Best VPN for LG Smart TV: Change WebOS Region
The exponential increase in technology has ushered in a new age and in this new age comes Smart TVs. A Smart TV is a combination of a television and a smartphone. Aside from the normal functions a typical television is expected to have, a Smart TV also has the added feature of internet access.
That is, it can run apps just like a smartphone would, stream music, videos, and view photos. However, this also means that certain online restrictions, particularly geo-restrictions, would apply to it. This is a significant challenge for SmartTV users as it essentially means that they would be unable to use their SmartTV to their heart’s content.
Asides from the problem of geo-blockage, there is also the risk of downloading and streaming online. Now that your TV can access the internet, it means that it could be potentially vulnerable to threats such as malware, hackers, etc.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is designed to prevent such threats while simultaneously allowing users access to content that is classified as geo-restricted. With so many VPNs out there, it can become confusing to choose the right provider best suited for your SmartTV. The following list details the best 6 VPNs that are not only compatible with the LG SmartTV but also provide the best service.
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
Over the years, ExpressVPN has managed to stay in the lead for being one of the best VPNs, and for a good reason. The provider boasts of being “The VPN that just works,” and reviews show that this statement is not all talk. It has over 3000 servers in 160 locations and 94 countries that give your TV wide unblocking powers.
With unlimited speeds, you can also stream content on your LG Smart TV in HD and 4K. When coupled with its ability to bypass region-blocked content on the Smart TV such as Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and many more, it is no wonder why this provider has a place at the top. In addition, it promises unlimited access to media content from anywhere in the world.
Yes, you can watch all the shows you want on your LG Smart TV with fast internet speeds and unlimited bandwidth, but there’s more. ExpressVPN not only strives to provide its users with close to limitless access to their favorite content, but it also ensures your security and anonymity when you connect your LG Smart TV to the internet. It protects from having your activity logged and sold by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It does this by keeping your IP address and location hidden so that you remain invisible and away from the reach of potential hackers and viruses. ExpressVPN’s innovation and comprehensive service ensure optimality for its users.
You can be sure that you’ll get only the best security for your LG Smart TV with ExpressVPN. This VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is widely recognized and trusted by security experts worldwide. It also has a kill-switch, a protective measure if your TV’s internet connection is down — ExpressVPN immediately disconnects the user from the internet, thus ensuring 100 percent security.
ExpressVPN doesn’t have LG Smart TV apps, but you can set it up on a router. Furthermore, its MediaStreamer is an excellent aid for Smart TVs.
Asides from security and encryption, other features contribute to your Smart TV’s viewing pleasure and satisfaction. Furthermore, it has a No-Log policy, which means that it keeps no record of your online activity. This feature settles while you surf away without any restriction or hesitation on your part. Finally, ExpressVPN also has an ad blocker that prevents unnecessary clutter and adverts from littering your LG Smart TV. Read a more detailed guide on how to set up ExpressVPN on LG Smart TV here.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 7,000+ in 111 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
NordVPN has a large number of servers (over 5200) located in more than 60 countries. This ensures a fast, reliable, and optimal service for your LG Smart TV worldwide once you connect it to the internet. If you’re the type who loves to stream videos with your TV, NordVPN is an excellent choice.For those who are not technologically savvy or speak the computer world lingo, there is good news. NordVPN simplifies the task of using a VPN on your LG Smart TV with its easily understood interface while being just as good a VPN as the best of its kind.
Furthermore, you no longer have to deal with restricted content your LG Smart TV makes only available to those in certain countries. This provider makes bypassing internet restrictions a breeze. The provider has features that make it possible to cut through geo-restricted content on websites such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO on your Smart TV. If you’re an anime fan or a Japanese soap enthusiast living outside the country, then this is excellent news for you. NordVPN opens you up to a whole new world of content.
It gets better; while enjoying the practically unlimited speeds and large bandwidths enabling pleasurable viewing content on your LG Smart TV, NordVPN also boasts of its ability to keep you and your data secure when online. With features such as military-grade encryption, double VPN, and CyberSec, you can rest assured that layers of security measures protect your TV.
It uses the 256-bit AES encryption, which is currently the best in the world. Double VPN routes your LG Smart TV’s traffic through two servers to ensure maximum protection. Furthermore, NordVPN takes your Smart TV data through the Tor network with the Onion Over VPN feature.
CyberSec prevents malicious software as well as ads and spam, which can be an annoying distraction while watching TV shows. That’s not all; NordVPN also has a Kill Switch, similar to ExpressVPN, which cuts you off the internet the moment the provider is down to leave no room for vulnerabilities.
Although NordVPN doesn’t have an LG Smart TV app, it works just fine with a router through which you can connect your TV. To top it off, their 24/7 customer service resolves all Smart TV queries quickly.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Surfshark
Features
- Free trial? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
- Ad blocking? Yes
- Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries
Pros/Cons
- No footprints
- Allows torrenting
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not the fastest
The beauty of this relatively new service is that, like NordVPN, it also cuts across all facets of individuals with its easy-to-use interface, thus catering for those who might not know their way around a VPN. Despite its newness in the game, Surfshark has rapidly risen through the ranks, becoming one of the leading VPN providers today. It has a decent amount of servers (over 1000) spread across 61 plus countries. There is virtually no challenge to be faced wherever you might find yourself in the world with this distribution of servers. Surfshark also offers ultra-fast speeds, zero-log policy, 30-day money refund policy, unblocks restricted channels, and, most importantly, ensures 100% security for your LG Smart TV.
Surfshark’s fast speeds make it an excellent choice for streaming and torrenting so you can stream on your LG Smart TV to your heart’s content. And while doing this, you do not have to be concerned about your security as it provides the best of the best in security and anonymity online. Since Surfshark, being relatively new, has come so far so quickly and is now capable of competing with the top VPN providers, this is enough to quench any fire of doubt about it being suitable for your LG Smart TV’s needs.
This relatively new provider has risen through the ranks because of its innovation in bypassing different internet restrictions. Are you looking to access geo-restricted content on your LG Smart TV? Then, you can be sure that Surfshark is an excellent choice. While doing this, its No-Log policy, as well as its kill switch and camouflage mode, keep you safe, invisible, and protected on all fronts. In addition, it has a feature called MultiHop, which is like the Double VPN feature on NordVPN. Finally, it provides an extra layer of security by routing your Smart TV’s data through multiple servers. It is no wonder that Surfshark is considered one of the best for LG Smart TVs with all these.
Surfshark doesn’t have apps for LG Smart TV, but you can install it on a router. Aside from your TV, Surfshark allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices. It is one of the very few providers that will enable you to do this as most providers only allow a maximum of 5 devices.
To further put your mind at rest about its services, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you find that you’re not pleased with its services within the first 30 days, then you can simply ask for your money back.
- Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest Price: $2.49
PrivateVPN
Features
- Killswitch Yes
- iOS App Yes
- Data logging No
Pros/Cons
- Servers in 63 countries
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256
- App can seem complicated
PrivateVPN is another great option for your LG Smart TV. Although its features don’t compare with ExpressVPN, it can still offer you an excellent LG Smart TV experience. With over 100 ultra-fast servers in 63 countries, you can unlock content from all these countries on your LG Smart TV. Furthermore, if you choose to torrent materials, PrivateVPN gives you the anonymity you desire. What’s more? The VPN supports P2P file sharing.
You can also rely on PrivateVPN to protect your LG Smart TV when you’re online. Firstly, this VPN uses the already solid AES-256 encryption protocol. It also has a no-log policy, so you can rest assured that neither LG nor any other person can know that you changed your region from your Smart TV’s online data.
Unfortunately, you cannot directly install PrivateVPN on your LG Smart TV. However, you can use a router instead. Furthermore, if you want to connect other gadgets on your VPN subscription, PrivateVPN allows six simultaneous connections. In addition, you can enjoy all these features on most operating systems, including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Finally, PrivateVPN tailors its prices to fit the services they offer. So, you can install this VPN for your LG Smart TV for as low as $2.08 for 24 months. Yet again, if you don’t enjoy your LG TV experience on this VPN, you can request a refund based on PrivateVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Pros: Servers in 63 countries; 30-day money-back guarantee; 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256;
- Lowest price: €2.04
CyberGhost
Features
- Connected devices at once: 7
- Automatic kill switch? Yes
- One click connect: Yes
- Servers: 5900 worldwide
Pros/Cons
- No logs policy
- 24/7 live chat
- Apps for mobile devices and routers
- No free option
The name of a brand can give a lot away. For CyberGhost, it is that you become a ghost when you go online with your LG Smart TV. CyberGhost is like your magical Harry Potter robe of invisibility. As the name suggests, you stay hidden and unnoticed when you are online, thereby shielding your device, in this case, the LG Smart TV, from hackers and viruses.
In terms of cost, CyberGhost is more affordable when compared with the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN. It boasts 5,600 plus servers in 90 plus countries. Its no-log policy further accentuates the beauty of being invisible in front of your Smart TV. You have the pleasure of watching whatever you want without it ever being like you were there.
CyberGhost operates on L2TP, IKEv2, and OpenVPN – the latest and most secure protocols available. In addition, it has military-grade 256-bit encryption, thereby ensuring you have nothing to worry about when streaming on your LG Smart TV. Of course, it helps to know you are protected on all sides while you immerse yourself in your favorite content.
Its customer care offers well-laid-out guides carefully drafted to address potential issues and frequently asked questions when streaming worldwide content on your LG Smart TV. In addition, these support agents are available 24/7 to attend to any problems that cannot be solved using the knowledgebase.
CyberGhost doesn’t have apps for LG Smart TV. However, it has apps for other devices that can aid your Smart TV VPN connection, such as routers, and it allows you to connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. Therefore, you can protect all your devices with a single subscription. In addition, a 45-day refund policy makes it more attractive, especially for those who might be skeptical of the quality of its services.
- Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
- Lowest price: €2
UltraVPN
Features
- One click connect? Yes
- Servers: 100+ superfast servers
- Bandwidth cap? No
- Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Pros/Cons
- Firewall
- Apps for all devices
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not as many servers as others
Like Surfshark, UltraVPN is also a relatively new provider on the market that you shouldn’t ignore. It has over 1000 servers in over 55 locations. For a relatively new VPN on the market, this is quite impressive. While there may be a few VPNs that surpass UltraVPN, some of which we mentioned above, we still classify this provider among the top ones available today.
UltraVPN is one of the best for Smart TVs because of its speed. This VPN can deliver excellent speeds to LG Smart TV users. Unfortunately, for some, using a VPN has become synonymous with lags in speed. However, this won’t be the case if you use your LG Smart TV with UltraVPN, as its servers perform excellently to guarantee top speeds.
This fast speed means that UltraVPN is an excellent choice for streaming, even on Smart TVs.
If you’re using a Smart TV, one of the most enjoyable features is the ability to stream on different websites. Now, streaming at slow speeds can be frustrating as the content would take time to buffer, thus breaking the flow. But with UltraVPN, you are guaranteed a smooth and enjoyable experience on your LG Smart TV. What’s more? Its ability to unblock different geo-restrictions means that you can now access a wider variety of content on your LG Smart TV. So, for example, if you’re outside Japan and looking to access some Japanese content (perhaps anime), Ultra VPN is one of the VPNs that can help you.
All these features would be null and void if this provider cannot deliver on one front – security. Thankfully, it checks that box as well. UltraVPN uses a 256-bit encryption algorithm that ensures that your data is safe, regardless of what you do on your LG Smart TV. Additionally, it has an automatic kill-switch, which keeps your data secure in the event of a connection failure. Finally, the provider keeps no user logs, so there’s no risk of your data getting into the wrong hands.
Luckily, UltraVPN’s pricing goes as low as $3.75 per month if you opt for the yearly plan. Therefore, you can protect your LG Smart TV with a VPN without any significant strain on your pocket. However, this won’t be a direct connection because ULTRAVPN doesn’t have dedicated apps for LG Smart TV. Instead, you’ll have to use a compatible router. You can also simultaneously connect many non-TV devices. Finally, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions and active customer service for all challenges you might encounter using it on your LG Smart TV.
- Pros: Firewall; Apps for all devices; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: €2.99
Why Do I Need a VPN for my LG Smart TV?
The LG Smart TV comes with a lot of apps that make the viewing experience much more convenient and pleasurable for the viewer and the user. However, these apps can be restricted to specific regions or countries, making them inaccessible to those outside of the intended regions. Imagine Netflix Japan being inaccessible to you wherever you are, thus making you unable to watch any of your favorite animes.
A Virtual Private Network provides a solution to this by bypassing such restrictions and enabling you access to your favorite shows and content online. So, if you are still wondering why you need a VPN for your LG Smart TV then the answer is simply this; without a VPN to mask your location and create the illusion that you are in a different location than you are, you will not be able to take full advantage of your Smart TV.
In short, you need a VPN for your LG Smart TV for security and protection while you’re online, access to content that would otherwise be restricted as a result of your location, online anonymity as there are certain acts such torrenting that can attract a fine or worse, jail time if caught.
How do I set up a VPN on LG Smart TV?
Sadly, it is not possible to install a VPN app directly onto the LG Smart TV. This is because of the operating system (OS) on it. Most VPN providers only create apps for major platforms such as Windows, Android, iOS, etc. It would be quite impractical for them to develop applications for all the operating systems available today. However, all hope is not lost. There is an easy workaround that makes it possible for you to take advantage of the providers shared above.
There are different ways to go about using a VPN on your LG Smart TV. Here, we’ll share the two main ones. The first involves the use of a configurable router. In this case, you’ll install the VPN provider you choose on your router and then connect your TV to it. The other option involves using your computer as a virtual router; that is, you’ll set up your computer to share its internet connection with your TV. Then, you’ll install the VPN on your computer. Thus, you will have all the benefits that come with a VPN on your Smart TV.
Could Smart TVs Be Hit by Cyber Attacks?
Smart TVs are electronic devices and ostensibly could be the subject of cyberattacks. In fact, in some spaces, Smart TVs are regarded as being no different from computers or smartphones when it comes to accessibility of the internet and streaming platforms. So, can a Smart TV be the subject of a cyber attack? The answer is not quite clear-cut.
On the one hand, Smart TVs come with some safety measures which fortify them against cyber attacks. Firstly, ransomware, specifically, may not work fully on a Smart TV because the tech used in building Smart TVs differs from the one used for PCs and smartphones. Furthermore, the fact that the operating systems of TVs are in the read-only format also helps.
However, several researchers have speculated that these devices could indeed be subjects of external targeted attacks, regardless of the safety measures in place. For instance, some Smart TVs versions cannot detect when commands are coming from the device’s remote control and when it is coming from a third party. Hence, an external source could indeed take control of one’s Smart TV from a remote location. This could portend problems ranging from showing inappropriate content to children, tampering with online presentations, and any other disruptive activity that catches the fancy of the hijacker.
Furthermore, according to some reports by the FBI, some Smart TVs can act as a backdoor to different networks. Thus, they could be specifically targeted to get to other systems apart from the Smart TV itself.
You will be able to avoid all of these if you get a VPN to protect your Smart TV connection. It might not be a great idea to rely on the protection offered by the TV manufacturers.
In conclusion
The LG Smart TV has a lot of features that make the viewing experience worthwhile and pleasurable; however, issues arising from security, protection while being online can make your Smart TV susceptible to cyber-attack as well as fraud. Using not just any VPN, but the best ensures that you can utilize the full features available to you on your Smart TV. You remain safe while connected to the internet, irrespective of where you are.