WHILE Amazon has sold more than 200million Fire Sticks worldwide, few know all the nifty tricks their devices are capable of.
Fire Sticks can be used to turn any regular telly into a smart TV, fit with a library of apps.
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Most people use the palm-sized gadget for streaming movies and shows.
Of course, anyone who regularly streams content knows that Wi-Fi can often be a hindrance – and a frustrating one, at that.
But there’s an app that can fix that.
A VPN app – also known as a Virtual Private Network – can dispel a problem called ‘throttling’.
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‘Throttling’ is when your internet service provider slows down your internet on purpose, in an effort to limit your bandwidth on certain websites or apps.
This is because your internet bandwidth is shared by lots of people in a particular area.
It’s designed to stop Wi-Fi hogs from slowing down the service for all of their neighbours.
But it can result in a buffering Fire TV Stick.
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According to CNET, once a Fire Stick is connected to a TV, your VPN app can be used to stop ISP throttling while streaming content or gaming.
A VPN can also help keep your viewing activities hidden from your internet service provider and unblock geographically restricted content.
If you’re unsure which VPN to opt for, The Sun has tested out the best seven apps to choose from.
You’ll need a fast VPN to ensure a smooth viewing experience, especially if you’re streaming in 4K.
Note: Check that VPN use is permitted by your internet service provider in the terms and condition of your contract.
It’s also important to note that a VPN can slow your internet speeds because it adds multiple extra steps to the process of getting data from your home internet network to your internet provider and back.
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