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CNET Editors' review
As one of the easiest VPNs to set up and use, Hotspot Shield Elite safeguards your online identity and information without any glitches. It's nice in a pinch, but it's not nearly as powerful when compared to some other premium options available. Its simplicity might win the day for you, though.
Though Hotspot Shield Elite lets you download and surf without a bandwidth cap, you are limited to seven days before you have to pay. There is a wholly free version, but it's riddled with ads. Once you've registered with Hotspot Shield, protecting your surfing only requires one click and no complicated setup. The program drops an icon into your browser's URL so you always know whether or not it's on. Though it encrypts your surfing, if you try to download a torrent it may throttle your connection. All other downloads will be encrypted, though. The download will use all of the speed of your current connection to load pages, download, and upload. There are no file-sharing capabilities that come with this VPN.
Storage and file-sharing are usually the bread and butter of a VPN. However, if you don't need these features, Hotspot Shield Elite is okay. It protects your privacy and does it with all of the speed you're used to.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Hotspot Shield Elite 2.90.
Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
Hotspot Shield Elite VPN, Virtual Private Network, service adds a layer of "must have" protection when connecting your computer to the Internet by establishing a secure tunnel. The secure tunnel uses VPN technology to keep your online identity and information safe from hackers and snoopers. Hotspot Shield Elite allows you to browse the Internet anonymously. As you move around the Internet, your information cannot be tracked. Elite's service exchanges your IP address for an Elite IP address, keeping your information secure and private. Elite's VPN service provides access to Expats and Travelers' favorite sites when away from home. Plus, Elite users enjoy complete malware protection from over 3 million known and suspected web domains including Malware, Illegal or Phishing, Infected and Spam sites and Content Farms. Most trusted consumer VPN, used by more than 10 million users in over 50 countries; Only VPN that allows you to remain 100% anonymous; No username/password required to log into Elite service; Includes Complete Cloud Malware protection; Provides protections from more than 3 million known Malware sites; Dedicated Technical support team.
What's new in this version: Version 2.88 features Windows 8 performance improvements and maintenance.
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 26 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 3 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-3 of 3
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"Affordable VPN software"
Version: Hotspot Shield Elite 2.90
Pros
What's not to love? Secures your computer and protects your computer from all types of malware. The free version only protects you from some malware sites. Paid version is worth it to get that extra protection.
Cons
There aren't any.
Summary
I think Hotspot Shield is underrated...it's a really good affordable VPN. I wasn't a big fan of the ads in the free version, so paying made it worth it. Plus theres just other benefits for Elite that the free version doesn't have.
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"No longer Elite for no reason"
Version: Hotspot Shield Elite 2.90
Pros
Worked when it worked. Seems to do what it claims on the free version.
Cons
Recovering an elite account so so difficult it seems they made it that way on purpose. They still have not fixed mine as of this writing.
Summary
Hotspot shield works great when it's working but if you need tech support be ready for generic answers that don't even address your problem. I paid for a 1 year elite subscription which is supposed to be good on 5 devices however I can't get it to work on anything other then the original laptop. When I use the elite code I was given it says "already in use". Well yea it's in use and I need to use it 4 more times but it won't let me. Buyer beware.
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"Paid version is SO WORTH IT."
Version: Hotspot Shield Elite 2.90
Pros
-No ads
-Malware protection.
Windows is notorious for getting viruses and stuff. I'm not a fan of Windows, but my work provides me a Windows laptop to use during my business trips...so it's nice to know my work laptop is protected from malware and viruses.Cons
There's nothing bad to say about the software. I think the Elite version was worth paying for.
Results 1-3 of 3
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