Last Updated on June 21, 2022
Kodi is a fantastic open-source home theater software that is trusted by over 30 million users worldwide! With Kodi, you can enjoy a wide variety of TV shows, movies, podcasts, music, and other forms of media entertainment online for free.
While Kodi itself is secure and safe to use, many people like the added security and safety that a VPN can provide. If you are one of those people, you are in the right place. Here, we will explain all about Kodi’s security, what a VPN is, the added security a VPN can provide your information, and how to add a VPN to Kodi.
Whether you are a pro at adding VPNs to devices and software or a newbie just starting on their data protection journey, we welcome you. You will leave this page feeling like you fully understand all the steps to adding a VPN to Kodi, as well as the benefits of VPNs.
So if you are thinking, “how do I get a VPN onto my Kodi?”
Read on to find out.
Contents
How to Set Up a VPN on Kodi
There are three ways to install a VPN on Kodi. We will go over each of the three ways so that you can pick the method you understand the best.
The first thing you will need for all three methods is a VPN. You can get one by signing up for a VPN service. There are plenty of fantastic VPN services that you can subscribe to. Do your research and find one that fits your budget. You can also ask customer services to double-check that the VPN service you are subscribing to is compatible with Kodi.
Method #1: Use a VPN Application
The first way you can install a VPN on Kodi is by using a VPN application. This means you are bringing your VPN service provider to Kodi through a simple app that can be downloaded. This is probably the easiest method, and if you already have a VPN subscription, it should not take too long at all!
First, you need to go to the webpage of your VPN provider on Kodi. Once you are there, download the VPN app onto your Kodi device.
Second, complete the installation of the app onto your device. Usually, this means clicking an “install” button. Next, you just open the VPN application and enter your login information. Once you are signed in, find the server you want and click on connect. Now your VPN is running on Kodi.
Method #2: Use Kodi VPN Add-ons
You can use a Kodi built-in VPN add-ons as well, which means that your Kodi traffic will travel through a VPN connection. To do this:
- Start up Kodi
- Click ‘add-ons’ from the main menu
- Select ‘download’
- Then select ‘program add-ons’
- From the list of add-ons, choose one that works with your VPN service
- Install the Kodi add-on VPN and open it when it is done installing
- Click on ‘set up private internet access’ and enter your login information
- Hit activate
You are all set!
Method #3: Use a router
The third way is to use a VPN for Kodi through a router. To do this, you will need a router that supports DD-WRT firmware. Once you have installed the DD-WRT firmware to your router, you can go ahead and install a VPN on it.
This method is usually best for people who are not new to using VPNs or routers. There is some background knowledge that you need to have for this, including knowing how to install a DD-WRT firmware onto your router.
Why Do I Need a VPN for Kodi?
Now let’s be clear from the get-go: you do not need a VPN for Kodi, but it is highly suggested. VPNs are recommended for a lot of different open-source media and entertainment sources because they can be highly susceptible to cyber-attacks.
Kodi appears like a highly safe option, and it is safe. But there is a way to boost security and your peace of mind. Of course, we are talking about adding a VPN.
It boosts security
The Kodi software is one of the hottest players in the entertainment sector, but you can do more to protect your devices. Kodi is vulnerable to MITM attacks (man-in-the-middle attacks), where a hacker locates the communication between two parties, intercepts it, relays the data, and alters the communications.
The man-in-the-middle attack is a fairly common method of spreading malware that can damage your devices or mine your data. However, it is easier for hackers to do MITM attacks with Kodi because Kodi’s update system is entirely performed over HTTP without encryption. That means if a hacker has intercepted the traffic of an update, they can send a malware file that gets downloaded when you approve the update.
A VPN can help prevent attacks like this because it hides your data traffic. If there is no communication to intercept and alter, there is no way for a hacker to install malware on your device!
Kodi also has an outdated system of add-ons, which increases the possibility of a MITM cyber attack. Approximately 25% of the add-ons have outdated information and content, are dormant, or are completely dead. However, the Kodi system does not know that they are dead or outdated.
That means Kodi will keep trying to update them unless you clean them out of your system. But because of all these dead or dormant repositories, a hacker can easily find one and then hijack hundred of devices from that one.
You can clean those dead repositories out in a time-consuming and complicated way involving reading the log or routinely checking the add-on portal, or you can get a VPN and hide your data and dead add-ons from hackers wanting to get at hundreds of devices.
These attacks are often quite severe and can lead to a hacker gaining access to usernames and passwords, stealing personal information, or completely taking over your device. Thankfully, as stated before, this is avoidable with a VPN.
What is a VPN?
Let’s dig a bit deeper into what a VPN actually is, what it does, and why you should add a VPN to Kodi. If you already know all about VPNs, then feel free to skip this section.
VPN is an acronym that stands for “Virtual Private Network.” There are two kinds of networks that our devices like smart TVs, smartphones, laptop computers, and tablets can connect to. Those networks are public and private.
When you think of a public network, think of connecting to the wifi at your favorite coffee shop. You are not the only user on the network and other people are using their devices on the same network you are. You do not know these devices or people, and you do not know the security of the coffee shop’s wifi.
That means that the network could be incredibly weak. Your device could be easily accessed by hackers, snoops, or data miners looking to steal your personal information or data activity. Hackers can steal all sorts of data from your device when you connect to a public network, like identification information or credit card information stored on your device, your IP address, your browsing history, passwords and usernames, and more.
That is not to say that every time you connect to public wifi you are going to have your identity stolen, but it sure makes it easier for cyber attacks to take place.
The second type of network is a private network. A private network is like your wifi network. It is password protected with a certain number of security measures taken by your ISP (internet service provider) to prevent hackers and data thieves from getting into your network.
While a private network is way better than a public network, there are still security risks. Your information is often tracked no matter what you do. Your internet service provider tracks your IP address, collects browsing data, and accesses other information about your personal internet use.
What are the benefits of VPNs?
Now is when you find out a VPN can come in handy to help prevent both types of networks from collecting data or cyberattacks! VPNs can also protect your information when using services like Kodi!
Subscribing to a VPN service can help to hide your device information and personal data, like your IP address, to both public networks and your internet service provider. That means you have the free ability to do what you want, on the device you want, and on the network you want!
But how does a VPN work? VPNs can act like an extension or a bridge off of a public network to provide a secure and mobile and/or virtual private network that does not track, log, or store your data at all.
Essentially, there is no way of tracking your data trail or sniffing out your information on both public and private networks. That is why people love VPNs so much! They offer peace of mind and cyber security for a variety of devices and other data users.
Whatever method you pick, you can rest easy knowing that your information and TV shows are protracted by a VPN!
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