What Is Kodi VPN & Top 5 Reasons Why You Need The Best VPN For Kodi

Kodi is an awesome tool, and a Kodi VPN makes it even more awesome. Learn 5 reasons why you need to be using Kodi and why you need a VPN for Kodi; how to install Kodi VPN on Android and other platforms; and why to entrust only the best Kodi VPN like Le VPN for your smart home security and privacy.

5 Reasons Why You Need To Be Using Kodi

Kodi is sweeping the globe. It is the latest app for streaming, storing and playing digital content that will put your smartTV to shame; at least that is what the website says. For real though, Kodi is a next-generation platform for streaming and playing media of all varieties. It isn’t restricted to a type of device or operating system; it is available across a wide range including Windows, OSX, Android, Linux and Raspberry Pi.

One of the most interesting things about Kodi is that it is an open source project. This means that the software is developed by the community for the community and comes with an active forum. Users can easily find discussions on any topic or issue they may have. The project is run by the XBMC/Kodi Foundation and is free to use. For those looking to cut the cord in terms of devices and cable/satellite subscriptions, this is a tool you can really use.

While at first glance you may be saying to yourself, this looks a lot like other media players you may be using, but there is a difference. This platform is really a media-centric web browser meant to manage and play media within a connected, smart-home type environment. With Kodi, users can manage, access and play media from any connected local or online sources from one location and then stream it to any device on the network. This means you can use a smart-remote, smartphone, tablet or laptop as a single uber remote for all your devices, music and movies with output on that device, or any device within range.

1. Music – Kodi organizes and supports virtually all forms of music storage. Albums are stored with cover art, liner notes and extra features. Create playlists, party mixes and more.
2. Movies – Movies are stored and displayed with artwork, cast lists and special features.
3. TV – Kodi can organize your TV watching so that you can keep up with the latest shows, or prep for serious binge watching. Use the PVR add-on to record and playback favorite shows.
4. Photos – Photos can be displayed on the biggest screen in the house. You can create slideshows and more.
5. Radio – Stream Internet radio and control it all from your mobile phone.

Kodi Is Fully Customizable

Using Kodi is really simple but limited to the files, CDs, DVDs and other media you already own. The basic functions can be enhanced with add-ons that connect Kodi to media libraries such as Hulu, Netflix, the BBC and many others.

One of the benefits of the open source concept is, in fact, the volume of add-ons it allows: if someone can think it there is no reason why someone else can’t code it. To this end Kodi allows users to suggest and request add-ons for specific purposes. If you can’t find what you are looking for just ask. There is also a full-featured Wiki page with links to all the information you could ever hope to find and a handy search function to browse the add-ons already available.

Audio and video add-ons allow users to stream music, podcasts, and video from online sources; skins allow users to customize the appearance of the interface; Programs & Services are useful tools and Web Interfaces provide methods of controlling Kodi over a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or smartphone. Here is a short list of the more popular add-ons in the Kodi arsenal.

• Plex For Kodi – Plex allows users to manage content and stream it to remote devices. It works kind of like a switchboard, accessing media from one location and playing in in another.
• HDHomeRun – HDHomeRun is an app designed specifically for HD media and devices. It scans available media and devices or HD compatibility and displays that information for use. Users can manage and watch media, including streaming channels, on the device of their choice.
• Soundcloud – Soundcloud is an online audio distribution platform that allows users to upload, record and share their original audio files. This app is fun for those who like to make music or other audio-based media; it is also a great place to find music from little known and up-and-coming artists from around the world.
• PS Vue – PS Vue connects Kodi to your PS 2 for streaming to and from that device. It allows access to a vast amount of content without need for cable or satellite subscription which can then be streamed to any device on the home network.
• Pluto.TV – Pluto.TV is a source of free streaming TV. It boasts over 100 channels, 1000s of movie and TV titles on demand as well as live access to news and sports. The add-on connects your Pluto.TV account to Kodi so that you are able to manage and stream content from Pluto.com to any device in the home.
• Rooster Teeth – Rooster Teeth is a website and digital media studio responsible for some of the most popular and longest running web based programming. The add-on connects the website to the Kodi dashboard so users can stream favorite shows and podcasts directly to a device of choice.

Can Kodi Make My Device Burst Into Flames?

According to some misleading reports Kodi may cause your device to burst into flame. The operative word here is misleading. The developers behind Kodi have addressed this issue and assure the public their software is just as safe, free and easy to use as ever before. They point the finger at shock-inducing click bait headlines leading readers to stories of device failure and exploding batteries. What they point out is that while cheap, untested and uncertified devices may in fact burst into flame it is not the fault of Kodi or any software but that of poor manufacturing. The problem for Kodi is that many of these stories are using a stock photo featuring a trusted brand with a Kodi wrapper and not an off-brand black box of dubious manufacture.

Is Kodi Legal?

Kodi is of course legal to use, all you have to do is download it. It is also legal to stream any content you have legal access to such as Netflix and Hulu subscriptions. The problem, if you choose to call it that, is that there are numerous sites allowing dubious and illegal access to content and Kodi apps to support them. Sure, you can stream that content all you like but do you really want your ISP and others logging that information? There isn’t much being done about it now but there have been reports of ISPs in North Wales contacting subscribers who’ve been detected streaming pirated content.

Five Reasons Why You Need VPN for Kodi, Or Why We Hear So Much Of Kodi VPN

As awesome as Kodi is, it is one of the scarier things you can turn loose in your home, office or business. In terms of Internet privacy and security it is as scary as Alexa, that oh so helpful ghost in the machine listening to everything you do and say. The problem is this: Kodi is connected to Internet all the time leaving you vulnerable to attack 24/7.

Further, it’s connected to multiple websites through multiple apps opening you up to any and every security flaw inherent in those apps. If you weren’t aware let me inform you, apps are among the most dangerous uses of the web. They often have limited to no security features, have access to the most sensitive portions of your devices and are connecting to their home networks at will, whether you know it or not.

The type of risks are numerous as well including hacking, geolocation tracking and loss of data. A hacker could monitor web traffic for people using an app with a known flaw. When they see you using that app the may target you for malware or theft. Malware may be as simple as a virus to slow down your connections or as harmful as device killing ransomware. Some hackers have more nefarious intent and may use your connections to geo-locate your children for whatever purpose drives them.

1. Zero Day Threat – A zero day threat is any unreported virus, malware or hack that goes unreported. These hacks represent the front line in the fight against Internet crime and cannot be countered if left unreported. Many major cyber attacks in recent years occurred because the first to experience it did not share the knowledge leaving the public at risk for something that could otherwise have been avoided. A VPN doesn’t make you immune from these threats but it does provide that extra layer of security to keep random websites and software from harming you or your home network.
2. ISP Tracking – Do ISPs watch what you surf? The question is really what are ISPs doing with all the data they collect about you, me and everybody else using the net. Of course ISPs watch what you surf. In most cases they aren’t watching you specifically but the data they collect does include your personal surfing habits and use of the net. They use the data primarily to monitor, manage and maintain their network for the benefit of all users but that’s not all. Some regions allow ISPs to collect and sell what has been termed “non-personally identifiable” information which means that not only are ISPs collecting your data, but they are exploiting it for financial gains. A VPN connection bypasses the ISP servers in a way that lets them know someone is connected but not who, where they are, what they do or what they are connected to.
3. Mask Your ID – Not only do VPNs prevent your ISP from seeing you and what you are doing, they make you anonymous. That way you can stream from any website you want without them knowing who you are or where you are located. They may collect your data but it won’t matter because it will never be associated with you, your ISP account or any other browsing history. They may try to send malware or spyware or adware to your device but they won’t be able to because the IP address they see will be fake. The only sites that will know who you are will be the ones you log into and those are, hopefully, sites that you trust and can be trusted. This may not sound too important but remember this: without a VPN any website and any web user can see your IP address. If they can see your IP address – they can track you and whatever you do. If one person can make a file on you so can others, if those files become aggregated the amount of information about you and your life available to black hat criminals becomes very dangerous.
4. Unlock Georestricted Content – Kodi is all about streaming. You stream from all of your available sources local and online. You stream to all of your connected devices. It only makes sense that you should be able to stream from any country in the world and you can, if you use VPN. The unfortunate truth is that, for any of a number of reasons, a lot of Internet content is geo-restricted. If you don’t live in the UK it’s likely you won’t be watching the full BBC listings just like if you don’t live in the US you can’t see 100% of the Netflix library. VPN helps you get around that problem by masking your IP address. You could, when you log onto your VPN account, choose a server in your own country or you could choose one in the country that you want to stream content from. This gives you an IP from the target nation and a pass to watch whatever content you want.
5. Early access to new releases. If you are into games, the latest hit music and/or the most current movie releases you need a VPN. Many if not all distributors of in-demand content release their products on a region by region basis to ensure maximum profits. A new game may get released in the US before the EU or parts of Asia, a movie from Bollywood may not be available in the US for weeks or months after its India premiere. All you have to do to get around this little inconvenience is log in to a Kodi VPN server in the country in question.

What Is A Kodi VPN And How To Install VPN On Kodi

Technically, you don’t install VPN on Kodi because it is a software product. What you do is install VPN on any device you want to be covered and then use your Kodi VPN over that connection. An even easier solution – installing a VPN on your home/office router so that all the devices connected to that VPN router will be automatically secured with a VPN connection. Le VPN is the best Kodi VPN solution, whether you’re looking for a Kodi Android VPN, iOS or Windows. A single subscription is only a few dollars per month and can be downloaded on an unlimited number of devices. When using the service, you can connect 2 devices at a time with unlimited bandwidth, no data tracking and all the safety/features a VPN can provide.

What’s even better for smart enabled homes, families and businesses is a VPN enabled router, as mentioned earlier. Le VPN can be installed on a number of router models and is even available pre-installed on routers from Sabai Technology and FlashRouters. A VPN enabled router has many advantages over a standard VPN connection. For one, it will allow an unlimited number of devices to connect through the VPN since it is the router connection that is protected and not the individual device connections. For another, devices that do not support VPN installation or cannot be modified with VPN are covered which makes it a great choice for IoT and smart homes.

Le VPN has servers in over 100+ locations, supports 3 VPN protocols and a proprietary HybridVPN designed especially for streaming TV from foreign countries. The HybridVPN uses a tunneling protocol without encryption alongside a SmartDNS system to mask IP addresses and unlock geo-restricted content with the fastest connection speeds possible. Along with this are standard PPTP, L2TP/IPSec and OpenVPN protocols for any Internet surfing needs. The PPTP VPN is great for general web surfing and will keep your connections safe and anonymous. The L2TP over IPSec and OpenVPN come with the enhanced security of encryption for more sensitive Internet use.

By now I am sure that you have come to a couple of realizations. The first is likely something along the lines of Kodi being a really useful tool for home/personal entertainment. It can help organize all those subscriptions and websites you stream content from and the deliver what you want to watch to the device you want to watch it on. Another is probably has something to do with security, how unsafe the Internet is and how Kodi is just another avenue for bad things to happen. Finally, there is VPN and how it can make your Kodi experience richer and safer. If you haven’t come to the conclusion that VPN and Kodi go together let me spell it out for you: VPN and Kodi go together – You need a Kodi VPN. If you don’t have Kodi yet go and download it, right after you protect yourself with a subscription from Le VPN.

*Article Updated On January 4th, 2019.*