CNET Editors' review
This freeware program promises to encrypt all your Internet connections, but since most public wi-fi access points in the U.S. are open, it's a bit hard to gauge Hotspot Shield's effectiveness. However, the connection itself is a bit wonky.
Once the program is installed, it creates an HTML link on your desktop. Double-clicking on it will open the application in your Web browser, and you'll be taken to a page detailing your Connection Status, IP Address, Server Address, Bytes sent and received, and the duration of the connection. Hotspot Shield is ad supported, so you'll get a big banner ad that lives at the top of every Web page, too. Closing the tab with the app's control panel doesn't disconnect the shield, though: for that, or to reload the control panel, you have to go through the green shield icon that gets loaded into your system tray. Also, there's a 5 GB transfer limit.
Overall, we can't give Hotspot Shield a strong recommendation, but as a last resort it might be worth trying out.
Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
Hotspot Shield is a freeware which ensures anonymous and censor-free internet usage. With Hotspot Shield you can even access blocked websites. For example: Skype is blocked in certain parts of the world. With Hotspot Shield, anyone can access Skype (and any other site they choose). The free software ensures censor-free internet usage by encrypting all communications to and from your computer to protect you from online spying. While advertising supported, HotSpot Shield is is not an invasive adware or pervasive spyware application.
Version 1.07 supports optional update offers, when available.
What's new in this version: Version 1.07 supports optional update offers, when available.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 370 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 12 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"It will not install on vista 64. Why?"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
I want to use it for the protection it provides
Cons
I have tryed four times , and uninstalled.
Summary
Need help installing so it works
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"sssssssssssss"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
i love thiz software
bcoz itz doin gr8 job...Cons
*thinking* when it connect the internet connection is not working well...
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"I like this proudut too much its realy help me in so"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
its safe and its help me to secure my pc on the net
Cons
nothing I dont like in this prouduct its so nice
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"it locked up my internet on other computers"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
its great for locking computers out of your network and it makes it easy to select who you want to kick
Cons
But its hard to Delete the software and now my router wont let me into it.
Summary
My summary of the product is its very horable dont use it dont download it. The techs will not call you back no matter how many times you try calling them. just avoid the problemBut its hard to Delete the software and now my router wont let me into it. I emailed tech support to remove my account still exist. its absolutely not worth the headache for me. Im not usually the type to comment on downloads but this one was that bad.
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"but it often give starting problem"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
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Cons
sddddddddddddded
Summary
ercreercervcrefc
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"nhgnvghjmjhkmj"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
jmkgjh,kihjkmlhgmjl
Cons
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Summary
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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"s-l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-w"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
lets me watch hulu outside of us
Cons
s-l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-w
I could fly to the US faster than this vpn allows me to watch a 60 minute show.Summary
probably a waste of time. shame, too, because if it wasn't so ridiculously slow, it would actually provide a great value.
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"Needed service, but no x64 support yet"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
A service that everyone needs and it's free.
Cons
I can't test it out because there's no x64 support. Support told me x64 will be supported in the next release.
Download.com says no limitations, but my understanding is that there's a 5gb limit now. Not a huge con. Just a correction for the website. -
"Very slow!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
It's free...that's about it.
Cons
Very slow, difficult to uninstall
Summary
I tried this and it was freaken slow using a very high speed home WIFI connection. I couldn't uninstall it completely so I had to use system restore. Don't recommend it.
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"was useful till my ISP blocked it !"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.07
Pros
Enjoyed few days of perfect anonymous connection.
Cons
can not use any VOIP program anymore.
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