How to stream safely while traveling outside the US

Traveling abroad used to mean leaving your normal entertainment routine at home. Now, your streaming subscriptions can come with you. However, hotels, airports and cafés often mean unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks and different streaming catalogs.

If you want to stream safely while traveling outside the U.S., a VPN, or , can help. It creates an encrypted connection between your device and the VPN server. That adds useful protection when you are on a network you do not control.

A VPN can also let you choose a server in your home country. That can be useful when you sign in to streaming services you already use. Still, content availability depends on the service, your subscription and local licensing rules. Here's what to know before you travel so you can protect your connection, stream more smoothly and avoid surprises along the way.

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INSTANTLY UPGRADE YOUR STREAMING: AT HOME AND WHEN TRAVELING

Free Wi-Fi makes travel easier. Yet you often do not know who runs the network, how it is configured or who else is connected. Most major websites and apps already use HTTPS encryption. Even so, a VPN adds another encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. That can reduce what the local network can learn about your internet activity.

This protection is useful beyond streaming. You may check email, book a reservation or sign in to an account while you are away. Turning on a VPN before using unfamiliar Wi-Fi adds another layer of privacy. Of course, a VPN does not make every public network risk-free. You should still avoid suspicious Wi-Fi names, keep your devices updated and use strong account security.

Streaming can get more complicated when you cross international borders. A service may offer one catalog in the U.S. and another or Australia. Licensing agreements, regional rights and company policies often determine what appears. A VPN can be useful here because it gives you a secure way to connect to the internet while you sign in to subscriptions you normally use at home. You can also choose a VPN server in the U.S. when you need a U.S.-based connection.

However, a VPN does not guarantee access to a particular show, movie, channel or sporting event. Streaming companies set their own terms of use and regional availability rules. A program you watch at home may therefore be unavailable at your destination. Before you travel, check your streaming provider's current policies and the availability of anything you especially want to watch.

If you want a secure U.S. connection while traveling, set everything up before you leave. That way, you are not troubleshooting from an airport lounge or hotel room.

Choose a reputable VPN service and create your acco