- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Date added: June 02, 2009
- Total Downloads: 1,767,096
- Downloads last week: 33,563
- See full specifications
A newer version of Hotspot Shield is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 204 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on February 18, 2009
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 1.17 fixes problems with Hotspot Shield connecting and disconnecting.
What's new in this version:
Fixed problems with Hotspot Shield connecting and disconnecting.
More popular Encryption Software downloads
- 33,082 downloads 1. Hotspot Shield
- 8,526 downloads 2. RoboForm
- 6,764 downloads 3. Folder Lock
- 4,106 downloads 4. RAR Password Cracker
- 3,149 downloads 5. Eraser
- See all Encryption Software downloads
User reviews of Hotspot Shield 1.17
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 204 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 5 of 5 user reviewsSee all 5 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.17
"i can access pages that i couldn't access before."
Pros: It helps you see web pages that you couldn't see before, or you were banned, like Veoh or Youtube
Cons: The banners are really annoying.
-
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.17
"Lets you surf the net anonymously works well"
Pros: I can access websites I couldn't otherwise.It stop trackers,makes it hard to intrude into my privacy etc.Very few limitations.Free
Cons: Slows down webpage loading a bit.Downloading a bit slower.
Can't seem to download torrents.Summary: With hotspot you can access, for instance, tv stations.That they have decided to only allow certain areas to access.
Google can't track you.I don't get the adds so i'm happy about that. -
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.17
"Some lag, but really works even with a company proxy"
Pros: It works anyway, 1-3 seconds lack by page.
Banner ? use multi-tabs browser with "activate new window on new tab" ! Well with Maxthon and GreenBrowser, the ad stays on it's tab.
Verified my cy's Proxy + Gatekeeper, no way to see where i navigate.Cons: Establishing a VPN connection, this may be unauthorized by some proxy admins.
Summary: Get it if you want to keep your privacy and if your company dont block VPN.
I think not useful at home, but who knows ? -
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.17
Pros: A good idea, but not worth much when it can't deliver.
Cons: I've tried installing this 6 times over the past 5 months, to try and watch online shows outside of Canada. No matter what I do, it never works, and I doubt I'll try again. I wish someone would make it work though, it's a great idea.
-
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.17
"Like it for my use in a foreign country"
Pros: Allowed me to use Internet phone that was blocked
Cons: Couldn't use my email when active.
Summary: I was using this product in Belize and now BTL has blocked the site. W hat can I do to fix the problem. I hear they can't block sites that are paid for.
- See all 5 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
Previous Versions:
