Best VPN for Kindle
An e-reader has many advantages but internet security isn’t one of them. If you want to use your Kindle on the go, then you’re inevitably going to connect via a public Wi-Fi hotspot at some point.
These connections are notoriously vulnerable to cybercrime and, without some kind of security, downloading books via a public Wi-Fi connection is liable to land you in hot water.
Not only can your Amazon account be hacked, enabling the culprit to spend your money, but your login credentials could also be accessed, giving a smart cybercriminal all he or she needs to start the process of stealing your identity altogether.
There are a few ways to safeguard your e-reader, all of which will do much to prevent criminal access and give you peace of mind. Some of these methods, like installing a Virtual Private Network, for example, have some added benefits which are well worth investigating.
Top 4 VPNs for Kindle
The following VPNs met all our criteria, with some going even further to provide a seamless yet secure reading experience.
#1 ExpressVPN The Best VPN Service for Kindle Users
ExpressVPN is one of the big names in cybersecurity and is widely celebrated for its high speeds, consistent connections and proven no-logging policy. ExpressVPN is both easy to set up and simple to use. It is compatible with all the main operating systems and puts no restrictions on an individual’s usage.
Not only will ExpressVPN give you comprehensive security for your Kindle, but it also has the capacity to protect your Apple TV, PlayStation, Windows PC and even those outdated devices known as Blackberries.
As versatile as ExpressVPN is when it comes to device compatibility, so it is capable of protecting you wherever you are in the world. ExpressVPN has one of the largest networks of servers in the world, so even if you’re heading off to some far-flung place like Mongolia or Lichtenstein, you’ll be able to keep downloading books and reading knowing ExpressVPN is keeping you safe and sound.
Another benefit of using ExpressVPN is that, even if you’re not in the US, you can use it to create a US IP address and still gain access to the full Amazon library.
In addition to providing a solid piece of security software, ExpressVPN is also surprisingly affordable and has one of the best customer support services available. Any problems with your VPN, just hop onto to the ExpressVPN website and speak to a member of their team via the live chat service.
Fast and reliable with a proven no-logging policy and exemplary customer support, ExpressVPN is tough to beat. Better yet, with their 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN out for a month before deciding whether or not it’s the best cybersecurity solution for you.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN here.
To protect your Kindle with ExpressVPN, click here now.
#2 Surfshark – The Best for Unlimited Connections
A relative newcomer to the world of VPNs, Surfshark is a bit of a mystery but one thing that’s very clear is that the rest of the VPNs need to watch out – there’s a serious threat out there.
Established two years ago, Surfshark does with 500 servers what some of its rivals struggle to do with 5,000, which is to provide fast and consistent connections all over the world.
Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, freeing it from regulations affecting countries inside the five and 14 eyes alliances. This means that no information pertaining to your online activities or your geographical or virtual location is recorded or stored. While this may not seem like a big deal, after all, you’re only reading online, some free VPNs will actually sell your information to other companies who, in turn, will target you with adverts and unwanted emails.
Surfshark uses OpenVPN protocols and the industry-standard 256-bit encryption. It also has an automatic kill switch that will stop all internet activity should your VPN connection fail. Despite its name, Surfshark is surprisingly user-friendly, simple to install and even easier to operate. If you want to stay really anonymous, you can even opt to pay using bitcoin.
We’ve saved the best until last, however, and Surfshark’s secret weapon is the fact that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. While this might be hard to believe, with the majority of VPN providers placing some kind of limit on the number of devices you can connect at any one time, in this case, it’s true. What’s even more impressive is that this generosity isn’t reflected in the price, which remains seriously competitive.
Read our full review of Surfshark VPN here.
To protect your Kindle with Surfshark VPN, click here now.
#3 NordVPN – Serious about Security
It’s difficult to find fault with the service provided by NordVPN but, despite its impressive security protocols and global distribution of servers, NordVPN struggles to keep up with ExpressVPN. In terms of both speed and reliability, ExpressVPN manages to get the upper hand, whether you’re connecting via a server in the US or one in Slovenia.
Nevertheless, NordVPN is just as easy to install and operate as SurfsharkVPN, provides a reliable OpenVPN protocol, is compatible with all major operating systems, and has an excellent reputation when it comes to client privacy and no logging. As with ExpressVPN, NordVPN has an excellent track record and some very inviting discounts that make a long-term subscription extremely tempting.
NordVPN is situated in Panama, outside both the 5 and 14-eyes alliances, and thereby guaranteeing their clients’ private information remains both confidential and secure. With a huge network of over 5,000 servers in 62 different locations worldwide, NordVPN will keep your Kindle safe in the most remote parts of the world, and those, like Korea and China, where government surveillance and censorship are particularly rife.
While neither as fast nor as reliable as either of the VPN providers in our top two spots, NordVPN has excellent security protocols and an outstanding customer support service that has it constantly nipping at the heels of the industry leaders. NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so, if you’re not sure which of these top three options is right for you, you can give them all a trial run without spending a cent.
Read our full review of NordVPN here.
To protect your Kindle with NordVPN, click here now.
#4 CyberGhost – Good for Advanced Users
CyberGhost is excellent for combating cybercrime and keeping your online activity to yourself. With the same OpenVPN protocols and 256-bit AES encryption as the other recommended VPNs, the only real problem with CyberGhost VPN is that it’s not designed for a Kindle. Unlike the three VPNs above, there is no app for a Kindle e-reader, as such, although CyberGhost has introduced a new app that’s compatible with both Amazon Fire Stick, so, if you’ve upgraded, you’re in luck.
Installing a VPN that doesn’t have a dedicated app can be a rather complicated procedure but, if you’re committed to using CyberGhost, for some reason, you can still get it operational on an older Kindle e-reader by following the instructions on the CyberGhost website.
CyberGhost may not have as many servers as the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN but, as Surfshark VPN has proven, this isn’t vital in terms of either speed or consistency. Nonetheless, CyberGhost VPN has over 3,000 servers and is continuously expanding its network. Unfortunately, not all CyberGhost VPN’s servers seem capable of maintaining high speeds and even some of those in Europe cause irritatingly long delays.
Nevertheless, CyberGhost VPN is a reliable VPN provider, with a clear no-logging policy and seamless user experience. Better still, you can enjoy the benefits of its inviting interface and top-class customer service for 45 days knowing you can get a full refund if you’re not happy with the service.
While we would recommend trying one of our top three VPNs before turning to CyberGhost VPN, if you have a current subscription and simply want to add in your Kindle, there’s no reason not to – the service is good, speeds largely consistent and security as tight as a drum.
Read our full review of CyberGhostVPN here.
To protect your Kindle with CyberGhost VPN, click here now.
How to Keep Safe While Using Kindle
One of the benefits of a Kindle or similar e-reader is that it’s small and easy to transport. Unfortunately, this also means its small and easy to misplace. If you walk out of a café or bar without your newspaper or book, chances are, it will still be there when you return. Walk out without your Kindle, however, and you’re liable to never see it again.
Fair enough, the device itself can be replaced, but what about the personal data you have stored on there? Once those details fall into the wrong hands, you could be looking at years of trouble and strife as you attempt to reclaim your identity and create new online accounts that are free from prying eyes.
Obviously, the best way of keeping your Kindle safe is to have it in your possession at all times. This isn’t always possible, however, and things get both lost and stolen on a regular basis. To protect yourself and your private information, you need to increase your device security by creating a lock screen passcode.
PIN It
A passcode will prevent the screen from turning on after you’ve either switched your Kindle off or left it dormant for long enough that it’s powered off automatically. While it may be rather inconvenient to enter a code every time you want to power up your device, it’s a better option than losing all your personal data to a nefarious character either in the real world or in cyberspace.
Setting up a numeric PIN or more complex password is very simple on Kindle. All you need to do is tap on the Settings options, go to Security and Privacy and then switch the Lock Screen Password button to the on position. You will then be asked to enter your PIN code. Remember to make this as difficult as possible for others to guess (“password” and “1234” should definitely be avoided) while making it memorable for yourself.
Although this won’t prevent criminal threats coming through the internet to your device, it will mean that anyone finding the device will be unable to use it and therefore more likely to return it rather than stealing it.
Encrypt It
We all know that spies and thieves use codes to communicate with one another about their secret and immoral plans, but encryption can also be used against cybercriminals, helping you to protect your data and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
Kindle Fire has an in-built browser called Silk which has some security options embedded in it. For example, you can block pop-up windows or even turn on optional encryption which will send all traffic via one of Silk’s servers, rather than directly to and from your Kindle. Sounds good, doesn’t it? And in some ways, it is but in other ways, it’s lulling you into a false sense of security.
Any kind of encryption has the tendency to slow down your connection speeds, simply because the traffic is now detouring through a server before reaching your device. That isn’t the end of the world and, if you have a fast Wi-Fi connection, you probably won’t even notice. Unfortunately, a glitch in the original Silk software meant that it connected to an unsecured Google site, using HTTP rather than the more secure https. Although this bug has since been fixed, if you’re operating on any version older than v51.2.1, you should consider upgrading immediately.
VPN It
A Virtual Private Network is one of the most versatile and reliable forms of cybersecurity available for any device. Although you might not think of your Kindle as being a computer, in effect, it is, and, as such, it requires just as much protection as any other device you use to connect to the internet. Like PCs, laptops, and smartphones, Kindles and other e-readers are vulnerable to physical theft and cyber crimes, such as man-in-the-middle attacks, malware and ransomware attacks, and identity theft. If you’re using your e-reader to connect to the internet via a public Wi-Fi connection, then you’re particularly vulnerable as these connections are usually unsecured, leaving both your private information and device exposed.
In addition to creating an encrypted tunnel to protect your traffic, a VPN can also create a fake IP address, meaning that neither your ISP provider nor Amazon and Google will be able to gather information about your reading habits. While you may not mind a multi-national corporation knowing that it took you five weeks to finish Fifty Shades of Grey, you might find it a bit invasive or even consider it to be a massive invasion of privacy. In this case, you can just turn off your Wi-Fi connection while reading, or you can install a reliable VPN that will protect your Kindle and your privacy in one fell swoop.
Our Criteria for Top VPNs for Kindle
With hundreds of VPNs out there, finding the best VPN for your needs and your device can be tricky. To make your life easier, we’ve trawled through the vast majority of VPNs to find the ones that are going to do your e-reader justice in the security department.
To identify those VPNs that are going to do a reliable and consistent job of protecting your Kindle, we checked for the following criteria:
1 No Logging Policy
There has been a lot of talk about no-logging policies in the world of VPNs and, despite the claims made by many, not all are true to their word. Rather than trusting the marketing spiel on their websites, we’ve made sure that any VPNs that do keep track of your geographical location, online activities or connection times are excluded from our recommended list.
2 Open VPN
VPNs use a variety of security protocols depending on both device and activity. The most popular protocol is OpenVPN as it is both fast and secure. As a result, we have eliminated any VPNs that do not support OpenVPN from our list of recommendations.
3 Unlimited Bandwidth
Although uncommon among the best VPNs, there are a few providers out there who cap your bandwidth which is extremely annoying for those using their Kindle to listen to music or audiobooks. As Kindle devices have evolved into Fire Sticks, so the activities they are used for have proliferated, with many users now watching movies or listening to music on their devices, having consistent connections, fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth are essential.
4 Cross-platform Compatibility
If you’re looking for a VPN for your Kindle, then the chances are you need one for the other devices you use as well. As not all VPNs support Android and iOS operating systems, we’ve ensured that all the VPNs in our top VPN section support a wide variety of mainstream operating systems.
5 Simultaneous Connections
It’s all very well having a VPN protecting your Kindle, but what if you want to do some online banking from your smartphone while downloading a book on your Kindle? To do that, you need a VPN that will support several simultaneous connections without throttling your speed. Any VPN that doesn’t have the capacity to support at least three devices at the same time.
Bottom Line
Any device you use to connect to the internet should be secured. With cybercrime showing no signs of easing up, either in terms of frequency or sophistication of the attack, your Kindle device is leaving you vulnerable. While there are certain security options available to boost the protection, a VPN is the most comprehensive tool for those wanting to keep their private information to themselves.
As a Kindle is, by design, a mobile device, to use it to its full capacity, most users will, at some stage, want to connect to the internet and download new reading material via a public Wi-Fi connection. As this type of connection is notoriously vulnerable to cyber attacks, connecting to one on a Kindle, smartphone or laptop without, is risky business.
Sadly, you can’t just opt for the first VPN you see and assume that your secrets are safe – they’re not. Many free VPNs and some paid options not only fail to provide a secure connection but compromise your security for their own gain. The VPNs we’ve recommended here all provide a reliable service and are committed to your cybersecurity needs. Now all you have to do is choose the best option for your needs, install it, connect, and then simply kick back and enjoy your book.
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