Streaming live sports content using a VPN
We all love watching a good sports match, be it basketball, football, cricket etc. However, we also know that it is not that easy to get good quality content that is conveniently accessible.
Surely, there is nothing more annoying than not being able to watch the most anticipated match live on your computer screens.
One might wonder as to why watch a live match on a PC or a laptop when one can easily watch it on a television. This may be true to some extent.
The problem is, that not all people like to watch their favorite match in the open as they simply love the privacy they get while watching it on their personal laptop screens. However, it is not always the case that your internet allows you to watch your favorite match in the first place.
So, let us explore the common problems that people face while trying to live stream a sports match and explore some ways in which these problems can be solved.
Common problems associated with live streaming
One of the most common problems encountered by sports enthusiasts is that which involves content restrictions. That is, it is usual for some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and countries to block certain content from certain sources due to various reasons.
As such, it is possible that the sports match you are trying to stream is not available in your country or is restricted by your particular ISP. This may be because of certain censorship laws in your country or simply because your ISP has a contract with the particular institution that has organized the match.
Regardless, it can be very frustrating to realize that certain types of content are not available to you.
Another problem that people face while trying to live stream almost anything, and not just sports, is the slow speed of the internet. This makes the experience significantly dull as the video keeps getting stuck midway and you simply do not enjoy watching the broken images appearing on the screen.
Furthermore, even if the content is available to you, it is not uncommon that such live stream videos are available on websites that can prove to be malicious. That is, the websites that stream live content are mostly filled with advertisements and can contain harmful malware and adware.
This can harm your system if there are no safety measures put in place and it is possible for an attacker to find out your exact location based on your computer’s IP address and hence track you down.
So, is there a way to circumvent all these problems?
Using a VPN to ease your life
A common solution to the problems mentioned above lies in nothing but a good quality and robust VPN. But before we delve into how a VPN can help you, it is worthwhile to consider as to what a VPN actually is.
To begin with, a virtual private network or VPN is a set of protocols that encrypts your data and reroutes it through the dedicated VPN server rather than that of your ISP.
This implies that all your internet traffic does not use your original ISP to get transmitted. Rather, it uses the server of your VPN provider and hence, your ISP cannot know what you do on the internet while you are connected to the VPN.
This also implies that your IP address changes to what the VPN server assigns you. Your original IP address provided to you by your ISP gets hidden which means no one can find out your exact location.
How does it help you watch your favorite sports match? Now that you know how a VPN works, it is time to see how it can help you watch your favorite match. VPN servers can be anywhere in the world and you can sign up for a service that allows you to stream content that might be restricted in your country or by your ISP.
For instance, if the sports match you are trying to live stream is available to watch in Australia and not in your home country, you can buy a VPN service that has servers in Australia.
This will allow you to connect to the Australian server and let you access any content that is available in Australia. It will be as if you are operating your internet from Australia. Hence, you can easily watch your favorite sports match without any kind of restrictions placed by your ISP or by your country.
Other benefits of a VPN
One of the benefits of a VPN is that it offers anonymity to a certain extent. This is because, by changing your IP address, it prevents any outsider from tracking your exact location.
Furthermore, you can connect to any public Wi-Fi hotspot since you will not run the danger of being hacked by a cyber criminal who is usually on the lookout for victims on such public networks, which are normally not secure.
In addition, if you have bought a good quality VPN, you will benefit from a faster speed. This is especially true if the VPN server is in a location that is geographically closer to you. It will make sure that you can enjoy an uninterrupted spell of the most awaited sports match.
Lastly, and most importantly, VPNs make sure that you do not become a subject of a cyber crime that involves malware while you are on unknown websites that are streaming live content. As mentioned earlier, such websites are usually brimming with various ads and it is likely that your system may get infected with a stubborn adware. However, since you are on a VPN, you are protected due to being anonymous and out of the eyes of potential attackers.
Conclusion Buying a VPN can give you the freedom you want with your internet activities. It will not only allow you to access restricted content but also let you benefit from an increased level of privacy.
Rachael Chapman
A Complete gamer and a Tech Geek. Brings out all her thoughts and love in writing blogs on IOT, software, technology etc
