• Surfshark released app for Amazon's Fire TV sticks running Vega OS
• It utilizes WireGuard protocol to boost streaming quality
• Surfshark joins NordVPN and IPVanish in offering native Vega OS support

Surfshark has just launched a brand-new app built from the ground up for Amazon's latest Fire TV Stick versions.

Because Amazon is transitioning its newer Fire TV Stick 4K Select devices to a proprietary system called Vega OS, older Android-based applications are no longer compatible. By downloading the new Surfshark app directly from the Amazon Appstore, users can now secure their streaming habits in just a few clicks.

Surfshark joins NordVPN and IPVanish in offering native Vega OS support.

Why your Fire TV needs dedicated protection

Smart TVs are a prime target for classic hacker frauds, particularly Man-in-the-Middle attacks. In these scenarios, bad actors intercept the data flowing between your television and your streaming services. If left unprotected, this can expose your account credentials and even your payment information.

The risks skyrocket if you travel with your Fire TV Stick. Plugging your device into a hotel TV or connecting to an Airbnb's public Wi-Fi network leaves your data exposed to anyone monitoring the local network to steal personal data.

"We worked on the new Vega OS app with our 'online security made easy' mindset,” explained Justas Pukys, Senior Product Manager at Surfshark.

This means that, Pukys explains, the VPN fully protects you from snoopers like internet service providers, third parties, and bad actors as it encrypts all your online activities. "This ensures your traffic is secure, and your streaming habits and personal data are private, known only to you," he adds.

Pukys further warned that hackers are constantly testing new deployment techniques. "Fire TV users, along with other smart TV enthusiasts, need to ensure protection against cyberattacks by enabling a VPN, as hackers are constantly testing and deploying new techniques that can start with your smart TV and compromise your entire smart home ecosystem."

Smoother streams and the race to Vega OS

Beyond security, the new Vega OS app is designed to enhance your everyday streaming experience. The Surfshark app supports WireGuard, a highly efficient and fast VPN protocol that ensures your connections remain stable while watching high-definition content.

Crucially, encrypting your traffic stops ISP throttling dead in its tracks. If your internet service provider tries to artificially slow down your connection because it detects heavy streaming activity, Surfshark masks that data so you can stream without buffering.

Furthermore, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can secure your Fire TV Stick, laptop, and smartphone all at once under a single account.

The launch makes Surfshark a vital addition to a very small list of providers supporting Amazon's new ecosystem. Until recently, only two VPNs were ready for the next-gen Fire TV.

NordVPN broke ground first with a native Linux-based app for the platform, ensuring early adopters weren't left unprotected. Shortly after, IPVanish joined the race, offering its own dedicated Vega OS application.

With Surfshark now entering the fray, consumers finally have a healthy variety of top-tier VPN options for their next-generation streaming sticks.

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Rene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.