The good news is that you do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to choose a VPN. You just need to understand the core features that help protect your connection, keep your browsing more private, and make the VPN easy to use every day.

At Hotspot Shield, these features are built around one simple goal: helping people browse, stream, work, and connect more securely from almost anywhere.

Here are the most important things to look for in a VPN.

1. Strong Encryption

Encryption is one of the most important VPN features. It protects your data by turning it into unreadable code as it travels between your device and the internet.

Without encryption, your online activity may be more exposed, especially on public Wi-Fi networks like those in airports, hotels, cafés, schools, or shared workspaces. With VPN encryption, your connection is better protected from people who may try to view or intercept your data.

Hotspot Shield uses AES-256 encryption, a strong encryption standard designed to help secure your connection and protect your data while you browse, stream, shop, work, or use apps online.

That said, it is important to understand what encryption does and what it does not do. AES-256 encryption helps protect the contents of your connection by making your data unreadable to outsiders while it travels through the VPN. This is especially helpful on unsecured networks, where unprotected data may be easier for others to intercept.

However, encryption alone does not make a VPN “perfect” or guarantee complete online privacy. A secure VPN should also include features like a kill switch, IP and DNS leak protection, reliable VPN protocols, strong server security, and clear privacy practices. AES-256 is an important piece of VPN security, but it works best as part of a broader set of privacy and protection tools.

What to look for: Choose a VPN that clearly explains what type of encryption it uses, but do not stop there. For beginners, AES-256 encryption is a strong sign that the VPN is built with security in mind, but it should be paired with other protections, such as leak prevention and a kill switch.

2. A VPN Kill Switch

A kill switch is a VPN safety feature that helps protect you if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops.

If the VPN disconnects, a kill switch automatically blocks internet traffic until the VPN reconnects. This helps prevent your real IP address or unprotected traffic from being exposed by accident.

Think of it like an emergency brake for your internet connection.

Hotspot Shield has a kill switch feature to help prevent interruptions from turning into privacy risks.

What to look for: Choose a VPN with a kill switch, especially if you use public Wi-Fi, travel often, work remotely, or want extra protection against accidental exposure.

3. Fast and Reliable Performance

Speed matters because a VPN routes your traffic through a secure server before it reaches the internet. This extra step can affect performance, but a well-designed VPN should minimize slowdowns.

A fast VPN is necessary for everyday activities like streaming, browsing, downloading, gaming, video calling, and using apps while traveling.

Hotspot Shield is designed for high-speed VPN performance and uses its proprietary Hydra protocol, which is built to support speed, reliability, and performance across everyday online activities.

Hotspot Shield Premium also includes access to 1,800+ servers and 125+ virtual locations, giving users more flexibility when choosing where to connect.

What to look for: Choose a VPN with a strong server network, fast connection performance, and technology designed to reduce slowdowns.

4. Device Support

Most people do not use the internet from just one device. You may have a phone, laptop, tablet, desktop computer, smart TV, or multiple household devices that need protection.

A good VPN should make it easy to protect multiple devices with a single subscription.

Hotspot Shield is available across a variety of operating systems, including iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chrome, Linux, and smart TVs. Hotspot Shield Premium supports up to 10 device connections, making it practical for people who want VPN protection across multiple devices.

What to look for: Choose a VPN that works on the devices you use every day and offers enough connections for your personal or household needs.

5. Easy Setup and Everyday Use

A VPN should not feel complicated. The best VPN for beginners should be easy to install, simple to connect to, and clear enough to use without technical knowledge.

A beginner-friendly VPN should make it easy to download the app, sign in, connect to a VPN server, change virtual locations, and manage security settings.

Hotspot Shield is designed to be simple to use, so beginners can connect quickly without needing to understand complicated networking terms.

What to look for: Choose a VPN with a simple app experience and clear controls. You should not need to be a tech expert just to protect your connection.

6. IP and DNS Leak Protection

A VPN helps protect your privacy by masking your IP address. Your IP address can reveal information such as your general location and internet service provider.

However, a VPN should also include protections that help prevent your IP address or DNS requests from leaking outside the VPN connection.

Hotspot Shield includes IP leak protection and DNS leak protection to help reduce accidental exposure while using the VPN.

What to look for: Choose a VPN that includes IP and DNS leak protection, especially if online privacy is one of your main reasons for using a VPN.

7. Smart VPN and Split Tunneling

Some VPNs let you choose which apps or websites use the VPN connection and which ones connect normally. This feature is often called split tunneling.

Hotspot Shield includes Smart VPN split tunneling, which allows users to designate certain apps and websites that bypass the VPN connection.

This can be useful when you want VPN protection for some activities while keeping other apps connected directly for convenience or performance.

What to look for: If you want more control over how your VPN works, look for a VPN with split tunneling or Smart VPN features.

8. Extra Privacy and Security Features

Beyond the basics, some VPNs include additional features that improve privacy, security, or performance.

Hotspot Shield includes features such as:

• Zero-logs policy 
• Traffic obfuscation to help disguise VPN traffic
• Tor over VPN support
• P2P/torrent support
• Malware protection
• Personalized modes for Gaming and Streaming
• 24/7 customer support

Not every beginner needs every advanced feature right away, but it helps to choose a VPN that can support more use cases as your needs grow.

What to look for: Start with the essentials, then consider whether you want advanced features for streaming, gaming, torrenting, travel, or added privacy.

Quick Checklist: What to Look for in a VPN

When comparing VPNs, focus on these beginner-friendly essentials:

• Strong encryption, such as AES-256 encryption
• A kill switch to help prevent accidental exposure
• Fast performance for streaming, browsing, downloads, and gaming
• Support for multiple devices
• Easy setup and simple app controls
• IP and DNS leak protection
• A reliable server network
• Split tunneling or Smart VPN controls
• Clear privacy and security features

Is Hotspot Shield a Good VPN for Beginners?

Hotspot Shield can be a strong choice for beginners because it combines important VPN features with an easy-to-use app experience.

It includes AES-256 encryption, an internet kill switch, IP leak protection, DNS leak protection, Smart VPN split tunneling, access to 1,800+ servers, 125+ virtual locations, and support for up to 10 device connections on Premium plans.

For someone new to VPNs, the most important thing is choosing a service that is simple enough to use every day and offers the features that matter. Hotspot Shield is designed for everyday users who want a faster, more private, and more secure internet connection without a complicated setup.

Bottom Line

If you are wondering what to look for in a VPN, start with the basics: encryption, kill switch protection, speed, device support, ease of use, and leak protection.

AES-256 encryption is an important security feature because it helps make your data unreadable while it travels through the VPN connection. But the best VPN experience comes from combining encryption with other protections, including a kill switch, IP and DNS leak protection, reliable protocols, and clear privacy practices.

Hotspot Shield includes these core VPN features, making it a beginner-friendly option for everyday browsing, streaming, travel, remote work, gaming, and online privacy.

FAQ

What encryption does Hotspot Shield use?

Hotspot Shield uses AES-256 encryption to help protect your connection and keep your data more secure while using the VPN.

Is AES-256 encryption enough to make a VPN secure?

AES-256 encryption is a strong security feature, but it is not the only thing that matters. A secure VPN should also include features like a kill switch, IP and DNS leak protection, reliable protocols, strong server security, and clear privacy practices.

What is the most important feature to look for in a VPN?

Strong encryption is one of the most important VPN features because it helps protect your data as it travels across the internet. A kill switch, leak protection, speed, and ease of use are also important when choosing a VPN.

What does a VPN kill switch do?

A VPN kill switch blocks internet traffic if your VPN connection unexpectedly disconnects. This helps prevent your real IP address or any unprotected traffic from being exposed during a VPN reconnection.

Does a VPN slow down your internet?

A VPN can slightly affect internet speed because your data is routed through a secure server. However, a performance-focused VPN is designed to minimize slowdowns and support everyday activities such as browsing, streaming, downloading, gaming, and video calls. Hotspot Shield is built for fast VPN performance and uses its proprietary Hydra protocol to help deliver secure, reliable connections with minimal slowdown.

How many devices does Hotspot Shield Premium support?

Hotspot Shield Premium supports up to 10 device connections, making it useful for people who want VPN protection across phones, computers, tablets, and other supported devices.

What is Smart VPN split tunneling?

Smart VPN split tunneling lets you choose certain apps or websites that bypass the VPN connection. This gives you more control over which online activities use the VPN and which connect directly.

Is Hotspot Shield good for beginners?

Yes. Hotspot Shield is beginner-friendly because it offers simple apps along with core VPN features such as AES-256 encryption, kill switch protection, IP and DNS leak protection, fast VPN servers, Smart VPN controls, and multi-device support on Premium plans.

This is where a VPN can help.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. Think of it like a private tunnel. Instead of your internet traffic traveling openly across the network, it passes through this secure tunnel first.

For travelers who want smooth streaming, performance is extremely important. Buffering, lag, or slow connections can ruin the experience. That’s why our community chooses Hotspot Shield.

How Hotspot Shield Supports Better Streaming Performance

Hotspot Shield is designed with speed and performance in mind. It uses a proprietary high-speed protocol, Hydra, designed to maintain strong, stable connections, even on crowded networks such as those in hotels or airports.

Key benefits for streaming:

• Unlimited bandwidth on free or premium plans
• High-speed performance design
• Large network of virtual locations (Over 125+ virtual locations with Premium)
• Strong encryption for security (AES 256 Encryption) 

Unlimited bandwidth means there are no artificial caps limiting how much you can stream. That’s important if you enjoy watching multiple episodes or streaming in HD.

What is Encryption? 

Encryption is a way to protect your data by scrambling it so others cannot read it. 

Imagine sending a message inside a locked box. Even if someone intercepts the box, they cannot open it without the key. That is essentially how encryption works.

When using public Wi-Fi, encryption adds an important layer of protection.

Is Hotspot Shield Right for You?

Hotspot Shield is designed for anyone who wants a faster, more secure, and more reliable internet experience. Whether you are streaming at home, browsing on public Wi-Fi, gaming, working remotely, or traveling internationally, performance and security matter.

Hotspot Shield is especially well-suited for:

• Frequent travelers
• People who regularly stream movies, shows, or live content
• Users connecting through hotel or public Wi-Fi
• Anyone looking for both speed and security online

With high-speed performance powered by the proprietary Hydra protocol and strong encryption for added protection, Hotspot Shield is built to support everyday internet users while also meeting the needs of people who rely heavily on stable, high-performance connections on the go.

Ready to Stream Without Interruptions?

Try Hotspot Shield Premium and experience our high-performance Streaming Protocol, built for smoother streaming, faster speeds, and more reliable connections while traveling.

How to get a Finnish IP address in minutes

1. Before we begin, you’ll need a Hotspot Shield Family or Premium Family plan. If you’re not already registered, you can do so on our sign up page
2. Download and install Hotspot Shield. Each subscription lets you connect five simultaneous connections, so feel free to add the app to any devices you use often
3. Log in and choose one of our high-speed Finnish servers
4. Wait for a few seconds until you’re successfully connected
5. Congratulations, you’re now browsing with a Finnish IP address. Better still, your traffic is encrypted, meaning it can’t be read by your ISP, government, or employer. 

Why should you use a VPN in Finland?

People tend to assume that their browsing habits are private but that’s not actually true. Your ISP can see every site you visit, how long you spend there, and how often you return to it. Public wifi isn’t any more anonymous, since these simply allow the hotspot owner (and their ISP) to monitor your activities instead. Additionally, hotspot owners can block whatever websites they like, meaning you may not even be able to access the content you were looking for. 

VPNs sidestep both of these problems by encrypting your data. Since nobody else has access to the (effectively impossible to guess) decryption key, they can’t see what you get up to online, and can’t tell if you’re trying to visit a site that’s been blacklisted. In other words, once you connect to a VPN, you’re free to access whatever you like safe in the knowledge that nobody is looking over your shoulder. 

Finland actually has one of the lowest malware infection rates in the world. However, attackers are constantly evaluating their methods and finding new approaches, so it only takes one mistake to find yourself at risk. 

Hotspot Shield takes some of this workload off your hands by scanning websites for malware and identifying phishing attempts automatically. It’ll even let you know if you’re on a legitimate website that has been compromised somehow. And as for those innovative attackers? We’re already blocking over three million shady websites and the list gets longer every day. 

Here’s why Hotspot Shield is the best VPN for Finland

There’s nothing worse than signing up for a VPN only to find out at the last second that it won’t let you browse the internet the way you want. Perhaps it has a strict data cap or forbids users from torrenting. Maybe it’s too slow to be useful or doesn’t work with your favorite streaming services. 

We’re all about keeping things simple. Subscribers can browse and torrent as much as they like, on any server. We even have specially-configured servers for streaming and gaming so you can spend less time in the menus and more time doing the things you like. Best of all, Hotspot Shield works in places where most other VPNs don’t, like China and the United Arab Emirates. 

Speedy, secure servers that won’t let you down

People have come to expect slow speeds from their VPN, but we’ve proven again and again that this doesn’t have to be the case. Our custom protocol, Hydra, was built from the ground up with speed in mind, and delivers significantly higher speeds than OpenVPN, even over long distances. In fact, Ookla, the world’s most popular speed testing service, found that its speeds actually increased 26 percent while using Hotspot Shield. 

Of course, although Hotspot Shield was shown to be more than twice as fast as its nearest rival, we didn’t stop there. Our team has made a huge number of behind-the-scenes tweaks to keep our network running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. The result is quick, reliable Finnish servers that are suitable for any task you have in mind. 

How to stream Finnish TV with a VPN

If you’re traveling abroad, you might have noticed that some of your usual streaming services don’t work anymore. Alternatively, they might have an entirely different selection of content. Web blocking can happen on a smaller scale too, with some workplaces restricting access to sites like Facebook. 

It’s actually pretty easy to regain access to your usual services, though: just connect to a VPN. Not only can you bypass web-blocking tools, but you’ll appear to be wherever your chosen server is. In other words, using a server in Finland will allow you to stream Viaplay, YLE Areena, Ruutu, C More, Netflix, HBO, and Disney+ from anywhere in the world. 

How to change your IP address in Finland (or anywhere else)

Here’s how to get a new IP address while traveling in Finland:

1. Log into the Hotspot Shield app
2. Click on the arrow in the Virtual location box to open the server list
    
3. Type “Finland” (without quotes) into the search bar, or just scroll down until you see it in the list
    
4. Click the Finland button, then hover over “Finland” on the next page. Click the Connect button on the right-hand side of the screen
    
5. The app will now try to connect you to the best available Finnish server. When it’s done, you’ll see another screen with information such as your new IP address, current session length, and peak speed
    
6. That’s all there is to it. You now appear to be browsing the web from Finland, and since your traffic is encrypted, your browsing history is hidden from hackers, your ISP, and the owner of any public networks you might use. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I watch with a Finnish VPN?

Most streaming services are geo-restricted these days. Some simply won’t work unless you have a Finnish IP address, while others offer entirely new content in Finland. Here are a few of the channels that you’ll be able to stream while connected to a Finnish VPN server:

• Netflix
• C More
• Viaplay
• YLE Areena
• Amazon Prime Video
• Discovery+
• Ruutu
• HBO
• Disney+

Do I need a VPN if I live in Finland? 

There’s no such thing as too much privacy, especially given that the Finnish government has been slowly expanding its online surveillance capabilities for the past few years. Even if you’re not concerned about people seeing your browsing habits, you might want to consider what could happen if a hacker intercepted sensitive information, such as login credentials. A VPN’s encryption prevents this, allowing you to browse safely even on poorly-secured public wifi. 

What else can a VPN do for you?

Although most people use VPNs to enhance their online privacy, these services can help in several other ways. They enable users to torrent anonymously, for instance, and to access their usual content in places where it might not normally be available. The Hydra protocol even allows you to browse the web and communicate freely in countries with strict online censorship. 

There’s more! VPNs protect against a wide range of online threats, including Man-in-the-Middle or denial of service attacks. Further, with our new anti-malware and anti-phishing tools, Hotspot Shield is an invaluable tool for keeping your devices and personal data safe. 

How to get an IP address from Israel in five easy steps

1. Before we begin, you’ll need a Premium or Family Premium subscription. Head over to our sign up page to get started
2. Download the Hotspot Shield app, making sure to add it to any device you use regularly
3. When you’re ready, log in and select one of our Israeli servers
4. Wait until the screen changes, indicating that you’ve connected successfully
5. That’s all there is to it. The websites you visit will now think you’re in Israel. What’s more, your internet traffic is encrypted, meaning it’s hidden from anyone who might be watching

How can using a VPN in Israel help you?

There’s actually a fairly lengthy list of people who can tell what you get up to online. Most offices and public wifi hotspots keep activity logs that can be traced back to a specific user. Your Internet Service Provider does too, and can even hazard a guess at your activities based on the way your traffic looks. This allows it to reduce your speeds when you do things like streaming or torrenting. 

A VPN helps keep your activities anonymous by hiding you behind a new IP address. Additionally, they encrypt your data, meaning it can’t be intercepted by anyone with the (effectively uncrackable) decryption key. This can help prevent an attacker from stealing sensitive information like login details and also makes it significantly less likely that your ISP will throttle your connection.

Cybercriminals target people all over the world, but some countries are more attractive targets than others. In fact, in the first half of 2021, Israel suffered more than twice the number of cybersecurity attacks than the global average. This problem continued throughout the rest of the year too, with Israelis submitting over 600 percent more ransomware samples for analysis than the year prior. 

Hotspot Shield doesn’t just protect your browsing history, it protects your devices too. It does this by scanning sites for malware, preventing you from inadvertently infecting your system. Notably, we don’t just account for shady websites (although we block more than three million of these automatically) – our malware-prevention also checks to see if legitimate websites have been compromised. Finally, Hotspot Shield detects phishing sites for you, meaning you can login to all of your favorite services without worrying about whether the sign in page is real or not. 

Here’s why Hotspot Shield is the best VPN for Israel

Not all VPNs are built equally. In fact, there are plenty that don’t even have servers in Israel! It’s also not uncommon to run into unresponsive support staff, usage restrictions (such as a blanket ban on torrenting), or vaguely-worded logging policies. Needless to say, none of these inspires confidence. 

Hotspot Shield does things differently. We’ve specially optimized servers for streaming and gaming so that there’s as little guesswork as possible. Users are free to torrent as much as they like on any server, and our privacy policy is clearly laid out for anyone to see. We also provide around-the-clock support just in case you run into any issues.

Fast, secure servers in Israel

One of the biggest complaints users have about VPNs is that they’re too slow. This is understandable: nobody wants to deal with laggy streams or random disconnections, after all. There’s no need to worry, though; Hotspot Shield’s network has been finely tuned to provide the fastest, most efficient connections possible. We’ve even developed our own protocol, Hydra, which is quicker than OpenVPN, even over long distances. 

So how fast are we talking? Well, during Ookla’s Speedtest Awards, Hotspot Shield was actually found to increase speeds by 26 percent, whereas its rivals decreased speeds. In real terms, we were 2.2x faster than the VPN in second place, delivering an average speed of over 400 Mbps.

How to stream Israeli TV using a VPN

If you use public hotspots often, you may have noticed that certain services are inaccessible. This is because the hotspot owner is able to place whatever limits they like on the kind of content you can see. For instance, you might not be able to use Facebook at work, torrent in a cafe, or access a particular online game while staying at a hotel. 

After connecting to a VPN, your traffic becomes unreadable, which stops this kind of web-blocking from working. As such, you’ll be able to securely stream Now 14, Kan 11, Channel 13, Netflix, Sdarot, Disney+, and more, wherever you go. 

How to change your IP address in Israel (or anywhere else)

Just follow these steps to get an Israel IP address as you travel:

1. First off, open the Hotspot Shield app  
2. Click on the arrow in the Virtual location box to open the server list
    
3. Type “Israel” (without the quotation marks) into the search bar or scroll down until you see Israel in the list
    
4. Click the Israel button, then hover over “Israel” on the following page. Click Connect on the right-hand side of the screen.
    
5. The app will now try to connect you to the best-available server. Once a connection has been established, the screen will update to show your new IP address and various other pieces of useful information like your top speed and how long you’ve been connected.
    
6. You now have an Israeli IP address, meaning you can access Israel-only services from anywhere. Your traffic is also encrypted at this point, so there’s no need to worry about hackers, your ISP, or hotspot owners monitoring your activities. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I watch with an Israel VPN?

There are a handful of streaming services that require an Israeli IP address for you to watch anything, and plenty more that have entirely different content for users in Israel. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can watch while connected to an Israeli server:

• Sdarot
• Channel 13
• Kan 11
• Now 14
• Channel 12
• Netflix
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video

Do I need a VPN if I live in Israel?

We believe that everyone could benefit from greater online privacy, regardless of where they live. Simply, your browsing habits are nobody’s business but your own. Connecting to a VPN keeps your ISP, employer, or government from keeping tabs on your activities, which can only ever be a good thing. Further, with Israel being so frequently targeted by cybercriminals, it’s a good idea to use some kind of malware and phishing protection (both of which Hotspot Shield offers). 

What else can you do with a VPN?

VPNs are primarily privacy tools but they can help you in several other ways as well. Normally, if you login to your online banking service from abroad, you run the risk of having your account temporarily restricted. However, with a VPN active, you can make it appear as though you’re still at home, potentially saving you a call to the bank. 

Some ISPs have been caught reducing their customers’ speeds when they stream or torrent. However, a VPN’s encryption prevents them from identifying the telltale signs of this activity, meaning they’re much less likely to deliver slower speeds than you pay for. 

How to watch Rai TV online with a VPN

Streaming securely is easier than you might think. Here’s how to watch Rai TV while connected to a VPN:

1. First off, sign up for a Hotspot Shield Premium or Premium Family plan
2. Install Hotspot Shield on any device you stream with regularly
3. Log in, then click the arrow next to Virtual location in the bottom-left
4. Choose Italy, then hover over your desired location and click Connect
5. The app will now try to connect. If successful, you’ll be shown your new IP address and should be able to stream Rai TV as normal. What’s more, thanks to our powerful encryption, your activities will be hidden from hackers, hotspot owners, and your ISP. 

Choosing the best VPN for securely streaming Rai TV

Every VPN is different, which means some are better for streaming than others. You might find that a provider has a monthly data cap, for instance, which means you won’t be able to watch as much as you’d like. Alternatively, they might not provide the Italian servers or high speeds needed for streaming Rai TV.  In short, there’s a lot to consider when deciding which VPN to use. 

The good news is that Hotspot Shield is an excellent choice for Rai TV. We have servers in two Italian cities (Rome and Milan), and they work with DPlay, Mediaset, Netflix, and more. Not only that, but our premium subscribers are free to steam as much as they like, with no speed or bandwidth limits.  

Live streaming: why speed matters

We’ve all struggled with a slow connection at some point, but it’s hard to overstate how important speed is when watching TV online. If your internet is too slow, you could be forced to settle for low-resolution video, assuming the streams even play in the first place. Things get even worse if you’re live streaming, since you’ll likely miss parts of your show while waiting for the video to buffer. 

Generally, you’ll need download speeds of around 5 Mbps to watch live HD video. This rises to 25 Mbps for 4K streaming, and obviously, if multiple people in your home are streaming simultaneously, you’ll want as fast a connection as possible. 

That’s where we come in. As well as being highly secure, Hotspot Shield is also extremely fast. In fact, experts from Speedest.net found that our VPN was more than twice as fast as our nearest rival. More surprisingly, the testers’ speeds actually went up by 26 percent when connected to Hotspot Shield.  So how is this possible? Simply, our team has created a speedy, efficient protocol named Hydra and poured huge amounts of time into optimizing our network for the highest speeds. That’s the kind of dedication to quality you won’t find anywhere else. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a VPN protect all of my devices?

The vast majority of devices can be secured using a VPN. Providers tend to have apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows, with some (like Hotspot Shield) catering to less common platforms too. This might be in the form of a command line-based Linux installer, browser extensions, or dedicated apps for Amazon Fire Sticks. You can usually install a VPN directly on your router too, which will automatically protect every other device on the network.

Why isn’t my VPN working with Rai TV?

There are actually quite a few reasons why you get an error when trying to stream Rai TV with a VPN. Here are some of the most common causes for streaming problems:

• You aren’t using an Italian VPN server
• Rai TV still has access to old location data
• The service has blacklisted the server you’re using
• Rai TV is able to access your GPS or location some other way
• Your VPN needs to be updated
• Your VPN’s stealth mode is turned off, or you’re using the wrong protocol

This all sounds very complicated but there’s a series of things we can do to address all of the things above. Follow the steps below and with a bit of luck, you’ll be securely streaming Rai TV in no time. 

1. Make sure your VPN has been updated to the latest version
2. Go into the settings menu and check that you’re using the Hydra protocol
3. Delete your browser’s cookies or delete the RaiPlay app’s data if you’re on mobile
4. Turn off GPS and location services then connect to an Italian server
5. Try using Rai TV again. If you’re still having problems, repeat these steps but try a different Italian server. Remember: our support staff are available 24/7 and can provide free one-on-one assistance if you need it. 

How else can a VPN help me?

The right VPN can do all kinds of things for you. They provide a layer of protection and privacy that most public wifi hotspots don’t, for instance. Better still, because your traffic is encrypted, any online blocking that a cafe, airport, or hotel puts in place is rendered effectively useless. In other words, you’ll be free to access whatever you want, wherever you want. 

This encryption also helps when it comes to throttling. Internet Service Providers will sometimes reduce your speeds if they detect that you’re streaming or torrenting. Once you connect to a VPN, however, they have no idea what you’re doing, making it much harder to justify slowing down your connection. 

Digital crimes are, unfortunately, on the rise worldwide. With attacks getting more advanced all the time, just staying safe online can seem like a full-time job. However, Hotspot Shield has introduced new tools that can identify phishing attempts and block access to malware-spreading sites automatically, so there’s one less thing to worry about. 

How to get an Italian IP address in five easy steps

1. First, you’ll need a Hotspot Shield Premium or Premium Family account 
2. Download the Hotspot Shield app. Remember, you can install it on as many devices as you like but can only connect five at the same time 
3. Log in and choose a server in Italy
4. After a few seconds, you’ll be connected and the screen will change to show relevant info like your new IP address, session length, and peak speed
5. That’s all there is to it – you now appear to be browsing the web from Italy. Not only that, but your traffic is encrypted, meaning it can’t be read by hackers, your ISP, or anyone else who might be watching

Why should you use a VPN in Italy?

It might surprise you to learn that your Internet Service Provider knows all kinds of information about your browsing habits. For instance, they can see every site you visit and how long you spend there. Not only that, but your traffic can tell an observer whether you’re streaming, torrenting, or gaming. With a VPN active, though, your traffic is encrypted, rendering it unreadable and preventing your ISP  (or any other snoopers) from gleaning any useful data. 

It’s easy to forget that some services are only available in specific countries. For instance, if you go abroad, you won’t be able to stream RaiPlay or DMAX. There is an easy solution, though: simply choose an Italian VPN server to get an Italian IP address. Afterward, you’ll be able to securely access all of your usual Italian services, wherever you are in the world. 

Cybercriminals are constantly refining their techniques and actually tailor their approach based on your location. For instance, Italians are much more likely to be targeted with a mobile banking Trojan than users in other countries. 

Hotspot Shield helps protect you by scanning websites for malware, identifying phishing sites, and blocking access to time-wasting spam sites. These features are available in every version of the software, making it easy to stay protected on-the-go. At the moment, Hotspot Shield blocks more than three million shady websites, though this list is always growing. 

Which Italian server is best for you?

You’ll usually find that the closer your VPN server is, the faster and more reliable your connection will be. Some VPNs only have a single location to choose from, which means you’ll often be forced to compromise on speed to get an IP address from the country you want. Not us, though: 

Hotspot Shield currently has servers in two Italian cities:

• Rome
• Milan

If you’re traveling somewhere in between these cities or looking to get connected ASAP, you can also just choose our “Italy” location. This will automatically select the best available server.

Hotspot Shield is the best VPN for Italy

Some VPN providers place restrictions on how you use their service. Perhaps they forbid you from torrenting or only allow you to stream on specific servers. You might even find that they fail to honor a refund request because of how many times you connected. 

Hotspot Shield is different. Our users can freely switch between servers and torrent as much as they like. This works the same way regardless of if you’re in Italy or a country with strict online censorship like China. We also have specific servers that are optimized for streaming and gaming, so there’s no guesswork or stress involved: you can just connect and dive straight in.  

High-speed Italian servers

It’s hard to overstate how big of an impact your internet speeds have. Slow speeds lead to laggy video, dropped connections, and just a poor experience overall. Now, while most VPNs will reduce your speed to some degree, we’ve taken steps to minimize this loss. First, we tweaked our network infrastructure, making sure that our connections are as efficient as possible. 

Next, we created a custom protocol called Hydra. Speed was one of our top priorities, and the test results reflect this; Hotspot Shield was found to be the quickest VPN on the market by Ookla, the world’s leading speed testing service. In fact, we were more than twice as fast as the VPN in second place. Of course, we’re not taking anything for granted and are always looking for new ways to push our performance even further. 

How to stream Italian TV with a VPN

There are all kinds of internet restrictions. Some are country-wide (such as the UAE’s ban on video-messaging services), some are region-exclusive (you can’t watch RaiPlay outside of Italy), and some are more local (your workplace might block access to Facebook). 

A VPN can help you access your favorite sites, no matter what kind of blocking is in place. After all, once connected, your traffic is hidden, which means the web-filtering software can’t see that you’re trying to visit a site that’s been blacklisted. This makes it easy to stream Italian channels like RaiPlay, DAZN, Now TV, DMAX, or La 7 as you travel. 

How to get a new IP address in Italy (or anywhere else)

Just follow these steps to get an IP address from Italy using Hotspot Shield:

1. Open Hotspot Shield and sign in
2. Click on the arrow in the Virtual location box to see a list of available servers
    
3. Type “Italy” (without quotation marks) into the search box. Alternatively, you can scroll down until you see Italy in the list.
    
4. Click the Italy button to be shown a list of available server locations. Hover over your preferred location, then click the Connect button that appears on the right.
    
5. You’ll now be connected to a server in your chosen location. Once the screen changes to display your new Italian IP address, you’re free to browse the web, safe in the knowledge that  your activities can’t be monitored. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I watch with an Italian VPN?

There’s a huge amount of content that’s only normally available if you’re in Italy. Of course, securely accessing Italian streaming platforms is easy if you know how. Here’s a short list of Italy-only services that you can stream with the help of an Italian VPN server:

• Netflix Italia
• DMAX
• La 7
• Mediaset Infinity
• Now TV
• Discovery+
• Cielo TV

Do I need a VPN if I live in Italy?

There’s no such thing as too much security. After all, there’s no way to know for sure whether your local wifi hotspot is as well protected as it claims, and no guarantee that websites which claim to encrypt your traffic actually do so in a meaningful way. 

It’s also worth noting that Italy is a member of the Fourteen Eyes security alliance. In other words, if any of the other 13 signatories chose to, they could surveill your activities and share details with every other member. As such, it’s a good idea to use a VPN whenever you can. This will keep anyone, even the government, from seeing what you get up to online. 

What else can a VPN do for you?

VPNs are great for keeping your browsing habits private, but they’re useful for several other things too. For instance, you can use them to bypass throttling, since your ISP can no longer tell that you’re streaming or torrenting. VPN users are also free to access whatever sites they want while on public wifi, and to log into their online banking from abroad without fear of having their account temporarily locked down.  

Providers are increasingly taking a more active approach to online security. Instead of just encrypting your data, you’ll find some VPNs now also scan for malware, prevent phishing attempts, and direct you away from shady sites. In other words, these services are becoming more useful each and every day. 

How to get a Japanese IP address in five simple steps

1. The first step is signing up for a Premium or Family Premium account
2. Install Hotspot Shield onto any device you use regularly. For maximum flexibility, each of our subscribers can connect five devices at the same time
3. Log into the app and choose one of our high-speed servers in Japan
4. Wait a moment until you are successfully connected 
5. You are now browsing with a Japanese IP address. Your web traffic will be encrypted and hidden from anyone watching, plus you should be able to access your favorite Japanese services, regardless of where you actually are in the world

What are the benefits of using a VPN in Japan?

Your online activities are less private than you might think. For instance, if you’re at home, your Internet Service Provider can tell which sites you visit and can even hazard a guess at what you’re doing there. Using a public wifi hotspot isn’t any more private, though, since this simply lets the owner (and their ISP) monitor you instead. Plus, you’ll often find that public networks restrict access to certain websites, making them even less useful. 

VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, which prevents anyone from analyzing it without the correct, impossible-to-guess decryption key. They also hide your real IP address, making it even more difficult to trace your online activities back to you. Finally, VPNs can help you bypass online blocking, allowing you to access whatever you want, even if there’s a web-filtering system in place.

Japan is considered one of the safest countries in the world, but cybercriminals don’t care where you live as long as they can take advantage of you. Online fraud is steadily becoming more common, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Report for 2021 specifically lists Japan as one of the most-targeted countries. The problem is that remaining vigilant all of the time is exhausting, and that one mistake can be catastrophic. 

That’s where Hotspot Shield comes in. It not only shields your activities from snoopers, it also scans websites for malware and protects against phishing attempts automatically. Our service can even let you know if a legitimate website has been compromised! We’re not stopping there, though: our blacklist currently includes over three million shady sites and is being constantly updated to keep you as safe as possible. 

Here’s why Hotspot Shield is the best VPN for Japan

We believe that you should be able to freely use the internet without worrying about who might be watching. That’s why Hotspot Shield uses top-tier encryption and places no limits on how often you can stream, torrent, or game. In fact, we even have specially-optimized servers to ensure you have the best possible experience with these activities! Our service even works in countries with strict online censorship (like China and the UAE) so it’s great for international travelers too.

Quick and reliable Japanese servers

Almost everyone has struggled with slow internet at some point. Some VPNs have a huge impact on your connection speed, which is no good for anyone. After all, if your internet slows to a crawl every time you connect, you’re unlikely to keep using the service. To ensure you get the highest possible speeds, we’ve put a huge amount of effort into optimizing our network and tweaking individual servers for the best performance.

Not only that, but we’ve developed our own protocol named Hydra that puts speed and security first. Don’t take our word for it, though; Ookla, the world’s most popular speed-testing service found Hotspot Shield to be the fastest VPN on the market. We were actually more than twice as fast as the VPN in second, and these speeds even held up with long-distance connections.

How to stream Japanese TV with a VPN

It’s easy to forget in our always-connected world, but some services are only available in certain locations. For instance, if you go abroad, you won’t be able to stream U-Next or J:Com at all. Additionally, platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video all have different titles outside of Japan. You might even find that some locations (such as universities or offices) restrict access to certain websites, even if you’re in a supported region.

The easiest way to get around this type of blocking is to use a VPN. Not only will it encrypt your data, it’ll change your IP address. This way, you’ll be able to securely access all of your favorite Japanese websites and services from anywhere, even abroad. 

How to get a new IP address in Japan (or anywhere else)

Just follow these steps to get an IP address from Japan, wherever you are:

1. Open up the Hotspot Shield app
2. Click on the arrow in the Virtual location box to see all of our server locations
    
3. Type “Japan” (without the quotation marks) or scroll down until you see Japan in the list  
    
4. Click this, then hover over “Japan” on the next page, before clicking Connect. You’ll now be connected to the best available Japanese server. 
    
5. Once the screen changes to show your new IP address, you’re ready to go! Your data is now secured with Hotspot Shield’s powerful encryption and the websites you visit will think you’re in Japan (even if you’re not). 
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Which channels can I stream with a Japanese VPN?

Japan has plenty of streaming services to choose from, but most of them require you to have a Japanese IP address before you can watch. Here are just a few of the platforms you’ll be able to watch while connected to a Japanese VPN server:

• Netflix Japan
• Hulu Japan
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video JP
• U-Next
• J:Com
• Hikari TV
• TVer
• Abema
• GYAO!

Do I need a VPN if I live in Japan?

Most people could benefit from additional privacy. After all, there’s no telling whether the websites you use are really as secure as they claim, or if your local hotspots are as well-protected as they should be. Given that cybercrime is on the rise globally, there’s never been a better time to start taking steps to protect yourself. 

How else can a VPN help you?

Aside from providing you with greater online privacy, VPNs have several more practical uses. They’re great for anyone looking to use public wifi without specific sites being blocked, and you can use them to access your online banking service abroad without raising any red flags (and possibly having to call your bank and explain). A VPN can also help you avoid ISP throttling, so if you notice your speeds start to drop when streaming or torrenting, it might be a good idea to try one out. 

How to stream Fox Now securely using a VPN

It’s easier than you might think to use Fox Now with a VPN connected. Here’s a quick five-step guide:

1. Start by signing up for a Hotspot Shield Premium or Premium Family plan
2. Install Hotspot Shield on any devices you use for streaming
3. Log into the app and click the arrow next to Virtual location in the bottom-left
4. Select United States, hover over Streaming, then click Connect
5. You’ll now be connected to a suitable streaming-optimized server. Users should be able to stream Fox Now without any issues, and as their traffic is encrypted, it can’t be read by Internet Service Providers, hackers, or the government

Choosing the best VPN for watching Fox Now online

For a VPN to be good at streaming, it really has to excel in several different areas. For instance, it’ll need a large network of speedy servers, the ability to fly under the radar, powerful security tools, and strong multi-platform support. Not only that, but if there’s any kind of monthly data limit, users won’t be able to stream as often as they’d like.

The good news is that Hotspot Shield is excellent for watching live TV. Our network spans 80+ countries around the world, and we even offer servers specifically optimized for accessing US streaming platforms. In other words, you’ll be able to watch not just Fox Now, but also Netflix US, Hulu, and YouTube TV to name but a few. 

Live streaming TV: why you need top-tier speeds

A slow connection can cause all kinds of problems. Live streams might fail to load entirely, or may simply stop to buffer every few seconds. On-demand videos aren’t much better, with low speeds limiting you to standard-definition video at best. 

So what kind of speeds do you need? Well, Fox says you’ll need at least 1 Mbps to watch in SD or 10 Mbps for HD streaming. If you’re thinking about using services that offer 4K video (such as Netflix), then the speed requirements shoot up to 25 Mbps. Of course, the issue is that most VPNs slow your connection down, meaning your base speeds will usually have to be quite a bit higher than these recommendations. 

Unlike other VPNs, Hotspot Shield can actually increase your speeds while connected. Not only that, but our custom Hydra protocol was specially designed to be as quick and efficient as possible (without compromising on security, naturally). It’s significantly faster than OpenVPN too, even if you’re using a server on the other side of the world. Don’t just take our word for it, though: independent experts from Speedtest.net claim we’re more than twice as fast as our nearest competitor.

Streaming Fox Now with a VPN: Frequently Asked Questions 

Will a VPN let me stream safely on all of my devices?

Absolutely. A VPN will encrypt all internet traffic from your device, regardless of whether it’s a desktop PC, smartphone, or even something a little less common, like an Amazon Fire Stick. It’s even possible to protect devices that don’t support VPN apps, provided you’re willing to spend a few hours installing a VPN directly on your home router. 

Why isn’t my VPN working with Fox Now?

Having trouble streaming Fox Now while connected to a VPN? There are a number of possible causes, and we’ll run you through the most common below:

• You’re not using one of your VPN’s US servers
• Your server is in the US but isn’t optimized for streaming
• Fox Now is relying on old location data
• The streaming service has blacklisted the server you’re connected to
• Your VPN needs an update
• You’ve forgotten to switch to your VPN’s anti-censorship protocol
• Fox Now has access to GPS or location services

Sounds pretty technical, right? Don’t worry: there’s a series of steps you can take to address these issues. With a bit of luck, you’ll be back to streaming live TV in no time:

1. First, clear your browser’s cookies. If you’re on mobile, clear the Fox Now app’s data
2. Connect to one of our US streaming servers
3. Make sure GPS and location services are turned off, then check to see if you’re using the latest version of Hotspot Shield 
4. Open the settings menu, move to the Protocols tab, and select Hydra
5. Try using Fox Now again. If you’re still having problems, repeat these steps but try a different US server. Remember: we offer free, 24/7 support over live chat, so you can always get in touch if you need someone to help walk you through the process

How else can a VPN help me?

We’ve established that VPNs can help you securely access your favorite streaming services but they have plenty of other benefits. For instance, they provide a layer of privacy that’s often sadly missing from public wifi hotspots. In fact, because of your VPN’s encryption, you’ll be able to browse freely, even if the hotspot owner has tried to block access to specific sites. 

This encryption also prevents your ISP from seeing what you do online. This increases your anonymity, but also prevents them from reducing your speeds when they detect signs of streaming or torrenting. You pay for a specific internet speed, after all, so why should someone else get to make your (perfectly legal) activities less convenient?

You might already know that VPNs can protect against Man-in-the-Middle and DDoS attacks, but we’ve taken things even further. New versions of Hotspot Shield come equipped with anti-phishing and anti-malware tools designed to keep you safe, even if there’s no outward signs that you’re on a shady website. This way, you can leave security to us and spend more time thinking about which show you’re going to watch next.