Manage updates with the Download App
CNET Editors' review
Despite a couple of flaws that can be annoying, especially if you use Facebook or Gmail, AnchorFree's Hotspot Shield Elite is an otherwise good tool that does its job well. The shield's job is to protect your online privacy, especially when you're connecting to the Internet via wireless hot spots.
The installation isn't the usual drag-and-drop routine; you need to have admin rights to install it, but as soon as the application is on your computer, you'll notice the change. First of all, your browser can't connect to the Internet until you register the trial version using an e-mail address. Interestingly, the e-mail sent by AnchorFree ended up in the Junk Mailbox, which we found odd, since it's from a security company. What we liked, though, is the product's simple interface: it's a shield that is placed in the Menu bar when you launch the application. It communicates using colors: red is off and green is on. And it's that simple. Hotspot Shield excels in simplicity, and we love the the fact that the application is ad-free.
Unfortunately, the second thing we noticed was that we couldn't connect to our Facebook account. If you have recognized devices activated, the social network will block your account. In addition to that, our Mail application stopped fetching e-mails from our Gmail account. This is pretty annoying if you use Gmail for communication. Except the aforementioned flaws, however, Hotspot Shield performed well during our testing. The load time of the Web sites we visited was visibly faster, so the browsing experience was good (and safe), which is the primary role of the app. Although Hotspot Shield primarily aims to protect the online presence of those who connect to the Internet through hot spots, it can easily become the choice of privacy-conscious individuals as well.
We liked the feeling of a protected online presence, but if the shield works against you, then it isn't quite the tool you need. Also, users only have eight days of free protection, and they need to opt for one of the available offers if they want to have all their browsing information shielded from prying eyes.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Hotspot Shield Elite for Mac 1.585.
Hotspot Shield - Get Wi-Fi privacy and security, protect yourself from malware threats, and access blocked content - Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
Hotspot Shield is the security product for Mac that detects and protects against 3.5 million malware threats including the Flash Trojan virus. It also makes your communications secure in public Wi-Fi hotspots which otherwise leave you vulnerable to hackers and security breaches. Hotspot Shield's VPN tunnel also gives you a simple solution to maintain your anonymity, hide your IP and protect your privacy.
What's new in this version: - performance improvements
- multiple bugfixes
- does not support 32-bit OS
More Products to Consider
-
Maintain your anonymity online and secure your web session.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Antivirus app powered by the open-source ClamAV engine.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your PC against the latest viruses and spyware.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protects privacy online and secures your computer.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Detect apps that establish outgoing Internet connections.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Easy-to-use protection from viruses, Trojans and worms. Quarant...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Secure your privacy and maintain your anonymity while surfing t...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your anonymity and others' as you browse the web.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Encrypt & decrypt files of all types using any key code you wan...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Scan the page behind any link you click on or any web address y...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Personal emergency broadcast message system with twitter, sms, ...Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Detect spyware, clean up Internet privacy clutter and protects ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Encrypt Dropbox, SkyDrive, Google Drive, and the Cloud files.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Record keystrokes, log visited websites, take screenshots and s...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Save your files from indiscreet eyes.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Secure, easy-to-use digital vault for your laptop that works wi...Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
Protect your secret files.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Find out what your kids are doing online.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Change your network card's MAC address (Ethernet).DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
MacKeeper is like 911 for your Mac.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Clean cache, clear history - automatic internet eraser - easy, ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Simple, secure access to the global Internet you love.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Lock and unlock your Mac account by using your face and track y...DownloadThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install -
Protect your personal data like passwords, URLs, attachments, a...DownloadThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install
-
All versions:
2.9 starsout of 59 votes
-
Current version:
2.3 starsout of 3 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
Results 1-3 of 3
-
"Developer greed has rendered this app obsolete."
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.85
Pros
Nothing at all, whatsoever, anymore.
Cons
Once a standard and free feature (arguably its ONLY feature), being able to access American sites and stream content blocked in other territories on superficial "copyright" grounds was probably the only reason one would even bother installing Hotspot Shield. And now it's been removed, repackaged as a pay-only feature in another app, which defeats the ease of use and true "security" they once purported.
Summary
Do not download, do not install, do not support. Seek free alternatives. When something once free becomes charged for, and not the other way around, the only excuse in this case can be greed. For shame, Hotspot.
-
"This program is really great & very easy to use!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.85
Pros
When you go online @ public locations, you are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Meaning criminals can steal all your passwords to all your accounts (e.g. bank accounts, e-mails, social networks, etc.) and they can even monitor your web traffic.
With HotSpot Shield, all that scary stuff is long gone!
In some countries like China, literally all websites (Google, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc.) are blocked. However with HotSpot Shield, you can bypass the blocks and surf the web as if you were in the United States!Cons
For the free service, there is a banner displayed on the top of your browser. Also recently there has been a problem with Skype, but this has all been fixed :).
Also this VPN Service may be currently blocked in China. So if you are planning on going to China, you may wish to consider another VPN service.Summary
I would really recommend using HotSpot Shield. Not only does it secure your internet connection, it also makes the internet more democratic, meaning that you can access any website you want even if your country, school, workplace, etc. blocks access to the site!
-
"Do not update"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.85
Pros
Worked like a charm for American sites that blocked outside users
Cons
I put off updating for as long as I could, until they forced me to update in order to continue using it. Since then, I cannot access CBS and other American TV stations. This software is now useless and no longer serves its purpose.
Results 1-3 of 3
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
