Kodi is an entertainment software that allows you to collect, store, and play all kinds of media, from movies to TV shows to music to podcasts.
Kodi comes in many different forms. They make Kodi boxes, TVs, apps, and more. Originally, Kodi was designed for Xbox, but now it can be used on all of your devices. You can think of Kodi as an all-in-one entertainment hub. Kodi relies on add-ons for its functionality. There are tons of add-ons that you can use with it while you use Kodi for legal streaming. These third-party add-ons give Kodi its versatility but also makes Kodi potentially risky. In this article, we’ll explain in detail what Kodi is, why the add-ons can be problematic, and explain how to use Kodi safely.
More about Kodi
Kodi takes your computer, phone, tablet, or other devices into a streamer/digital set-top box. With Kodi, you can stream files from the web or from local storage. The Kodi software is compatible with OS X, Linux, Windows, Android, and even Raspberry Pi. Essentially, it’ll probably work with any of the devices you use to regularly stream content. It works on iOS, but the device needs to be jailbroken first.
Risks Associated with Kodi Add-ons
Other media streamers, , such as Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, but Kodi is different. The other ones go through a curated app store. You know when you stream on Apple TV that the content has the proper licensing. With Kodi, you can download all kinds of specific Kodi apps and add-ons. These add-ons can be made by just about anyone. You have no way of really knowing if the content is free or if the content is pirated.
A lot of people wonder if Kodi is legal. In its standard from Kodi is completely legal. It is not considered an illegal streaming device by authorities. The problem lies with the third-party add-ons. They aren’t overseen by Kodi. Illicit devices are devices that give you access to pirated material—material you didn’t pay for but should have. Kodi doesn’t perform this function by itself. But the add-ons can transform Kodi into what is basically an illicit streaming device.
The consequences of piracy vary from one country to the next. In some countries, if convicted of piracy you could spend up to five years in prison or pay up to a $250,000 fine. While people download pirated content all the time and don’t face punishment, it’s generally not worth the risk. You don’t want a felony on your record if you can easily avoid it.
You can find best Kodi add-ons here.
Use a VPN
The real problem is that when using third-party add-ons you can’t always tell what content is free to the public and what content is pirated. Using a VPN is the best way to safely use Kodi. A VPN service redirects your online activity to a remote server run by the VPN provider and encrypts it. By sending your online traffic through an encrypted tunnel, VPNs allow you to hide both your identity and your location. While it is great to use Kodi for legal streaming, using a Kodi will cover your back if you accidentally stream something that has been pirated. As they say, you are better safe than sorry. Since your IP address will be concealed, governments and other entities won’t be able to trace the activity back to you.
It is important to note that not all VPNs are equal. Some VPNs offer better security than others. A lot of it comes down to what protocol and encryption the VPN uses. Look for the VPN protocol called OpenVPN. This is widely considered the best protocol for VPNs. The encryption you want AES with 256 bit-keys. This is the industry standard. Anything else will give you weaker encryption. You also want a VPN that has a kill switch. Although it doesn’t happen frequently, a VPN connection can drop. A kill switch automatically blocks the device if the VPN connection breaks. This means if you’re using Kodi and the connection drops, the kill switch will activate and prevent you from exposing yourself. Our favourite VPN for Kodi is NordVPN. NordVPN has a kill switch, the OpenVPN protocol, and military-grade encryption. It also has one of the best reputations in the VPN world.
Kodi can give you access to an almost endless supply of movies, TV shows, podcasts, songs, and countless other media. A lot of this comes from third-party add-ons. While Kodi is an excellent entertainment software, you have to be careful using it. Governments are cracking down on piracy and you don’t want to become an example. Your best option is to install a VPN.
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