I put my smart TV setup behind a router-based VPN and never looked back - here's why

As a tech journalist, I'm surprisingly cautious about the number of smart and internet-enabled devices in my home. I believe that no one should be able to post to social media from their refrigerator, and an oven doesn't need to integrate Alexa for me to bake a cake. But another big reason I'm careful 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 significant security risk that's more prevalent than you'd think. While many new smart TVs and internet-enabled appliances offer some level of data protection, these measures are often weak or ineffective. Thankfully, adding protection to your smart TV with a VPN is fast and simple.

A VPN encrypts your streaming, web browsing, and download data from end-to-end, making it difficult for hackers to access your activity and personal data. Even if your TV has built-in cyber protection hardware or software, a VPN can help close potential gaps that bad actors may exploit. This is especially true if you've got ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) 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. Using 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.

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. When choosing a VPN, be aware that there are both paid and free options available.

However, 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. 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.

In conclusion, 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.