I don’t pay for broadcast television anymore. In this day and age, I’m surprised at how many still do. While it’s clear that it’s not going anywhere, I’m no longer part of a small minority. Millions around the world – especially those of younger generations – are cutting cords and going with alternate options.
And why not? Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and the like are constantly making more content available, as well as coming up with their own brilliant shows. Think of how many better shows than American Gods and Stranger Things you’ve seen on broadcast TV.
True, there are still big series out there that you technically have to pay for. Game Of Thrones comes immediately to mind. However, in these cases it’s tempting to use a free streaming service like ProjectFreeTV. I’m not advocating that you do, but we all know streaming sites like this exist.
Unfortunately, the streaming services themselves are not necessarily making life easy for us. If you live outside the US, for example, you have limited content available on Netflix, etc. This is because cable and satellite television channels have already syndicated it. And, while using a VPN was a great way around this, streaming sites have made it harder and harder for VPNs to break through.
But don’t despair. There are still VPNs out there that will do the job. Just remember to keep the following 3 things in mind.
Are other users in your country having success?
Netflix might make a bit more money if they simply let things be and allowed people to bypass their security measures with VPNs. However, they face legal issues if they don’t do all they can to keep content safe. And so before you pay for a VPN, make sure that others in your country have had success with it.
This may be necessary even if you’ve paid for a broadcast channel that is only available in one country. If you’re subscribed to Sky Go, for example, you’ll need a compatible Sky Go VPN to access it outside the UK.
What are its safety measures?
VPNs are not only important for trying to access content available in other countries. They’re also very effective at keeping your data safe. The internet can sometimes seem like a cesspool of hackers and viruses. VPNs encrypt your data and make it less vulnerable to hackers and surveillance. So, while a proxy might work to access Netflix, it doesn’t do the same job in terms of protecting you. Make sure you choose an option that will keep you safe.
How are the reviews?
Finally, always look at its reviews. Because ultimately, you can only know if it’s the right VPN for you if it does what it claims to, and you need third parties to confirm that. Don’t go in blind. Do your research and find out all you need to know before splashing out.
If you follow these 3 steps, you can rest assured that you’ll end up with the VPN that suits you best, and not just the first one that seems affordable.
Image by Nicolas Raymond