Alternatively, you can install a VPN on your
router, as our reader suggested. A router provides
VPN protection to every device on your network
and is especially useful for devices that can’t run
VPNs on their own, such as smart bulbs or other
IoT devices. It also lets you spoof the location of
all your devices—including a connected smart TV.
Most VPNs provide instructions on how to set up
a VPN on your router or will outright sell you a
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VPN. I don’t recommend this approach for most
people. Banks, streaming services, and other sites
and services often block VPNs outright. If you
encounter that, and the VPN is running on your
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prefer to simply run VPNs on individual devices,
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One more note: Streaming from a computer to a
Chromecast or another streaming media device
isn’t possible with a VPN. That’s because these
devices generally work only with other devices on
the same Wi-Fi network. When the VPN is
switched on, the data is encrypted and piped out
of your network, meaning you won’t be able to
connect to a local streaming device. Some VPNs
have advanced settings that allow access to LAN
devices, but a general rule of thumb is that you’ll
have to power down your VPN before you can
cast content to your TV.
BUT IS IT MORAL?
Using a VPN to access blocked streaming content
appears to be legal, but it sometimes violates a
company’s terms of service. That aside, I think it’s
worth pondering whether doing so is moral. Now,
I am extremely not a lawyer, so don’t rely on this
Max Eddy
Streaming
from a comput-
er to a Chrome-
cast or another
streaming
media device
isn’t possible
with a VPN.
