Introduction
Smart TVs have become very popular in modern homes for streaming shows, movies, sports, and more. Leading models like LG TVs are packed with convenient apps and capabilities that make cutting cables easier than ever. However, connecting a big screen directly online also introduces risks around data harvesting for ads targeting and geo-restrictions limiting media libraries based on location. This is where virtual private networks (VPNs) like NordVPN come in to take back control of privacy while unlocking worldwide media content catalogs.
While LG TVs lack native VPN clients, the functionality can be added by installing NordVPN at the router level to encrypt all traffic including smart TV usage. This guide covers router-based setup steps plus additional methods and benefits of accessing region-free streams securely on your LG television with NordVPN.
Can NordVPN be Installed Directly on LG TVs?
Since LG smart TV firmware lacks VPN protocol support and configurability of computing devices, NordVPN or most other services cannot be deployed directly without advanced technical modifications. You won’t find NordVPN listed among LG content store apps.
However, by handling VPN connections at the router level, all devices connected including LG televisions can benefit transparently from NordVPN security and spoofing ability. Some manual device configurations may be necessary after router setup.
Setting Up NordVPN on Your LG TV via Router
To leverage NordVPN encryption and location-masking when streaming from an LG TV, connection has to be configured on the local network router instead. Here is the typical setup process:
- Sign up for a NordVPN plan at NordVPN.com with your email address. This will be used to authenticate when connecting devices.
- Depending on your router firmware and model, download either NordVPN’s Linux builds, configs files for popular models like ASUS, TP-Link or step-by-step guides for DD-WRT, Tomato routers to help with manual installation.
- Locate and install these NordVPN router files onto your router administrative interface or command line if supporting OpenWRT, DD-WRT etc.
- Reboot the configured router and sign into NordVPN via generated credentials to establish encrypted VPN tunnel.
With VPN active on router, you can now access apps like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer etc on the LG Smart TV and stream region-restricted catalogs.
Alternative NordVPN Setup Methods
If your router model has compatibility issues running NordVPN directly, alternatives like installing the app on an external travel router, using a Raspberry Pi as a VPN gateway or setting up VPN on your laptop to share access via hotspot may technically work.
These options all require more networking know-how and additional hardware purchases however. Simpler to upgrade the existing router if necessary to support NordVPN apps natively through firmware.
Why Use NordVPN for Streaming on LG TV?
Beyond unlocking worldwide media content, central reasons for routing your LG TV traffic through NordVPN include:
Enhanced Privacy – Prevents ISPs from harvesting viewing data for ads targeting and protects personal data like account credentials entered from spying eyes.
Improved Security – Encrypts smart TV traffic over public WiFi hotspots guarding against man-in-the-middle attacks and wifi spoofing dangers. Critical when streaming outside the home.
Bypass Geographic Restrictions – Masks LG TV location allowing accessing larger libraries not available due to licensing deals. Experience all entertainment offerings regardless of geography.
Shield Identifying Data – Masks IP address and device fingerprints that broadcast personal information to each server accessed by smart TV apps. Keep anonymity.
While setup requires some effort, the privacy, security and content accessibility payoffs make getting NordVPN operational on your LG Smart TV well worth it!
Reach out for any other specific questions on implementation details for your home network setup.
Conclusion
Like computers and smartphones, LG web-connected televisions carry privacy and security risks that open easy attack vectors for personal data harvesting as well as geolocation restrictions limiting your entertainment potential.
Leveraging NordVPN connections via your home router lets you encrypt, anonymize and spoof location for LG smart TV usage – unlocking maximum streaming catalog breadth safely accessible from your couch.
While the LG webOS platform itself cannot run a native NordVPN app, router-level configurations enable transparent traffic encryption protecting everything connected on your home network. Added protections well worth the effort that better safeguard identities and provide whole-home streaming freedom. The internet opens up greatly once borders disappear!