families consume entertainment.
We no longer have to pour over a TV magazine to see when our favorite movie or TV show comes out. Instead, we just tune in to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or any other streaming service and watch what we want, when we want, on a huge flat screen in the middle of our living room.
We can do a lot more than watch content on it too, with web browsing, messaging, online gaming and much more available on the majority of Smart TVs.
However, the fact that Smart TV is connected to the Internet can create problems as well as opportunities.
Like any other internet-connected device, a Smart TV can be vulnerable to hackers and because they lack basic security software, hacking one of them can be fairly straightforward.
These various security and privacy vulnerabilities are just one of the reasons why so many people choose to use a VPN with their Smart TVs. Another is that a VPN can improve your streaming experience and unlock new streaming services that would not otherwise be available.
The majority of Smart TVs run on an Android based operating system which makes installing and using a VPN very simple. But Samsung Smart TVs are a little different.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to explain how to use a VPN with your Samsung Smart TV and recommend the best VPNs for the job.
Why Smart TVs Need a VPN
Smart TVs are connected to the internet and thus they are vulnerable to various threats and risks that you can face from other internet-enabled devices as well.
But VPNs not only offer online protection, they are Optimizing is one of the things that a lot of people do on their Smart TVs; flow.
In this section, we will go through the main reasons why you need to use a VPN with your Samsung Smart TV:
protection
Smart TVs are connected to the internet just like a computer or smartphone; It has built-in microphones and cameras, just like a computer or smartphone; They will also keep personal information about you including (very likely) your bank and credit card details.
But most people will not protect their Smart TV in the same way that they protect their computer or smartphone, which is one reason why they are an attractive target for cybercriminals.
Using a VPN helps keep this data and your device safe. It ensures that your Smart TV’s internet connection is encrypted and that any data sent by your Smart TV cannot be intercepted and decrypted.
All devices connected to the Internet need to have security software in place, and a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a key tool in that arsenal.
Privacy
Since 2016, the Investigative Powers Act has stipulated that your ISP must collect and store details of everything you do online for at least 12 months. This means that everything you do is stored online, no matter what device you’re using.
This includes your smart TV as well and means that anything you use for that TV is recorded, stored and could fall into the wrong hands.
Details of every show you watch, every search you make on the streaming provider of your choice, every game you play, and every website you visit are logged.
But if you are using a VPN, you can turn that off.
A VPN forwards all your data through an external server and once it reaches that server, your ISP can’t track it any further.
Since your VPN’s encryption means they can’t see what’s in your data either, it means that the only information they can log is the time you were online and the fact that you were connected to the VPN.
In other words, by using a VPN with your Samsung Smart TV, you can continue to enjoy online privacy safely knowing that no one is recording what you do online.
Access to censored content
If you live in a country where the government wants to censor content that doesn’t satisfy them, finding a tool that allows you to get around this censorship is really helpful.
Even in supposedly free countries like the UK and the USA, governments tend to censor problematic content rather than deal with underlying issues.
Fortunately, a VPN can help you access censored content no matter where you are in the world.
By connecting to a VPN server in a country where your chosen content is not censored, you will be able to watch any program on the streaming service, any video on sites like YouTube, and visit any website you want, without any problems at all.
Content streaming abroad
While streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime have revolutionized the way we watch TV and movies, they also come with their frustrations and annoyances as well.
One of the biggest is when you find that the movie or TV show you want to watch is not available in your location. Services like Netflix offer different libraries in different countries depending on what rights you have.
This means that even though you might pay the same amount as customers in places like the US and Japan, you’ll likely get a lot less content from users there.
This is where a VPN can help.
By connecting to a server in the USA, you can access the US version of Netflix instead of your limited version. This unlocks a large number of TV shows and movies that you wouldn’t be able to watch otherwise.
Netflix has tried to stop this practice, but plenty of VPNs can still access US Netflix and other versions as well. It provides you a much better streaming experience and ensures that you will never have to miss your favorite TV show or movie.
Samsung problem
Setting up a VPN on the device, even on a Smart TV, is usually fairly straightforward. You just have to set up an account, download the app, log in, connect to the server and you’ll be away.
But with Samsung, it’s not that easy. This is due to the operating systems that Samsung TVs run on.
The majority of Smart TVs use a version of Android as their operating system. This has its pros and cons as Android is not a particularly secure operating system but it is compatible with a wide range of applications which makes it easy to install and run a VPN.
But Samsung decided, for whatever reason, to run its smart TVs on its own TizerOS operating system.
British readers of a certain age may wonder why they named it after a neon orange soda, and I think the jury is out on that for now.
Unfortunately, TizerOS means that you can’t just download a VPN to your Samsung TV. We are not aware of any suitable VPNs offering TizerOS at this time, although if that changes, we will of course update this article accordingly.
But this means that instead of the simple installation process we outlined above, connecting your Samsung Smart TV to a VPN is a somewhat more complicated process.
How to set up a VPN on Samsung Smart TV
Connecting your Samsung VPN to a VPN is more complicated than a lot of other Smart TVs. But it is not impossible. There are some methods that are still quite doable and aren’t nearly as complex as you might fear.
The best ways to install a VPN on your Samsung Smart TV are:
Using a router that supports VPN
A VPN router is a Wi-Fi router that allows you to install your VPN directly into the router.
This means that there is no need to install the application on different devices. Your Wi-Fi router will automatically turn on the internet connection of any device using Wi-Fi via VPN.
This means that instead of having to wrestle with your Samsung Smart TV and its TizerOS operating system, you just set up a VPN on your router, then connect your Samsung TV to your Wi-Fi connection, however, the Samsung Smart Your TV is connected to a VPN.
This approach means that every internet device you use is protected by your VPN and this is really useful for a few different reasons.
Device limits – Some VPNs limit the number of simultaneous connections you can make on a single subscription. Using a VPN-enabled router gets rid of this problem as you can connect as many devices as you want to Wi-Fi without any issues.
Internet of Things (IoT) These days, almost every smart device and gadget wants you to be connected to the internet. But a lot of gadgets that support the Internet of Things do not care about security and privacy protection.
A VPN enabled router means all of these tools can be connected to your VPN and enjoy the security and privacy protection it offers.
Using a VPN-enabled router is probably the easiest and most effective way to connect your Samsung Smart TV to a VPN. But before we consider the best VPNs to use with your router, let us tell you about three of the best VPN-enabled routers to use.
Best VPN Router for Your Samsung TV
There are a growing number of VPN enabled routers on the market and they are getting better and better all the time. So, which device should you choose to use with your Samsung Smart TV?
In this section of the guide, we’ll tell you a little bit about the three routers that we’ve found most effective for use with your Samsung Smart TV. They are:
Invizbox 2
The Invizbox 2 is an easy-to-use, configured router suitable for the home and office.
It’s a sleek, round router the size of the palm of your hand but packed with power and features. It is a dual-band router that offers amazing speeds, and depending on the VPN you use it with, it can unblock US Netflix, iPlayer and any other streaming service on your Samsung Smart TV.
Invizbox 2 can be purchased with a subscription from Windscribe, which works very well. Alternatively, you can only purchase devices that are compatible with a number of recommended VPNs below including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish.
Setting up and configuring Invizbox 2 couldn’t be simpler, and you can even set up multiple VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspots with different server locations or security levels.
It is a VPN enabled router that does everything you need to protect your Samsung Smart TV with a VPN.
Find out more by reading our full Invizbox 2 review here.
disclosure
TwistedFingers Ltd. , the parent company of VPNCompare, has a small stake in the parent company of Invizbox 2, Invizbox Ltd.
Asus RT-N66U Powered by Sabai OS VPN Router
This VPN enabled router is, in fact, a standard Asus router that has been modified by Sabai Technology to carry their own custom firmware, Sabai OS.
Although it’s not cheap and has to be shipped from the USA, it’s a great set and comes with all the directions you need to set it up. You can also choose whether you want to configure it yourself with your VPN of choice or have Sabai do it for you.
The router supports both OpenVPN and PPTP protocols that allow users to choose between security or increased speed, and also lets you set individual devices for the type of connection they need.
Speeds are pretty good and while it lacks some of the features we liked from the Invizbox 2, it’s still another VPN-enabled router that will do everything you need to get a VPN connection to your Samsung Smart TV.
Find out more by reading our full Asus RT-N66U review here.
Linksys WRT3200ACM DD-WRT Flash Router
Linksys routers have been around for a while, and beneath their distinctive, angular, and bright blue design is a powerful and impressive VPN router.
The latest version of this iconic model is the Linksys WRT3200ACM DD-WRT FlashRouter. Like previous models, this router is relatively easy to set up and use. It offers amazing speeds and is compatible with a variety of VPNs.
Installation is simple which makes this VPN router one of the most user friendly on the market right now.
It is a reliable, durable and consistent VPN from one of the most reputable manufacturers in the market and we are happy to give it our honest recommendation.
A couple of other options worth checking out…
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