Thunder VPN is a free Android VPN that allows individuals to redirect their IP address to one of nine different locations across the globe. Thunder VPN was developed by SigLab in Arkansas and apparently is under US jurisdiction within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. 

Full disclosure-Thunder VPN isn’t a top-of-the-line product. It has some pretty sketchy details about it such as payment information and registrations in their privacy policy, but they never ask for registration when you sign up.

It’s not recommended for somebody who is looking for serious privacy protection. It’s geared more towards people looking to get around school or hotel WiFi connections. 

If you’re still thinking about using Thunder VPN, here is some more information. 

Is Thunder VPN Worth It?

Now onto Thunder VPN. This is a completely free Android-only VPN service. There isn’t much information on their website regarding what it has to offer, but we do know that it has 9 servers. When you want to download it, you will be directed to the Google Play Store. This gives you some more information regarding the app, but not a whole lot. 

We don’t suggest using it for anything more than trying to get past a secure WiFi network in a hotel or school. This is because it doesn’t offer too much security, but then again, it’s free. 

The Good

The good part of Thunder VPN is that it’s free and the app is easy to use. You only have to click once to switch servers and it only takes roughly two to three seconds to connect. 

The Discouraging

Unfortunately, this program has more disappointments than anything. For starters, there’s a massive lack of information about the service. The website is riddled with scattered sentences and misspelled words. 

Next, there’s not much of a privacy policy. It does specify that it doesn’t log or collect traffic data. When you download the app, you don’t have to input any identifying information.

However, it does collect a lot more information than other VPN programs do such as device language, email address, choice of server location, ISP, IP address, OS version, and so much more. Additionally, you have to allow the program to monitor network traffic. Without this, the app won’t work. 

Furthermore, it’s extremely slow. Since there are only 9 servers and over 10 million users, the servers get clogged. Tests have shown a 96& drop off in speed when the VPN is being used. However, you can still stream videos, but the quality won’t be superb. 

Lastly, you can’t stream Netflix using Thunder VPN. They have yet to find a way around the proxy blockers. Fortunately, you can stream BBC iPlayer, but with slow download speeds. You can also leech torrents, but you shouldn’t anyway because Thunder VPN collects a lot of data about you and your connection. As we all know, downloading torrents is illegal. 

Thunder VPN For Firestick: How To Install

Since the Amazon Firestick is an Android device, Thunder VPN can be installed on it so that you can stream from anywhere in the world. It’s not as simple to install as it would be on a cell phone or tablet, so let’s go over how to do it. 

  1. Locate the Lens icon on the home screen. Once the keyboard appears, type the word Downloader and search. Click on the Downloader app that’s listed under Apps & Games. Click on Download or the Get icon to install the app. 
  2. Once it has installed, click on Open and launch the Downloader app. 
  3. Open the search bar and type https://bit.ly/2BDPtaM. This is the link for the Thunder VPN download. Once it loads, click install. 
  4. Once it’s installed, click on Done and then Delete. Clicking delete will remove the apk file. 
  5. Next, click open or launch on Thunder VPN on the app section of the Firestick. 
  6. Accept the terms of service once you launch the app.
  7. 7. Lastly, click Connect to start the VPN service securely.

What Is A VPN?

Before you search for a VPN provider, it’s important to fully understand what a VPN is and what it does. To start, a VPN gives you privacy when online and makes your IP address anonymous. It does this by hiding your internet protocol (IP) address so that what you do online can’t be traced, to a certain extent that is. 

Why Would You Need One?

One of the main reasons people choose to use a VPN is to protect their private information and browsing actions from being exposed over a WiFi network. For those who are overly concerned about their privacy and security while browsing the web. 

When you connect to WiFi, whether to check an email, a bank account, or placing online orders, any of this data that is sent and received over the WiFi network is at risk of being seen by an outside source, such as a hacker. If you log into the WiFi with a password, this risk is reduced. 

Additionally, a VPN can encrypt your data and helps protect your activities such as sending emails, shopping, and more. They even keep your browsing history anonymous. 

How Does It Protect Your Information?

VPN’s create something called a data tunnel. This tunnel starts at your local network and will come out at a completely different location. This location can be hundreds, even thousands of miles away, making it look like you are in another country instead of where you actually are. 

VPN services scramble the data sent over WiFi using encryption. Encryption makes data unreadable, an important feature of any VPN as it increases security and privacy. Additionally, without using a VPN service, your internet provider can view all of your browsing histories.

With a VPN, this history is well hidden. This is because any browser activity that goes through the VPN is no longer yours. What this means is that your activity can appear on any one of the VPN’s servers, which in Thunder VPN’s case, any one of their nine locations. 

What Can A VPN Conceal?

A VPN can hide more information than you may think. Here’s exactly what it can hide: 

  • Browsing history
  • IP address
  • Streaming location
  • Your devices
  • Web activity

Let’s break each one of these down: 

Browsing History

When you access the internet without a VPN, your ISP can see everything you have done, all websites visited, all torrents downloaded, etc. Additionally, websites visited may also keep track of what was done on the website. Web browsers can then track everything you have searched for and link it to your unprotected IP address. 

Location & IP Address

Your search history and location can be accessed by anybody who obtains your IP address. Your IP address works like a return label on something that you may send somebody in the mail. Anything you do on the internet will lead back to your device. 

A VPN service such as Thunder VPN can hide your IP address and location. Your history will be protected and anything you do online will be anonymous. 

Streaming Location

If you have streaming services that allow you to watch sports or movies, some of them may not be available when you are out of the country. If you have a VPN, it can bounce off of your home country’s signals so you can stream what you want to. This can also stop speed throttling and the use of extra data. 

Device Protection

A VPN keeps your devices protected whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or cell phone. Your devices can become targets for cybercriminals who want to steal information. This is especially true if you frequently use public WiFi connections. 

Web Activity Protection

We do not condone this in any way, but if you are a prime candidate for government surveillance, a VPN can help protect you against your ISP releasing your history to the government.

So if a government agency asks your ISP for your information, there won’t be any to give. Again, we do not suggest using a VPN just to hide from the government. 

How To Pick A VPN Service

Now, when it comes to choosing a VPN service, there are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself. Do you want to mask your IP address? Do you want to watch your shows from anywhere in the world? Do you want to stream anonymously? Here’s what to look for when choosing the best VPN service for your needs: 

Are they respectful of your privacy? A VPN is meant to protect your privacy, so you need to ensure that the provider respects your privacy as well. Look for a no-log policy, which means they won’t track your online activity. 

Are their protocols up to date? Make sure VPN services are always up to date on their protocols, such as PPTP. 

Are there data limits? Some VPN services have bandwidth data limits. This means you can only upload or download a certain amount of data each month. For somebody who uses a VPN all of the time, this could be a huge issue if there’s a budget in the picture.

Where are the server locations? A VPN service offers a range of locations for your device to bounce off of. If there’s a specific location you have in mind, make sure the VPN you choose has servers in that location. 

The Takeaway

As we have already highlighted, Thunder VPN isn’t the best VPN service out there. It’s mediocre if you will. You can’t do much with it except hide where you are and even then, your privacy is still at risk with all of the information they gather about you and your location.

The app may actually make you feel more uncomfortable about what you look up on the internet. If you don’t feel comfortable with the VPN, then you shouldn’t trust it. 

In Thunder VPN’s case, there are so many discrepancies on its website that it actually steers us away from it. It seems like somebody quickly threw it together without a care in the world.

It’s definitely not the website of a product that wants to keep your privacy secure. If you want top-notch security, it’s worth paying for rather than turning to a free service with sketchy information.