Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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.
Hotspot Shield - Maintain and protect your privacy - Download Video Previews: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 1.12 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
What's new in this version: Fixes any issues from 1.11 or earlier releases.
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 504 votes
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Current version:
2.5 starsout of 14 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"beware its' spyware"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
does do as it claims, but!
Cons
piece **** malware
Summary
launches pop window with porn ads, but even worse, if you turn it off it will run in the background tracking your web browsing and doing god knows what else. It quietly runs hssrv.exe which will not show up as a running process in your task manager. Even with process explorer I was unable to stop it from re launching after killing the process. Avoid.
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"Okay software"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
Did the job.
Cons
Inappropriate and adult advertising.
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"Good experience, but v1.13 triggering trojan alert ???"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
Effective substitute address permitting Hulu, Pandora, etc. from Canada
Easy to install and use
No speed problemsCons
Sticks an innocuous, removable but nuisance ad over top of each page
After v1.13 update, AdAware scan alerted to a "level 10" trojan keystroke logger
Very difficult to remove once installedSummary
I found it very useful and was willing to put up with ads which can be clicked off. It's the only free service that worked with Hulu from Canada - UltraSurf does not. However, this last version triggered an AdAware highest level alert for a keystroke logger trojan. Uninstalling was impossible because Add/Remove and Revo found it always "in use" so I had to log in Safe Mode as Administrator to erase the folder. I hope Anchor Free reads this and fixes the trojan problem as I would like to go back to it.
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"Nothing but ads with v. 1.13"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
Can be uninstalled
Cons
Blocks EVERY website with a frame linked to RSS2Search. Clicking on any link and any page loads this frame, making it impossible to use the browser.
Summary
v. 1.12 wasn't great but at least it was usable. 1.13 is a joke.
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"Pornographic Banner Ads"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
Changes your ip address
Cons
This program put a pornographic banner ad at the top of my screen, I was sitting with my little daughter on my lap and looking at sesame street torrents and all of the sudden I have porn at the top of my page. Unacceptable.
Summary
I don't care what this program accomplishes because it puts Pornography at the top of your screen.
Update! When trying to uninstall this program, Avira antivirus warns that theuninstaller is the TR/PSW.IEPass.A.12 trojan. ***? I thought downloads from cnet were safe.
Updated on Mar 25, 2009 -
"It works but"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
Hides your original IP address
Cons
UInless you search late at night, the connection speed is very slow during the day. and as, noted in the reviews, the connection will drop without notice.
Summary
As others have stated, this product 1.12 and 1.13 has a trojan horse.
Updated on Apr 6, 2009
I contacted Hotspot shield almost 2 weeks ago and have not received a reply. On their website AnchorFree is promoting Hotspot Shield 1.10, but when one downloads it shows up as 1.13. AVOID THIS PRODUCT! Remember the Conficker virus attacks Networks!! -
"Phis program will hiding your real IP and loction"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
1. Unblocks all ISP blocked site
2. Complete privacy and descretion
3. Free of cost
4. Quick lauch sequence without disrupting your connectionCons
1. Way too many advertisments
2. Noticably more sluggish compared to when the software is'nt runnig
3. Very annoying search engine pages sometimes show up while surfing
4. Will automatically turn off without warningSummary
If it had fewer ads, i would have given it 4 stars
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"AnchorFree Hotspot Shield"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
It's okay as an alternative.
Cons
It has konked out 3 times, leaving me surfing naked without warning. Once, it showed that it was connected; but it wasn't! My own local IP was showing in http://whatismyipaddress.com/. AnchorFree is heavily ad-supported which can get annoying.
Summary
OK, but keep an eye on the warning icon in the status bar, AnchorFree shuts off without warning, and you are surfing naked.
Where the hell is my comment after all the sign-up **** you put me through to put it in!!!!
I found another free VPN with free account, free forum support by their staff, much less advertising, and it's not bad at all. Two weeks, and it has never konked out, I'm online 10-12 hours a day.
www.alonweb.com
AlonWeb IPs are in the Netherlands. Quick download and setup, easy to use. I have also discovered I can combine it with a proxy IP if I choose to manually insert one into my Firefox or IE browser.
Updated on Mar 21, 2009 -
"Works beautifully and can open up blocked sites."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
Opens up all my blocked sites such as crack and hack sites. Does not slow down the connection much.
Cons
Have to choose an advertised site first to have it start working but this is only a minor inconveniance.
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"Loving it in Canada!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.12
Pros
I live in Montreal, Canada. Install on my MAC was quick and easy. I got to watch abc news minutes after download. Video took 10 seconds longer to start than usual but once stream started, virtually flawless.
Cons
At first it's not clear when connection achieved but it soon becomes obvious.
Summary
Sites take slightly longer to load but it's worth it! I am using wi-fi on regular hi-speed cable. I was finally able to access Twilight Zone archive on CBS.com. I want to thank Anchor Free for this software. My only fear is that this is too good to be true and that it is actually spyware or something.
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