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Surfshark has just rolled out a solution for your streaming woes. The VPN provider, which consistently offers one of the best VPN deals around, has released its app for the latest-generation of Fire TV Stick from Amazon.
This is powered by a new operating system called Vega OS.
Amazon decided to make the switch to gain more control over the operating system, which it says has enabled smoother performance from less powerful chipsets. For viewers, that means affordable devices — like the Fire TV Stick 4K Select — offer speedy app launches and smooth multitasking.
But for those looking to install a VPN to swerve bandwidth restrictions, unlock apps or content that's banned in certain countries, or block behind-the-scenes tracking from advertisers, there were no apps available for Vega OS. Yes, despite these popular apps being a staple on Fire TV Sticks for years, the category was absent from the newest Fire TV Stick.
The team at Surfshark has built an entirely new app to support Vega OS, bringing the award-winning VPN to the new Fire TV Stick 4K Select, and any future devices running the operating system planned by Amazon. Since it's been built from the ground up, Surfshark warns that it "currently offers only core VPN capabilities".
This is something we saw with NordVPN, which was the first to launch a brand-new app for Vega OS devices, and we'd expect more functionality to be added in the coming weeks and months.
Dubbed Surfshark VPN for Vega OS, the new app can be downloaded from the Amazon Appstore and will work alongside your existing devices. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you'll be able to sign-in with a single account and protect your smart TV, phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices.
Protect your streaming with a VPN from Surfshark
If you're looking for some of the lowest monthly bills around, look no further than the award-winning Surfshark VPN. It's cut monthly subscription prices by 80%. Not only that, but Surfshark will also bundle an extra three months at the end of a two-year plan, dropping the effective cost to just £1.48 per month. Surfshark lets you use your subscription across unlimited devices.
Want to get started on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select? Here's what you need to know:
- Open the app store on your Vega OS Fire TV Stick device
- Search for Surfshark and select the app
- Download and install it
- Log in with your Surfshark account
- Connect to a server
Surfshark has added support for its WireGuard protocol to the Vega OS app, promising "fast, stable, and secure connections" from your television.
Why would you want to run a VPN on your television? By encrypting your connection and masking your IP address, VPNs can help prevent tracking, reduce throttling from your broadband supplier, and unlock geo-restricted content from other regions.
When used together, a Fire TV Stick and VPN can offer faster, safer, and more flexible streaming — whether you’re at home or travelling abroad. For example, if you’re travelling abroad and can’t watch GB News live from anywhere or access your usual UK apps, a VPN lets you connect back home and stream as normal. On shared or public Wi-Fi, like in Airbnbs or hotels, a VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your viewing habits private.
Designed and built by Amazon, the Fire TV Stick is a small, plug-and-play streaming device that slots into your TV’s HDMI port and instantly turns it into a smart TV.
Instead of switching between apps or devices, everything lives in one place — Netflix for a Friday movie night, BBC iPlayer for catch-up, YouTube for quick background viewing, or Prime Video for new releases. It also supports game streaming, social media, and brings chatty AI Alexa to your telly, so you can control smart home gadgets from the comfort of the sofa.
The smart TV user base is expected to surge by 45-47% over the coming four years, which could mean a rise in attacks
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The rising popularity of these smart TVs is becoming a bigger target for cybercriminals, and the numbers tell the story. The user base is expected to surge by 45-47% over the coming four years, which could mean a rise in attacks. Fraudsters were recently caught hiding malware in TV streaming apps.
Justas Pukys, Senior Product Manager at Surfshark, said, "By encrypting all your streaming activity, the VPN fully protects you from snoopers like internet service providers, third parties, and bad actors. This ensures your traffic is secure, and your streaming habits and personal data are private, known only to you."
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One of the most common tricks hackers use is called a Man-in-the-Middle attack. Essentially, someone intercepts the data flowing between your telly and streaming services, potentially swiping your login details or even payment information.
It gets riskier when you're away from home, too. Using your Fire TV Stick at hotels, Airbnbs, or on public Wi-Fi puts you in the crosshairs of hackers who monitor these networks for personal data.
And if you have several devices at home, you're covered. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect your Fire TV Stick, phones, laptops, and tablets all under a single account. Surfshark isn't the only VPN provider to provide an app for Fire TV Sticks. NordVPN became the first to release an app compatible with these streaming gadgets.
Protect your streaming with a subscription to NordVPN
For a limited time, NordVPN is offering a generous 75% discount on its VPN subscriptions. That drops the effective monthly price of this award-winner to just £2.29. Since you'll need to commit to a two-year plan to unlock the maximum savings, Nord offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions
Notable features from NordVPN include double VPN encryption, Threat Protection, and Onion Over VPN, which enhance user security and anonymity. In 2022, NordVPN was recognised as one of TIME's Best Inventions, underscoring its innovative approach to cybersecurity.
Like Surfshark, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can treat this no-quibbles cooling-off period like a one-month free trial — giving you enough time to carefully consider whether the VPN subscription you've chosen is right for you. Customer support is available 24/7 so you'll be able to flag any issues, ask any questions, or cancel any time — no matter what timezone you're in.
ExpressVPN also offers a VPN on Amazon's Appstore — compatible with all versions of Fire TV and Fire TV Sticks that rely on the older Android-based operating system. However, it's important to note that ExpressVPN's app is not compatible with the Vega OS software system, so those with a Fire TV Stick 4K Select will need to wait or look for an alternative.
Protect your streaming with a VPN from ExpressVPN
Protect your personal information and encrypt everything you do online for just £1.99 with the latest ExpressVPN deal. That equates to 6p per day, trouncing NordVPN, its biggest competitor
ExpressVPN adds military-grade encryption across up to 10x devices, including iPhone, Android, Linux, Windows, Mac, Fire TV, and dozens more, to secure your internet traffic from prying eyes, advertisers, and governments. You'll benefit from an extra 4 months free with a two-year plan
ExpressVPN is particularly well-suited for streaming, gaming and protecting your privacy as it boasts VPN server locations in 105 countries, providing access to global coverage.
It offers ultra-fast speeds on a 10-Gbps network, essential for high-quality streaming without buffering. With military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and features like split tunnelling and a kill switch, your online activity stays private.
Based in the British Virgin Islands — outside Five Eyes jurisdiction — it avoids mandatory data retention laws, which means that even if the company were collecting data (it's not), law enforcement from the UK and US would be unable to compel ExpressVPN to hand over any information about its subscribers.
ExpressVPN's app is compatible with all versions of Fire TV and Fire TV Sticks 3rd generation or newer
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ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and routers. There's no limit on the number of ExpressVPN apps that you can download on your devices, and with a single subscription, you can connect to the VPN on 10x gadgets at the same time.
It also has a dedicated team that optimises the service for major streaming platforms. Round-the-clock customer support is available if you encounter any issues during race weekend.