How to use a vpn with your amazon fire tablet

Jason Fitzpatrick is the Editor in Chief of LifeSavvy, How-To Geek’s sister site focused life hacks, tips, and tricks. He has over a decade of experience in publishing and has authored thousands of articles at Review Geek, How-To Geek, and Lifehacker. Jason served as Lifehacker’s Weekend Editor before he joined How-To Geek. Read more.

Whether you need to access your company intranet from afar or you want to watch Netflix while on vacation in a foreign country, setting up a VPN on your Amazon Fire tablet makes accessing remote networks a snap.

What You Need

To follow along with today’s tutorial, you only need a few things. Obviously you need a Fire tablet but you also need a VPN of some sort—if you’ve heard about VPNs (and that they’re good for privacy) but you’re not really sure about them, be sure to check out our guide to what a VPN is and why you might want to use one. While you’re at it, we also have some great recommendations for VPN providers with tips on how to pick one that best fits your needs.

Because each VPN provider has its own settings (server addresses, etc.) it’s important that you take a moment to review the help files for your VPN provider of course (or the information your workplace sent you on the matter) as you’ll need the specific information for your specific VPN later in the tutorial.

Additionally, it’s important to know that we’ll be using the built-in VPN functionality in the Fire OS which, because Fire OS is an Android derivative, has the same limitations of Android’s VPN support—that means it supports the IPSec, L2TP, and PPTP protocols right out of the box but does not support OpenVPN. In addition to the inherent limitation of using Android, there is also the limitation of the Amazon Appstore: there is a very paltry selection of third party VPN apps and no official OpenVPN app to speak of.

If you wish to use OpenVPN on your Fire tablet, we recommend checking to see if your VPN provider has a companion application that would make the process easy for you (but unfortunately the chances of this are very low). Instead, if you want to use beefier VPN protocols on your Fire tablet, you’ll most likely need to either sideload a VPN app’s APK or insntall the Google Play Store on your Fire tablet (which is so much better than relying on the Amazon App Store that you should do it anyway). Once you’ve done that, you can easily follow along with our guide to using VPNs on Android, where we talk in more detail about using official and third-party OpenVPN apps.

If you’re sticking with Amazon’s built-in VPN settings, however, read on.

Configuring and Activating the VPN

Armed with your VPN’s info, entering the VPN is a straightforward affair. On your Fire tablet, swipe down from the notification bar and click on the “Settings” icon.

Within the Settings menu, select “Wireless & VPN”.

In turn, select “VPN”.

Within the VPN menu, click on the plus sign “+” located in the upper right corner to create a new VPN entry.

Here is where the information from your VPN provider, workplace, or school is critical. Give your VPN connection a name (e.g. University Network or StrongVPN) and then select the appropriate type from the dropdown menu. Enter the information provided by your VPN and click “Save”.

After you save the entry, you’ll see the new VPN listed. Click on the link icon, seen below.

You’ll be prompted for your username and password credentials. Enter them and click “Connect”.

If the setup is correct, you’ll immediately see a key icon in the notification bar.

At this point, you’re connected to the VPN. Let’s look at how to test the connection (to ensure your data is actually routing through the VPN) and how to disconnect from it.

Testing (and Disconnecting from) the VPN

After connecting to the VPN, fire up the web browser on your Fire and simply search for “what is my ip” at google.com. You should see the IP address of your VPN, as seen below.

Now let’s disconnect from the VPN to confirm that the IP address changes to our local IP address (and not the IP address of the VPN exit node). Swipe down on the notification bar and select the entry “VPN Activated” to jump right to the VPN interface.

Click on “Disconnect” to terminate the VPN session.

Return to the web browser and refresh the “what is my IP” query. It should immediately return your local IP address, as seen below.

That’s all there is to it! At this point we’ve set up the VPN, tested that it is properly routing our traffic to the remote address, and then turned it off to confirm the change was effective. We can now use our Fire tablet anywhere in the world and it will route all our on-tablet traffic so that it appears to be coming from the VPN node and not the local connection.

Kindle Fire is one amazing product, especially for book readers. However, if you’re really into the consumption of content from the internet then you’re in need of a Kindle Fire VPN.

With Kindle Fire, you can read books, watch movies and TV shows, and enjoy all other kinds of content.

Kindle Fire is an amazing product, but we can’t deny there are issues with it if you wish to use it the way you want to. The OS of Kindle Fire is similar to the Mac OS and provides users with a closed environment. You cannot play with the product with enough freedom like you usually do when you’re using Android or any other open-ended platform.

These same restrictions also apply to your internet browsing activities. There are restrictions on the web that you just cannot avoid without help from a specialized tool. This is where a Kindle Fire VPN can help you out.

Content lovers, however, need not worry. They can easily connect to, and watch the content of their choice using a Kindle Fire VPN. A VPN gives you the online freedom you need to browse through the content of your choice. A VPN can easily convert a closed platform into an open-ended one.

While you use Kindle Fire, you’ll be horrified to know that Kindle Fire is not as secure as many of you think it is. Despite being a closed-ended product, Kindle Fire holds multiple vulnerabilities which can be taken advantage of by hackers and cybercriminals.

Hackers can especially take over your Kindle Fire device while you’re connected to the internet. However, using a VPN can easily eliminate this problem by providing you with security and anonymity while you’re using the web.

A VPN hides your original IP address, keeping you anonymous in the process. It further provides you with online security features like protection against malware and DDoS attacks, while providing you with optimum encryption.

A VPN for Kindle Fire is incredibly helpful if you want to browse the internet and consume your favorite content with ease and comfort. The following guide will help you out in your pursuit for the best Kindle Fire VPN.

The best Kindle Fire VPN

While searching for the best VPN for Kindle Fire, you’ll doubtless be looking for the service which protects your privacy and anonymity while you’re surfing the web.

And you’ll want a service which provides strong encryption and protocol support for bullet-proof security. The performance level is also important, especially if you’re keen on consuming your favorite content on the web.

In all of the above scenarios, PureVPN is the only VPN on Kindle Fire worth using for the content crazy audience!

PureVPN Kindle Fire VPN’s extension features

PureVPN advocates online privacy and internet freedom. Its Kindle Fire VPN comes packed with all the security-centric features which help users in combating the malicious entities on the internet. The following are some of the features you can play with while using PureVPN:

• Ultimate Malware Protection

Malware is actually a destructive software that can easily disrupt your entire system. PureVPN’s Chrome VPN extension protects you against viruses, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware amongst numerous other malicious programs.

• Ultra Private & Secure

PureVPN works like a bullet-proof sedan, allowing you to cross the busy streets of the urban internet with ease, comfort, and security.

• P2P Allowed

Unlock the doors of the restricted internet and consume your favorite content with total freedom and independence.

• Ultra High Speed

Dips in speed can turn online entertainment into frustrating bummers. With PureVPN, you’ll be able to cross all speed limits with total ease and comfort.

How to install VPN on Kindle Fire?

Installing VPN on Kindle Fire may seem complicated, but it’s not! The following steps will help you in installing PureVPN easily on Kindle Fire:

1. Swipe down the notification bar to access the Quick Settings page and then tap on Wireless.
2. Tap on “VPN.”
3. Tap on “Add a VPN Profile.”
4. Enter the VPN details as given below:
   Name: PureVPN
   Type: PPTP
   Server address: us1.purevpn.net
   Uncheck PPP encryption (MPPE)
   Now tap on “Save.”
   A full list of all our servers can be found in this Knowledge Base Article.
5. You can now see the newly created VPN profile on your screen. Tap on it to connect.
6. Do the following:
   • You will be prompted to enter your PureVPN username and password, check your email inbox for VPN credentials email.
   • Tap on the Save account information checkbox and then Connect.
7. Once connected you will see a key icon in the top left-hand corner.

How to watch Kindle Fire outside US?

Kindle Fire is the perfect medium to watch your favorite movies and TV shows without cable. A problem with Kindle Fire is that most shows that you watch on the device may not be accessible in your region. Some of the best streaming services are only available for the US audience.

This is why you need a VPN to watch your favorite shows on Kindle Fire outside the US. Written above are all the steps you need to follow in order to watch any show live on Kindle Fire.

Using Kindle Fire in Europe

As mentioned above, there are many streaming services which are only available in certain countries. Some of these, like BBC iPlayer and Canal+ are only available in Europe. For these channels too, you’ll require a VPN to access them. Just follow the steps mentioned above to install VPN on Kindle Fire.

PureVPN’s Kindle Fire VPN extension lets you connect to 2.000+ servers in 141 countries including the United States of America.

So what are you waiting for? Subscribe to PureVPN now and join a growing VPN family of users and experience a fast, secure service right here using Kindle Fire VPN!

Расслабьтесь и наслаждайтесь развлечениями на планшете Fire в полной безопасности.

Зачем использовать VPN на Amazon Kindle Fire?

Доступ к миру развлечений

Нужная вам электронная книга недоступна в вашей стране? Проблемы с доступом к сайтам потокового видео или игровым приложениям? Измените IP-адрес Kindle и наслаждайтесь развлечениями без ограничений и цензуры!

Потоковый контент на полной скорости

Неважно, смотрите ли вы любимый сериал или просто пользуетесь Интернетом на вашем Kindle, хорошая скорость — это всегда важно. NordVPN скрывает ваш трафик от интернет-провайдера, не позволяя ему ограничивать пропускную способность и замедлять скорость Интернета (даже если вы платите за безлимитный трафик).

Доступ к миру развлечений

Нужная вам электронная книга недоступна в вашей стране? Проблемы с доступом к сайтам потокового видео или игровым приложениям? Измените IP-адрес Kindle и наслаждайтесь развлечениями без ограничений и цензуры!

Потоковый контент на полной скорости

Неважно, смотрите ли вы любимый сериал или просто пользуетесь Интернетом на вашем Kindle, хорошая скорость — это всегда важно. NordVPN скрывает ваш трафик от интернет-провайдера, не позволяя ему ограничивать пропускную способность и замедлять скорость Интернета (даже если вы платите за безлимитный трафик).

Kindle Fire by Amazon is a superb tablet used by many people universally, due to its unparalleled convenience and the special features that it includes. Ever since it was released to the market back in 2011, great popularity has been gained and this popularity has been increasing gradually over time.

With the use of Kindle Fire and the latest versions of Kindle Fire HD, you have got full access to the Amazon Appstore and at the same time you can stream movies or read books, get online and chat with friends or socialize. As you can see, this is a complete solution in the field of portable technology with various different services within your palms.

Table of Contents

What is Restricted in Kindle Fire?

Just to shed some light as to what you can do with a Kindle Fire outside the US, you should know that it is critical for you to own a valid US credit or debit card. As long as you have one of these, you will be able to activate the one-click ordering option and have the apps you like downloaded on the spot. This case does not work all the time, but it is a great option to consider and facilitate your experience with Kindle Fire internationally (besides the US, of course).

Another solution would be for you to buy everything you need before leaving the States and then enjoying it at your own pace. Nothing stops you from using your tablet for reading books or watching stuff that you already have in your device. A second requirement, other than the US credit card, is the US billing address that needs to be valid.

In Europe, it is forbidden to download media and the only thing that you can actually is to buy and download books by Kindle Store. Amazon Appstore does not grant access to people outside US, which can be frustrating at times and especially when you are an ex-pat or a US tourist traveling abroad and wishing not to feel deprived of anything – including Kindle Fire!

How to Overcome the Geographical Barriers

As you probably have guessed, only people from the US have got the full privilege of using Kindle Fire and the Amazon Appstore. Nevertheless, there is something that you can do towards lifting the restrictions applied to people from other countries in the world. Besides owning a valid US credit card that allows you to download apps and pay for everything legitimately, you have to appear that you are in the US. Before arguing that this cannot happen, you should feel free to learn more about the use of VPN account!

How Can VPN Help in Using Kindle Fire Globally?

It is pretty simple and straightforward, really! Now, the The VPN allows you to mask your true online identity and offers you the opportunity to change your IP address accordingly. In this way, you can rest assured that you tunnel your Internet traffic through remote servers and get a US IP address, regardless of your actual IP address at the time. Of course, since there is no built-in VPN client for Kindle Fire, you will need to use the Wi-Fi and connect through another router or device, sharing the VPN.

Fortunately enough, there are detailed instructions and setup guides for Windows or OS X running computers or routers. As soon as you have selected the VPN service provider of your preference (you can get subscriptions for as low as a few dollars per month), you will be given the detailed information as to how to get everything ready. From then on, you will be encouraged to find a US server that will in turn offer you a US IP address and this is it!

Is This the Only Benefit of VPN?

Of course not! VPN is the ultimate value for money, since not only does it unlock restricted content and services internationally, but it also allows you to enhance your anonymity and privacy online. Using advanced security protocols, encryption is thorough and nobody can trace you and your personal information in any way.

The performance of the device is not affected by the use of VPN and especially when there are quite many different servers for you to switch (this can be extremely handy at peak hours). In terms of safety and protection, unblocking restrictions and overcoming censorship, VPN is a reliable solution that you can use – not only on your Kindle Fire, but practically on any device and OS!

In this article we have displayed how easy and simple it can be for you to unblock Kindle Fire while you’re outside of the US, everywhere in the world. It does not take much, provided that you have got a US credit card and the will to subscribe to a trustworthy VPN service provider. Having that in mind, it is exquisite to see that you can overcome even the most distressing restrictions within your reach. Let us hear your thoughts and comments on the subject, as much as any other piece of advice you are willing to share!

The Kindle Fire is locked to the Amazon store. Amazon doesn’t let consumers buy software from the Google Play app store. This restriction makes it very difficult to get content onto a Kindle device (other than the stuff that Amazon provides). Luckily, however, it is possible to sideload apps onto a Kindle Fire (there is a guide for this later in this article).

While it is true that until recently Amazon didn’t have VPNs on its store – now it does have some (ExpressVPN , PureVPN , IPVanish , PrivateVPN, to name a few). However, if you subscribe to a VPN for Kindle that does not have software in the store, you can still use the VPN by installing third-party OpenVPN software onto your Kindle. Once that is installed you can configure the OpenVPN software to work with your chosen VPN provider. We will explain how to do it later in this guide.

If you are worried that any of this sounds complicated – relax – because it isn’t. What’s more, whichever VPN you subscribe to will have a setup guide to help you with the process! However, if you are concerned about this – you can always communicate with the VPN directly before you purchase a subscription to get some peace of mind and ensure that you are going to get all the help you need.

ExpressVPN , the best VPN for Kindle, has detailed setup guides and 24/7 live chat support.

If this is something you do not want to have to deal with, we recommend having a quick search for the VPN you are interested in on the Amazon store before you go the trouble of subscribing.

If the VPN has software on the Amazon store, then you can follow these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to your preferred VPN for Kindle
2. Go to the Amazon store and download the VPN software
3. Run the software and log in with your credentials
4. Connect to a VPN server and begin accessing previously blocked content.

Open VPN Software installation guide for Kindle

To help you out, let’s also take a look at how to set up a VPN using third-party OpenVPN for Kindle. This is much more complicated than the previous method, but allows you to use a VPN that doesn’t have software on the Amazon App store. Simply follow these steps on your Kindle:

1. Drag the Kindle notification bar down. Select More followed by Device and turn on “Allow Installation of Applications from unknown sources.”
   
2. Download ES File Explorer from the Amazon Appstore. This app is free.
3. Download the OpenVPN installer to your desktop computer.
4. Connect your Kindle to your PC or Mac using the USB lead, then drag and drop the OpenVPN installer (icsopenvpn0529.apk) to your Kindle’s Downloads folder.
5. Start up your Kindle and use ES Explorer to navigate to the Downloads folder. Tap on the .apk file and install it.
6. Sign up for a VPN service for Kindle if you haven’t already done so.
7. Next set up the OpenVPN software on your Kindle with your VPN’s OpenVPN config files. These files will be supplied by your VPN provider. To get them onto your Kindle you will need to download them to a PC, unzip them, and email them to yourself. Open the email on your Kindle and download the .ovpn files. Now you can import them from your downloads folder into the OpenVPN software. Your VPN will have a setup guide to help you with this step!

Sideloading a VPN App onto a Kindle Fire

Amazon users are blocked from accessing the Google Play Store. This severely restricts what they can access on their device. However, the good news is that you can “sideload” these apps onto your Kindle Fire. This includes VPN apps. Check out our best Kindle Fire VPNs page for information about the benefits of using a VPN for Kindle Fire.

To sideload an app follow these steps:

1. Before you can sideload any apps, you need to prepare your Kindle. To begin, swipe down the top navigation bar and click on Settings. In the Settings menu look for the Applications menu.
2. Turn on Apps from unknown sources.
3. Open the Apps for Android application and search for ES File Explorer, it is a free app so you can download it for nothing.
4. Run ES File Explorer and tap the New button at the bottom to create a new folder. Create a folder called Sideloaded Apps in the root. This is where you will side load your .APK files.
5. Download the APK file for SnapPea (Desktop-to-Android manager ) directly from SnapPea at this link.
6. Now use SnapPea to put any other APK files you want to install in the SideLoaded Apps folder that you created earlier.
7. You can open the APK files using ES file Explorer, and install them like you would any other file. For a full guide look here.

To install an app you already have on another Android device (that you got from the Google App store, for example) simply backup the APK file onto your Kindle. To do so follow these steps:

1. Install App Backup & Restore on your Android device.
2. Run the Backup & Restore App and select all the apps that you want to backup from your device for transfer to your Kindle Fire. Press the Backup button at the bottom.
3. The APK files will be stored in the directory specified by App Backup (in our case, /storage/sdcard0/App_Backup_Restore/, check the application’s settings to see what your storage directory is). Once you’ve backed them up, mount your device onto your computer via USB and copy them over.
4. Now copy those files onto your Kindle (to the Sideloaded Apps directory you created earlier)
5. As before, use ES file Explorer to locate the APK file and install the app.

See our VPN for firestick article if you want to know how to install a VPN on firestick.

Installing a VPN on a Router

Getting a VPN for a DD-WRT router is a much easier way of connecting your Kindle to a VPN server. A VPN flashed router automatically connects all the devices in your home to a VPN server (including your Kindle).

Each of the VPN providers in our best 5 VPNs for Kindle article has instructions on its website on how to install the VPN on a router. The range of routers that each VPN caters for is also listed on each site. Check that you have the right make and type of router for a VPN company before you sign up for the service.

To purchase a ready flashed VPN router you can head to Flashrouters.com.

ExpressVPN – the best VPN for Kindle – sells a pre-flashed router with the VPN installed on its website. It will protect all the devices in your home with the VPN.

Title image credit: Erlo Brown/Shutterstock.com

Written by: Ray Walsh

Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He’s been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more.

I have successfully installed Norton Security with Backup on three PCs, a Samsung Tablet, and two Samsung Galaxy S4 smart phones. But the instructions for installing it on a mobile device don’t seem to work on my wife’s Kindle Fire. The install program downloads a ZIP file, but when I try to open and run it I get a message that the “file cannot be opened,” with (of course) no explanation of why not. I can install Norton Mobile Security from the Kindle Store, but when I open it I find I have the “Lite” version, and it doesn’t seem to have all the features of the version on our other mobile devices. How can I install the full version of this program on my wife’s Kindle Fire?

Replies

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

As Nikhil_CV says, the Kindle OS is a modified version of the Android OS. As such, it is not supported for the NMS product.

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

Norton Mobile Security-Fire Tablet (Lite) has been available from the Amazon Apps store for some time & I have been using it on my Fire tablet. When I try to down-load the new NMS (Premium) from my Norton manage account, it sends me to the Google Play app store, but Google says my Fire tablet is not compatible. Also, there seems to be no way to register my Fire tablet, with the old Fire tablet version, with my Manage account. I love my 3rd generation Fire tablet & will continue to use the “lite” version of NMS-Fire until Norton supports the Fire in NMS(Premium). They then have to figure out a way to circumvent the Google store ban on downloading to Amazon devices, probably by posting the app on Amazon, just as they did with the current Fire lite version.

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

As already noted, NMS is not available for your device on the Google Play store because of the modifications to the Android OS made by Amazon for the Kindle devices. This is the only official release channel for the Norton products.

If you are able to install NMS from another source, like 1Mobile, it is likely someone has modified something in the app to make it compatible. Doing so can compromise your device, as you do not know what other changes may have been made. This weakened security is pointed out by the need to enable install from unknown sources. That disables one of the first lines of defence against getting malware installed alongside some app you want.

From the 1mobile market FAQ

Before operating a manual installation of apps using the .apk files, you need to allow your phone to install from “Unknown Sources” (i.e. non-Market apps)at first.

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

I have been using Amazon Fire products for a while now (phone & tablets), have down-loaded apps from several third party download sites, with nary a problem, including security breaches. I think the Google/Android Play store paranoia is overrated. There is a work-around (link below) that provides an anonymous download of actual vendor apks, including NMS, to a Fire device which avoids the Google censorship:

.Just be sure to read all the caveats including on this “Love My Fire” website.

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

have down-loaded apps from several third party download sites, with nary a problem, including security breaches.

I’m not saying you will have issues. Just that there is a greater chance of getting some malware from a non developer source.

If it works for you, all the better.

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

The “Love My Fire” website now has a method to install Google Play on Kindle Fire, so that you can download any app directly from the Google store. There is a lot of good stuff on this site.

As far as I can tell, when you select “Install Apps from Unknown Sources”, that merely means that you can install apps that don’t come from the Amazon store. All the warnings about third party apps still apply, but this particular feature does not seem to add any additional levels of security.

I think I’m going to try this to install the Norton Core app and the Norton Security app.

Re: How to install Norton Security on a Kindle Fire

Posted: 01-Dec-2019 | 4:07PM · Edited: 05-Dec-2019 | 4:10AM · Permalink

[Admin Edit – comment and replies moved to its own forum post]

This thread is closed from further comment. Please visit the forum to start a new thread.

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Blog » Restrictions » Unlock Your Kindle and Use Kindle Unlimited Abroad

Unlock Your Kindle and Use Kindle Unlimited Abroad

Learn how you can unblock your Amazon devices like Kindle and your Kindle Unlimited account – no matter where you are.

What is Kindle Unlimited?

Kindle Unlimited is a service provided by Amazon which lets customers read over a million e-books and listen to thousands of audiobooks on their devices or through the Kindle App. I’m also a fan because it gives me free access to magazines like Good Housekeeping , Popular Science , Golf Magazine and Entrepreneur .

This service is available for just $9.99/month in the United States. I started out with a free, 30-day trial to test if I’d like it and immediately became a customer.

In other countries, Kindle Unlimited is more expensive: In the UK, it’s £7.99/month (about $10.14). In Australia, it’s available for 13.99 AUD/month (about 9.87 USD). In Germany, it’s €9.99/month (about $11.41).

Kindle Unlimited’s Limitations

Now, while I do really love this service, the all-you-can-read Kindle Unlimited service isn’t as unlimited as the name suggests.

Put simply, if you want to use your Kindle without limits, there are two basic problems:

1. You’re stuck with the Kindle Unlimited catalog available in your country – if your country is lucky enough to have a catalog. Residents of the United States have access to a great selection of over a million books. Unfortunately, people living outside the US often have to settle for a much smaller catalog – or don’t have any access to Kindle Unlimited whatsoever. Even if they purchase an American Kindle account, they can’t use it unless they travel to the US.
2. If you happen to be outside your home country, Kindle Unlimited won’t let you download new books. As soon as you step outside your country’s borders, Amazon detects your new location based on your IP address and keeps you from fully using the service you’ve paid for.

If you’re anything like me, the best time to read a good book is while you’re on vacation. Not only that, but the best time to pick a good book to read might just be once you’ve gotten away from the daily grind and have a couple hours to browse some possible titles. I planned on doing just this on a recent vacation, but was surprised to find that my Kindle Unlimited access was being affected by geo-restrictions as soon as I booted up my device.

Other Kindle Limitations

Kindles aren’t just for reading. When your eyes are tired and you want to listen to Spotify, or you want to zone out and watch Amazon Prime Video on your Kindle Fire, you might also discover that the streaming accounts you’re already paying for are inaccessible depending on where you’re located abroad.

It’s not just streaming accounts. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are blocked in countries like China and other places that censor their citizens on the web. That means in order to access the apps and sites you’re used to getting on your Kindle device, you’ll need a workaround.

How a VPN Gets Around Geo-Restrictions

Good news: The workaround is pretty simple.

Amazon is able to block you from your Kindle account or from buying into the Kindle Unlimited library of your choice by looking at your IP and determining where you’re located. But what if there was a way to change your IP so it appeared to be based in another country?

Fortunately, that’s exactly what a VPN like SaferVPN does. By routing all your Internet traffic through a server housed in a country of your choice, you can easily make it appear to Amazon (or Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, etc.) that you’re actually in that country. This will remove the geo-restrictions Amazon throws up in your face when all you want to do is download a new book.

Changing your IP address will also let you shop around for the Kindle Unlimited account of your choice, regardless of whether you’re traveling. For example, if you’re in the UK but want to get an account with the US service, simply change your online location via SaferVPN’s app and make Amazon think you’re located stateside. Then purchase an account as though you were located in America.

Of course, VPNs don’t just unlock the web for Kindles. They help unblock the Internet on all your devices – your laptop, your smartphone, your tablet, etc. – so you can browse the web with total freedom, as well as privacy.

VPNs also work to unblock apps and streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu and more – allowing you to use these platforms no matter where you’re located.

How to Set Up SaferVPN on Kindle

Once you’ve decided to say goodbye to Internet restrictions and start using Kindle Unlimited without limits, the question becomes: How do you set up SaferVPN on your Kindle?

On Most Kindle Models

Sadly, newer Kindle models and other devices running FireOS (version 5 or later) don’t have native VPN support.

But don’t worry! There are still a few ways to solve the problem.

1. You can create a VPN-enabled virtual hotspot on your laptop, and then connect to that hotspot with your Kindle device.
2. You can also connect your Kindle to a DD-WRT router that you connect to SaferVPN.
3. There’s also a more technical approach called “rooting,” whereby you replace Kindle’s OS with a more standard version of Android. However, that’s something I don’t recommend you doing since it can void your device’s warranty, and so I don’t cover it here.

On Your Kindle Fire (with FireOS version 4 or earlier)

If you’re using a Kindle Fire tablet with version 4 or earlier, you’re lucky, because it has native support for PPTP and the more secure L2TP protocols. If you’re not familiar with this kind of tech-speak, you can read SaferVPN’s guide to VPN protocols to catch up on the tech. To make things simple, just use the more secure L2TP protocol for now.

If your Kindle Fire has FireOS version 4 or earlier, follow these steps to set up a VPN :

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Wireless.
2. Tap VPN and then tap the plus sign to edit your VPN settings.
3. Enter your SaferVPN login information:
   1. Name: SaferVPN
   2. Type: Your chosen security protocol (I suggest using PPTP)
   3. Server Address: Your desired country from SaferVPN’s server list
   4. PPP encryption (MPPE) : Select if PPP encryption (MPPE) is required
4. Tap Save. Your SaferVPN profile will then appear on the VPN screen.
5. Tap SaferVPN from the VPN screen.
6. Fill in your SaferVPN username and password.
7. Tap Connect.

Summary

By using SaferVPN with your Kindle device, you can use your Kindle Unlimited account and other entertainment services no matter where you are in the world. Though more recent FireOS devices no longer have native VPN support, it’s still really simple to use them with a VPN using the steps above!

The Amazon Kindle Fire is a great little tablet, but if you plan to use it outside the US then you need be a little sneaky.

First of all if you plan to purchase a Kindle Fire and you do not live in the US then I suggest that you read this article: How to Buy the Kindle Fire From Outside the US. If you already have Kindle Fire or you have one on the way then read on.

What Works and What Needs to be Fixed

So out of the box almost all features work while others need a little help in order to get going. One feature will not work at this moment unless you have an American credit card – more about that later.

First lets talk about what works out of the box: Newsstand, Books, Music, Video, Docs, Web. So basically all that needs tweaking is the apps. At the moment you can only trick Amazon into letting you install free apps. To actually purchase apps you will need an American credit card – for me that is not an issue as I use the Kindle Fire to read books and watch movies on Amazon Prime and . So lets move on to installing apps.

How to Install Apps on the Kindle Fire Outside the US

In order to install apps on your Kindle Fire you will need an American credit card – “but hang on didn’t you just say that I could install free apps on the Kindle Fire”? Yes I did and it is true. In order to install apps at all you need to have an American credit card setup under your 1-click settings in your Amazon Account. Amazon will check if the credit card you have in your account is an American Credit card, but not charge it when you add it to your account or download a free app.

Below is a list of test card numbers used by developers for validating check out processes when building web stores – and guess what they can be used with Amazon ☺. I have of course not checked all numbers but I am sure you will find one you can use on the list.

Expiration Date has to be a valid date in the future (use the mmyy format). Also make sure to use a US address (just Google for one, but make sure you don’t ship any purchases to this address)

If you travel a lot or have to deal with waiting rooms on a regular basis, you (sadly) can’t bring your entire personal library with you.

What you can bring is your e-reader, and out of those, Amazon’s Fire tablet is the cream of the crop.

You can takeВ your entire digital collection with you and find other benefits such as magazines and newspapers to fill those five minute gaps, but what about the risks of using such a device?

Hackers and cybercriminals will attack just about any device that they can get data from, and with the Internet capabilities of the Fire and the personal data (even simple account information) kept on most devices, you can expect yourself to be a target.

It isn’t that the problems can’t be managed. Rather, it is that you should know the risks so you can plan on how to use your device accordingly.

Here are a few things you need to know about the Fire and its unique security risks:

What security features does the Fire have?

If you compare FiresВ to other major devices on the market that act as tablets or computers, not all that many.

Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with too many viruses and other malicious programs that target Kindles given the higher profitability of other devices, but those devices are better prepared. The Fire has some barebones features concerning security, and it might behoove you to get a security app if you browse the internet often.

That said, if you don’t plan on using the Fire for anything other than reading your e-books, you don’t have too much to worry about. Simply disable your WiFi, and you will be all right for the most part, so long as the Fire stays safely in your hands. You will want to enable strong passwords whenever you can on your device and make sure that you don’t have yourself logged into sensitive accounts.

What if your FireВ does get lost or stolen?

What if your Fire does wind up leaving your hands? Perhaps you forget it on the subway and it’s never seen again? Of course you have to deal with the loss of losing the device, and your books and subscriptions are more than likely tied to your accounts so on that front you won’t lose anything. Your information, on the other hand, will be at considerable risk. Try to make sure you know where it is at all times.

In the event that your Fire gets stolen, you will want to change the passwords to any account you’ve ever used on your Fire immediately. Even if you’ve put verification measures on your device (and you absolutely need to) they won’t last too long when a concerted effort is made by cybercriminals. Once they get into your device, they could potentially steal your accounts and perform identity theft, which is a nightmare to combat.

Public networks

The largest hidden danger that you have to worry about on your Fire is that of hackers on public networks, against which Fires (and most other devices) have no default defense. On these networks (such as those you find at cafes and government buildings), hackers will often lurk and, with a simple setup, intercept any data you send or receive over the network. This means any account you use on your Kindle Fire (including your Amazon account) is compromised, and the hackers will work quickly to take advantage of the info.

The best way you can defend yourself on these networks is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which is a service that allows you to connect your device to an offsite secure server with an encrypted connection. This connection will protect you on any network and let absolutely no one take a look at your browsing habits. You can even use one in conjunction with your Fire to watch Netflix anywhere in the world you want (in the rare event you get tired of reading), as it can make you appear as though you are browsing anywhere you want—though since Netflix has decided to crack down on such services, it remains to be seen whether this will continue to be possible in the longer term.

Browsing online

Fires, like nearly any tablet, have a web browser that you can use to check the news or perform simple online tasks. Perhaps you use it to check up on your favorite blog. As for whether it is safe, that depends mostly on you and your habits. To remain safe on your device, you will want to do the following:

• Be careful of the websites you visit. Make sure that you know what you click on and only use websites you trust. Malware does exist for e-readers, and it is extremely difficult to remove.
• Beware of scams and other schemes meant to take your personal information. The internet doesn’t change no matter what device you use it on, and scams keep appearing online because they work often enough. Remember that many things are in fact too good to be true.
• Don’t give away too much personal information online. Giving away your email one minute can lead to a load of problems the next minute. Don’t be afraid to remain anonymous and put a high value on your privacy.

Kindles have evolved from simple reading devices in their original incarnation to a tablet that can help us live our lives. Yet in that transition the tablet gained several vulnerabilities that we should be wary of and defend against. There is nothing to fear as long as you make the right precautions and don’t overshare what you have on your Fire. Don’t forget that your smartphone is a great device for managing your other tasks.

Have you ever been concerned for your security when using your Fire? Do you feel as though there is an additional security concern that people should know about? Any interesting stories to tell or opinions to share? If so, please leave a comment below so this important topic can be discussed further.