CNET Editors' review
The bottom line: The Internet connection protector Hotspot Shield encrypts your traffic to protect you from all kinds of spying while your computer communicates with the rest of the world. It's a must-have utility for anybody who uses public Wi-Fi networks.
Review:
The Internet connection protector Hotspot Shield encrypts your traffic to protect you from all kinds of spying while your computer communicates with the rest of the world. It's a must-have utility for anybody who uses public Wi-Fi networks, but it's also an excellent tool for ensuring on any network connection that you can access sites and data according to your tastes, and nobody else's. Hotspot Shield's Virtual Private Network services are used by more than 10 million at the time this review was written, according to the software publisher AnchorFree, making it the largest VPN in the world.
The browser-independent Hotspot Shield establishes an encrypted connection to the Hotspot Shield servers, and turns all HTTP traffic to the safer HTTPS. By rerouting Web traffic and providing you with a new IP address hosted by AnchorFree, the company is able to ensure that your data isn't plucked out of the open by man-in-the-middle attacks or wireless network spoofing.
In our tests, we noticed that sometimes the program would actually resolve pages faster than when connected without it. This occurs, most likely, because of the geographic location of the company's servers. During a day of hands-on testing on the notoriously pokey CNET public Wi-Fi network, we noticed that Hotspot Shield Elite was remarkably fast. There were no connection lags despite the re-routing, and the program admirably handled high-definition streaming videos from sites such as Vimeo, YouTube, and CNET TV. We'd recommend the program for improving the Wi-Fi speeds alone, nevermind the additional security benefits.
The free version of Hotspot Shield does come at a small cost. The installation opts you in to two toolbars, one from Hotspot Shield and one from Conduit, which redirects your default search and home page. Also, whenever you activate Hotspot Shield, it will open a new tab to AnchorFree.com and begin autoplaying a video. That's seriously annoying, even in a free product that offers such a valuable service. Still, the toolbars and redirects are optional.
Once installed, it appears as a red system tray icon that turns to green when activated. Right-click to toggle it on or off. Choosing the Properties option opens a new browser tab that tells you that you're connected. Hit the Details link to learn more about your connection, including the VPN IP address, amount of data sent in and out, and how long you've been connected. The data transfer rate makes for a useful, quick-and-dirty gauge for people with data caps.
Hotspot Shield now offers an Elite service, which runs ad-free. Elite costs $0.50 per 24 hour session, with a minimum $10 deposit, or $5 per month, or $45 per year. Payment options include credit card, PayPal, prepaid cash cards or mobile phone payments via premium SMS. Aside from Hotspot Shield Elite's preferential bandwidth priority and lack of ads, there are no built-in additional features in Elite. However, at the time this review was written, AnchorFree had arranged a deal with Skype so that new Elite users get two hours of Skype talk time free when signing up.
The company has created multiple ways to circumvent download blockers in countries with strict censorship, too. If you can't access a Web page with the download, you can send an e-mail to win@anchorfree.com for the Windows version or mac@anchorfree.com for the Mac version, and the small installer file will be sent directly to you.
Note that although the Windows version is 2.06, and the Mac version is 1.582, the features are the same.
Even with the installation shenanigans, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield for anybody concerned with privacy. In today's world, that ought to be anybody connecting a computer to the Internet.
Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
Most public wi-fi hotspots are not secure and make your computer and communications vulnerable to hackers and security breaches. Hotspot Shield gives you a simple solution to maintain your anonymity and protect your privacy when accessing free wi-fi hotspots.
What's new in this version: Faster connection
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 44 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Does what it says"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
vpn that really works
Cons
have not yet found anything wrong with it
Summary
worth the investment of money, especially if you use open wifi networks
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"Contains a lot of ads..."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
HS is relatively good, taking in mind that it is a free service
Cons
The program does starts adds in the top of your browser. Slow down the speed and response
Summary
Hotspot Shield provides you a static IP address, which makes it good for watching US content outside of the US. HS does slow down the speed and response, but the connection seems stable.
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"Contains a lot of ads..."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
HS is relatively good, taking in mind that it is a free service
Cons
The program does starts adds in the top of your browser. Slow down the speed and response
Summary
Hotspot Shield provides you a static IP address, which makes it good for watching US content outside of the US. HS does slow down the speed and response, but the connection seems stable.
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"Great product with a couple of irritations."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
I feel it is a great product for most uses. I use it whenever I choose not to use Yahoo IM or Vuze. I would recommend it to anyone.
Cons
I like it but have to shut it off to use Yahoo IM or Vuze. Cannot open email at school.
Summary
I feel it is a great product for most uses. I use it whenever I choose not to use Yahoo IM or Vuze. I would recommend it to anyone. I have not tried any other IM software to see if it works on it.
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"Google Search Redirect Virus Installed with this"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
Got a free Virus:( Thanks Cnet
Cons
Got a Nasty Virus
Summary
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Installed a Google redirect virus on my laptop. First virus from a CNET download on my computer. Not Cool! -
"Excellent product!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
Great protection all around
Cons
None to speak of
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"Works great on Mac"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
Macs are pretty secure and virus free but not your internet connection. VPN is the way to go. And this one works great
Cons
Ads are no fun
Summary
If you are like me and want end to end security when you are out and about on public networks, Starbucks and the like, this is the way to go. I used their product before on PC and now Mac.
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"Great product!!! A+++"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
Free!!! Easy to install. Easy to use.
Cons
Slow down connection a bit, but it is how VPN works. It is acceptable as they keep my connection secured.
Summary
I did a lot of search for free VPN. Finally decided to stay with Hotspot Shield. It fits for me 100%.
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"This version is much better then before."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
This version works a lot better then before. I am using OS X Lion and it does not require Rosetta Stone. This is great for because rosetta stone slows down everything.
Cons
Better UI would help.
Summary
Helps with staying anonymous and secure when you are in public areas or when you travel abroad.
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"The best free vpn ever!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
free, easy, fast, secured!
Cons
none found
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