VPNs offer you an option to transfer your IP address to a new location with the help of dedicated servers set in different parts of the world. They allow you to have access to information and even content that might be unavailable to you otherwise.
Because of this, streaming geo-blocked content has become one of the primary activities for consumers who use a VPN. It was found in a study that around 50% of users use VPN to gain access to entertainment content. This includes content in the form of audio and video, delivered from online streaming websites like Netflix.
In this guide, we will be looking at streaming content with the help of a VPN, and what you can do to gain better access to data and streaming media that you want. Before we jump right in, if you’re interested in using VPNs for online streaming, you can check out https://websafetyadvice.com/vpn/streaming/ for high-speed VPNs.
Now let’s get into it!
How Can You Stream Content With VPN?
The world has gone online to watch their favorite shows and watch comedy movies online instead of waiting for them to be broadcasted on TV. Streaming any content, whether audio or video, through VPN, is a new normal. This is because many streaming websites geo-block content, meaning, they restrict certain content for specific regions. Below mentioned is how a VPN helps you view this content:
IP Switching
How do VPNs hide or secure your identity? They do this through IP switching. This enables them to use your VPN provider to tease IP addresses for your good. Switching your IP address to one that originates from a different machine or country, helps you get rid of the location restrictions.
Netflix and Hulu are two streaming media services based in the US, and some of their copyright laws and agreements, not all of their content, are available for the entire world. Therefore, people who live in countries outside the US do not have easy or immediate access to major popular TV shows or movies. You must already know this, if you dearly wish you could watch Parks and Recreation or House on Netflix being outside of the US, but can’t.
Although with a lot of effort, a high-quality VPN can help you pierce through Netflix by switching your IP address to one in the US or whatever region’s content you want to stream.
Privacy for Sharing Media Files
Though many malpractices like piracy and intellectual property theft have become the new normal in this BitTorrent, peer-to-peer file sharing remains a common aim. Keeping ethical policing aside, any VPN connection is a boon for P2P enthusiasts who would like to avoid getting sued for copyright infringement of any movies or music.
One of the more popular associations like MPPA or Motion Picture Arts Association has been known to keep an eye on ISP signals or become intruders posing as a filer sharer themselves, to catch offenders. When you use a VPN, you bid farewell to all of these inconveniences by encrypting your file transfers and IP addresses, to make it difficult for authorities to locate you or identify you.
What Are The Drawbacks of a VPN?
As much desirable as anonymity is, there are certain downsides to this! One of the significant drawbacks of using a VPN is that it slows down your phone or computer. This happens because the provider includes a middleman or mediator in your connection to hide your identity. Data encryption is a difficult task that consumes a lot of your bandwidth, and the speed and stability of your Internet connection could be affected in this process.
In order to avoid a slow speed, try to invest in a high-quality and secure VPN provider instead of opting for a free or cheap service. If you do this, you shouldn’t have much of a problem on your hands. If you use a weak VPN service for streaming or torrenting, you can face a lawsuit against piracy or theft.
Make sure to read the provider policies thoroughly before subscribing for 6-months or 1-year. You do not want a VPN service to keep logs of your activity and land you in a pickle.
How to Stream Your Favorite Shows with a VPN
If you understand the basics and would like to start streaming popular shows through a VPN, the below-mentioned steps might help you!
1. Install a VPN
You always start here. Get a secure VPN for your device according to the operating system. VPNs are a nifty investment that will offer you abundant joy, endless possibilities, and, most importantly—privacy. You shouldn’t wait!
2. Choose a Location
Opt for a location by opening your VPN and following the guide provided by the provider. If your purpose is to watch a TV show or movie on Netflix, pick a location where the following content is available. For instance, do you want to watch The Office? America it is. Or would you fancy a popular show Captain Fantastic? Choose Japan! You get the point.
3. Continue Using Your Internet
Once you turn on your VPN, all you have to do is carry on with the regular. Open up your browser or video streaming website, and do what you want to. VPN does not require any complicated settings, turn on your internet as usual, and enjoy the privileges that anonymity brings.
Last Note
If you want to start using a VPN service to stream geo-blocked content or P2P activity, you might want to consider the pros and cons. Our suggestion will be to avoid torrenting with a free or weak VPN, as you can face a lawsuit for theft or piracy if caught.
Go through all the sections to understand how VPN can help you protect your identity and give you access to restricted content. Happy streaming!
