Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will download a small installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual download.
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.
Hotspot Shield - Maintain and protect your privacy - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
Hotspot Shield protects you online and lets you access the information you need. Join 7+ million users in 100+ countries who use Hotspot Shield everyday to: 1. Access blocked services like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype in countries where internet is censored. 2. Keep hackers from stealing personal information while users are browsing internet on public locations like Starbucks. 3. Browse internet privately. Hotspot Shield is the most stable and the only 100 percent free VPN tool in the world with no bandwidth limit and it does not slow down the Internet speed. Hotspot Shield does all of this without collecting, let alone making use of, any information on your personal identity.
What's new in this version: In version 1.52, download manager has been updated. It will always download the latest version of the application. The error message in the previous version of the download manager has been fixed.
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All versions:
2.9 starsout of 505 votes
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Current version:
2.8 starsout of 8 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-8 of 8
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"Anti-virus flagged it as malware upon installation"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
I didn't install it since Avast flagged it as malware!!
Cons
Anti-virus flagged it as malware upon installation
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"Ad's Are A Bit Of A Pain, But Works Well..."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
It Works Well In Protecting Your Identity.
Cons
Adverts On screen Can Be A Pain, But Understandable As It's A Free Programme.
Summary
Well Worth The Download, But I Wouldn't Run It All The Time As It Does Slow Down The PC.
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"Good for shielding works well most of the time"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
seems to block I.P. O.K.
Cons
Obnoxious advertisements, but the price is right.
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"only for the privileged"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
seemed to work well for an Administrator account
Cons
but totally blocked normal access for a non-privileged account
Summary
Since I do all of normal surfing and financials with a non-privileged account and reserve the administrator account for necessary administration only, HotSpot Shield was worst than useless for me. Maybe when Anchor provides better support for those smart enough to use a non-privileged account for the daily stuff...
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"the best free one at the moment.(to me!)."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
easy install, server always "on", no disconnect...really I never try a free offer like this!
You can surf as usual , watch hd videos with no "buffering..." at all.
Downloads (http) at (around...) 300Ko/s at the best momments. Never under 100Ko/sCons
It installs a lot of pilots (but it's all right), he is not ok with privat trackers.
Summary
(I'm french so excuse my language): I don't know why so many people rate this log. that bad...? To me, he is really the best I ever tried (and I tried a lot of free VPN...a lot!).
Updated on Oct 17, 2010
Install is a bit long, it installs a lot of pilots (like 3 or something) but, it does everything, the VPN is ready to use immediately...just try to install *** for example...and you'll tell me!
The best skill of that log.? it's never "down"! the server is always "on", no Inconvenient disconnections! really he works great to me...so may be, I'll change my mind soon, that's possible?
I don't know what problems did have the others users, personnaly I use PEERBLOCK, may be it has blocked "bad things" during install...I don't know...but it work well with "Hotspost shield" no "bad ip" detected!
My OS is Windows 7 x.64, my antivirus is Kaspersky 2010, I use PEERBLOCK, and have no problem at all with Hotspot shield. May be you should turn off UAC if you use Vista or 7...or run it as admin. coz of the pilots.
Updated on Oct 20, 2010I'm very sorry for "hospot shield" (free version), we have nice time together, but...I found a better VPN (free of course!).
This is "proXPN"...it really kick some *****! more secure, more speed, I think it's unik in free VPN services.
But "Hospot shield" is still a very good VPN one of the best (2nd in my list then!), I try it for, around 1 week, server "down" for only one afternoon , just few hours . I didn't uninstall it, I keep it for second solution, if proXPN's "down".
I also keep SecurityKISS, wich is limited in free ed.(300Ko per day) but is very reliable too. Good to brownse the web. You can choose your server so you'll be able to choose a country too (US, Germany, Swiss, etc...). -
"Froze system & won't uninstall. Blocked antivirus."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
Nil. Other than what the description promises.
Cons
Froze during installation. Then froze system. Won't uninstall due to invalid installation file. Windows keeps detecting new hardware but will freeze if allowed to install hardware. Even uninstallers and registry cleaners fail to remove it.
Summary
I've emailed the developers and waiting response. The software was downloaded from their site so it should be clean unless they've been compromised and it contains a trojan of some sort.
During install, they recommend that you let your antivirus software give it permission for some operations. Now it's stopped my PC Tools antivirus software from operating. -
"File Corrupted"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
nil nil nil
Cons
Cant install at all
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"best free or paid ip address protector out there."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.52
Pros
keeps your ip private from isp and others you don't want to have it
Cons
isp at&t for sure try to keep you off of hotspot shield.but i found out if i will let them know as soon as they do it.hotspot sends me new download to correct it.
Summary
i don't like people isp other companies i get on line with to know who i am legal or not it is my write to be free browse on the Internet,i have found i need help.i don;t have much money to seal but what i have is mine and i would like to keep it that way.hotspot does everyone a great job and it's free so please donate any time you can.i do no a lot but a lot of little bitties could add up to lots. and i would also like to thank cnet for the great job they do.from an old man just trying to keep my life worth something.
Results 1-8 of 8
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