Using a VPN is not so tricky task to do, but with different devices, there is a bit of complexity in using a VPN. The same is the case with Roku. Roku is an amazing streaming device that allows users to get access to different streaming websites. You will get a variety of TV shows and movies on Roku. With Roku, you will get your hands on different streaming websites such as Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and many more.
But there are some restrictions like in some regions you won’t be able to get access to Hulu and Amazon as they have limitations. In that situation, a VPN comes forward. Vpn is a very good friend of users who want to get access to sites that are blocked in their regions. many other streaming VPNs make it easy to watch different watching websites.
VPN is a fascinating network service, with the help of which you can make your life more easy. While using Roku, sometimes you might face issues accessing different sites that’s when you can get the use of VPN services. What will you do if you are going somewhere and suddenly you see that the road is blocked? You will search for an alternate way from where you can reach your destination.
Just like this when you are visiting different sites or browsers and suddenly you see that the site you are opening is banned in your country region due to any reason, you will immediately go to Google to find an alternate way to open up that site. Do you know what are those ways? There is only one way that will open up the blocked sites in your country and that is VPN. You might have heard about this term but do you know about what is VPN and how it works?
VPN service provides you access to all websites without any hurdles. Many people get this assistance even for illegal work. For example, you must know that in some countries, Whatsapp is not allowed, so those people use a VPN whenever they want to use the Whatsapp app. Many other apps are being used in different countries through VPNs, where they are prohibited.
Using a VPN service, you have to get the internet service at full speed so that there won’t be any interruption in your connection. There is no VPN that will connect or disconnect automatically, but there is a specific feature that is known as a VPN kill switch. This feature will allow your VPN to disconnect your device whenever it does not get enough connection service. But this feature is only available if you build it, and to create this feature, you need to go through a specific process.
VPN
VPN is a “Virtual Private Network” that will describe the whole opportunity so that a person can establish a protected network connection while using a public network. VPN is a software that will encrypt your internet traffic and disguise your online identity. With the help of this VPN service, no one will be able to identify your identity, and it will be even more difficult for third parties to track your activities and steal your data. VPN will not just secure your identity. It will also add security to your system whenever they connect to web-based services and sites.
VPN will hide your public IP address and tunnel traffic between the user’s device and the remote servers. Some people will only take advantage of this opportunity to avoid being tracked online, and they often use it on public Wi-Fi as those Wi-Fi are very easy to hack. In public Wi-Fi, there is a huge chance of being hacked by hackers, so people always go for the VPN service.
EXPLORE MORE CONTENT ON ROKU WITH A VPN
While using a VPN, one can explore more from the internet as it will now show you all the results that are not even allowed in your region. If you are sitting in the United Kingdom and want to use any streaming website in the United States, you have to use any of their VPNs to get access. VPN service will connect your internet to any of their servers and provide you with a completely new IP address. With devices like Roku, you can get whole new chances to explore all the streaming possibilities on the internet.
INSTALLING VPN ON ROKU
Let me make a point very clear to you, the media device, named Roku does not support any kind of VPN or Smart DNS. Then how are you going to use a VPN on a Roku device? Basically, you don’t install or use a VPN on Roku, you have to install the VPN services in your Router and then your media device Roku will eventually connect to the VPN whenever you connect it to your internet router.
1. INSTALL VPN IN YOUR ROUTER:
When you install VPN services into your router, all of your devices in the range of the router will automatically connect to the VPN including laptops, mobile phones, or any other. There are no limitations on several devices.
If you want to install the VPN services in your router, first you have to make sure that the router you are using supports the VPN configuration, as not all the VPNs are capable of having the VPN software. If your router does not support VPN functionality, you can install new firmware that flashes it. The very common firmware that you can install is DD-WRT, it helps your router to enable the VPN services.
Also, you can simply choose the router that has pre-installed VPN services.
You can use any VPN service to install in your router. Once it is done, you can easily get the VPN services on your media device Roku.
Now whenever your Roku media device connects with that router it will automatically get the VPN services and allow you to get past all the block-streaming websites.
This is one of the many ways through which you can use a VPN on your Roku media device. Now let’s see what are the other ways.
2. SET UP A VIRTUAL ROUTER WITH A VPN:
Although this process requires more steps and is a lengthy one it is much easier than the above method.
First of all, you have to build a VPN connection by using either your computer or MAC device. After getting the connection, now open up the VPN app and share your WiFi network.
If you are using a laptop or computer, you can easily do this by opening RUN and pressing WINDOW+R. It will ask you to name the connection, name it as you want.
Now open the settings and go to connections, find the network name with the corresponding VPN.
The last step is, to go to that connection, right-click find the PROPERTIES, and select the option saying allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.
Now your Roku will eventually connect with the VPN services through your laptop or computer.
FOR MAC USERS:
In MAC devices, go to the SHARING MENU and check the box next to INTERNET SHARING. On that page, an automatic pop-up message will appear confirming your connection. Click on the START. If it is done correctly it will show you the green light next to your INTERNET SHARING status.
Once you have done all these processes, enable your WiFi hotspot, and connect your Roku with your device WiFi, it will automatically cover all the VPN services until you are connected to that WiFi.
COMMON ISSUES THAT YOU MIGHT FACE WHILE USING A VPN ON YOUR ROKU MEDIA DEVICE
While setting up the VPN services on your Roku media device, you might face some common issues, which are as follows:
ROUTER COMPATIBILITY:
As we have mentioned above not all routers support VPN, so you have to check whether the router you are using has compatibility for VPN. Also, you can buy a router that has pre-installed VPN services. If you are interested in going through the pros and cons of a VPN router.
INTERNET CONNECTION ISSUES:
Sometimes, users face the common issue of internet connection dropping again and again. If you face this kind of issue, you can simply restart your router or the Roku media devices. It will eventually resolve your issue. As we all know VPN can drop your internet connection speed somehow.
INCOMPATIBLE VPN PROTOCOL:
While getting the VPN make sure you get the one that supports OpenVPN or PPTP as these are the only supported VPN protocols in Roku media devices.
USES OF VPN:
1. DATA INTEGRITY:
We all know VPN can get you connected to one network even if you are from different localities; this ability will help professionals from different locations access any application and information as their corporate office. Just like when a company uses the shared server to store information or data, each worker will get access to that data, regardless of their location. But this can only be done with the VPN. As VPN comes with a subscription, if the company bought the subscription, they can easily use the VPN to share subscription information that provides access to the remote application.
2. BETTER SECURITY:
With the increase in remote work, the risk of leaking out of data has also been increased. So, it is very important to protect office information and data from any external parties who can strive to get access to their IP address or view their browsing behavior, which can easily represent a security risk for businesses. With the help of a VPN, you will get an enhanced security system in your internet connection because it will allow the employees to view essential information from their company server.
Always remember that whenever you are using the shred network, your security level will be improved among your employees because they can easily rely on private servers instead of third-party applications, like emails or messages that will distribute documents.
3. BYPASSES GEOGRAPHICAL STRICTNESS:
Being a professional in any field requires more knowledge in that field. But sometimes, when you try to gain extra information from different websites. It will notify you that this website is prohibited in your region. At that spit, professionals will go to VPN to access information in any geographical location that may pose restrictions.
Those companies that have international offices in different countries can easily use VPN services to get access to the data or information available I the headquarters server. This will allow the companies to maintain close communication with the people who are far from them and working as remote employees and can easily ensure uniform processes regardless of location.
CONCLUSION:
VPN is a Virtual Private Network that can change your IP address and provide the user with a completely new IP address of the location that he /she has chosen. VPN is nowadays a basic necessity for people who are always on the internet because so many websites or pages are being blocked in certain regions for many reasons. So with the help of VPN services, people get their hands on those websites without facing any big issues.
Roku media device is a small box just like an internet router but it carries a huge purpose. Once you have Roku you can easily watch all the streaming websites without any hard work. But just like mobile phones and laptops, the sites that are blocked in your region won’t be able to open even on Roku. So for that purpose, you have to use the VPN on your Roku media device. Here we have a little bit of confusion, as Roku does not support any VPN services then how we can connect a VPN with Roku?
In this article, we have mentioned some of the other ways through which you can connect your Roku media device with VPN services.
FAQs
1. Do we have to update the firmware on a router or Roku media device?
Yes, you have to update the firmware to the latest version. Otherwise, it will cause you lots of issues with the connection
2. What should we do if we face a slow internet connection on Roku?
If you face any kind of connection speed issue, you can simply restart your Roku or router device or it might be because of server congestion, try connecting different VPN server.
