Jailbreaking a Firestick is like a gateway to exploring diverse apps. The procedure, when done correctly, is safe. However, after that, you also need to look after your online privacy and security.
This doesn’t mean that you don’t need to be careful before. However, it’s crucial to be more careful after jailbreaking. This is because you can now access a host of previously unavailable apps. Many of these apps may lack strong security. Moreover, freely roaming the internet also puts your information at risk of online attacks.
You can significantly reduce these threats by using a VPN after jailbreaking your Firestick. Read on to learn more about it.
What Is Jailbreaking?
Jailbreaking involves eliminating the limitations imposed by the manufacturer of the device. In this case, that device is Firestick. These restrictions prohibit the device from getting software other than what is permitted. By jailbreaking, you can use the operating system of the device as per your liking.
By modifying the device’s settings, you can install third-party apps. Jailbreaking is not a very complex process. You can jailbreak a Firestick by yourself by following the correct set of instructions. Note that you are not making any changes to the system files during jailbreaking. You are just changing the device’s settings. After that, you are free to install apps that are not a part of official app marketplaces.
What Are the Potential Issues with a Jailbroken Firestick?
There’s no doubt that jailbreaking makes Firestick more interesting to use. However, it is critical to consider the consequences of using a jailbroken Firestick without protection. There are mainly three problems that you can face.
1. Security Threats
After jailbreaking your device, you can access any third-party apps. Before, you could only install apps from the official store. These apps had undergone rigorous security checks. So, installing them would never expose your device to malware or other threats. But that is not the case now, as you can download apps from third-party stores. The apps here are not tested as strictly as those in the official store. They are also not updated and have any kind of official support.
2. Legal Problems
After jailbreaking, you can download content from apps or websites that source content without proper authorization. If you freely stream this content and are caught doing so, you can end up in legal trouble. Everything you stream online is visible to your ISP and the government. In such a case, you cannot discount the possibility of getting caught.
3. Warranty Void
A jailbroken Firestick does not have any warranty or support from Amazon. Amazon provides this support only for devices whose pre-built settings are not modified by the user. So, remember that while you can install third-party apps, you won’t get Amazon’s support if things turn wrong.
Why Use a VPN on a Jailbroken Firestick?
VPN provides multiple benefits for Firestick users. From keeping your online identity anonymous to unblocking geo-restrictions, it is a must to have on a jailbroken Firestick. Here’s why you need it.
Stream Securely
Jailbroken Firestick gives you access to unverified apps. These can have harmful content and malware and make your device prone to data breaches. The developers of these unverified apps can track your app usage. Moreover, your governments and ISPs are always monitoring what you are doing online.
A VPN helps you avoid getting into all these issues. It encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address. Thus, no one can snoop into your online actions. No one can collect your data or personal details without your permission. Thus, a VPN helps you stream safely and prevents the chances of data leaks.
Watch Geo-Blocked Content
With a VPN, you can watch content that you otherwise cannot due to licensing restrictions. There’s so much interesting content from all parts of the world that you cannot access from your real location. This is due to restrictions on the content availability imposed by streaming services. This restriction is based on your IP address. It’s called geoblocking.
A VPN resolves this problem. You can change your IP address.Thus, it seems like you are coming from a place where there are no restrictions. This way, you can download and stream content from anywhere. No need to worry about facing any type of restrictions.
Prevents Bandwidth Throttling
Streaming eats up massive amounts of data. Without a VPN, your ISP is well aware of your online actions. If your streaming comes to their notice, they will intentionally throttle or slow down your network. This is because they know the amount of data it consumes. This will then cause you to experience buffering issues.
No one likes to watch a movie with repeated loading issues. VPN encrypting your network. It hides your actions from your ISP. Thus, they do not know what you are up to. You can be streaming or another activity. When they don’t know whether you are streaming or not, they cannot lower your bandwidth. Thus, you enjoy a hiccup-free viewing experience.
Gives You More Privacy When Streaming
You might not always stream at home. There are times when you might use public Wi-Fi out of necessity. Public Wi-Fis have weak networks. While they offer convenience, their lack of security can be dangerous.
This is especially true for those who are entering their personal details on various sites. A hacker present on the same network can easily steal this information. A VPN encodes all your data. So, using it on public Wi-Fi will prevent your data from getting into the hands of the wrong person. It is important to choose a VPN with strong encryption if you will be streaming on unprotected networks.
Final Words
Using a jailbroken Firestick can be exciting. You get access to diverse content that was previously unavailable. However, it is crucial to consider the security and privacy consequences of streaming without VPN protection. By hiding your data and changing your IP address, a VPN helps you make the most out of your jailbroken Firestick.
