Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
The bottom line: The Internet connection protector Hotspot Shield encrypts your traffic to protect you from all kinds of spying while your computer communicates with the rest of the world. It's a must-have utility for anybody who uses public Wi-Fi networks.
Review:
The Internet connection protector Hotspot Shield encrypts your traffic to protect you from all kinds of spying while your computer communicates with the rest of the world. It's a must-have utility for anybody who uses public Wi-Fi networks, but it's also an excellent tool for ensuring on any network connection that you can access sites and data according to your tastes, and nobody else's. Hotspot Shield's Virtual Private Network services are used by more than 10 million at the time this review was written, according to the software publisher AnchorFree, making it the largest VPN in the world.
The browser-independent Hotspot Shield establishes an encrypted connection to the Hotspot Shield servers, and turns all HTTP traffic to the safer HTTPS. By re-routing Web traffic and providing you with a new IP address hosted by AnchorFree, the company is able to ensure that your data isn't plucked out of the open by man-in-the-middle attacks or wireless network spoofing.
In our tests, we noticed that sometimes the program would actually resolve pages faster than when connected without it. This occurs, most likely, because of the geographic location of the company's servers. During a day of hands-on testing on the notoriously pokey CNET public Wi-Fi network, we noticed that Hotspot Shield Elite was remarkably fast. There were no connection lags despite the rerouting, and the program admirably handled high-definition streaming videos from sites such as Vimeo, YouTube, and CNET TV. We'd recommend the program for improving the Wi-Fi speeds alone, nevermind the additional security benefits.
The free version of Hotspot Shield does come at a small cost. The installation opts you in to two toolbars, one from Hotspot Shield and one from Conduit, which redirects your default search and home page. Also, whenever you activate Hotspot Shield, it will open a new tab to AnchorFree.com and begin autoplaying a video. That's seriously annoying, even in a free product that offers such a valuable service. Still, the toolbars and redirects are optional.
Once installed, it appears as a red system tray icon that turns to green when activated. Right-click to toggle it on or off. Choosing the Properties option opens a new browser tab that tells you that you're connected. Hit the Details link to learn more about your connection, including the VPN IP address, amount of data sent in and out, and how long you've been connected. The data transfer rate makes for a useful, quick-and-dirty gauge for people with data caps.
Hotspot Shield now offers an Elite service, which runs ad-free. Elite costs $0.50 per 24 hour session, with a minimum $10 deposit, or $5 per month, or $45 per year. Payment options include credit card, PayPal, prepaid cash cards or mobile phone payments via premium SMS. Aside from Hotspot Shield Elite's preferential bandwidth priority and lack of ads, there are no built-in additional features in Elite. However, at the time this review was written, AnchorFree had arranged a deal with Skype so that new Elite users get two hours of Skype talk time free when signing up.
The company has created multiple ways to circumvent download blockers in countries with strict censorship, too. If you can't access a Web page with the download, you can send an e-mail to win@anchorfree.com for the Windows version or mac@anchorfree.com for the Mac version, and the small installer file will be sent directly to you.
Note that although the Windows version is 2.06, and the Mac version is 1.582, the features are the same.
Even with the installation shenanigans, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield for anybody concerned with privacy. In today's world, that ought to be anybody connecting a computer to the Internet.
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. Access blocked services like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype in countries where internet is censored. Keep hackers from stealing personal information while users are browsing internet on public locations like Starbucks. Browse internet privately. Hotspot Shield does all of this without collecting, let alone making use of, any information on your personal identity.
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All versions:
2.9 starsout of 519 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Their support is horrible / non-existant"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
The product seems to work
Cons
I bought AnchorFree on my IPhone and wanted to use it on my PC as well - I didn't want to see the ads and you are supposed to be able to load it on multiple devices with a single subscription. I couldn't figure out how to add my PC to my existing account so I contacted their "help desk" their response was:
"Kelly, Apr 11 15:47 (PDT): Hello, The application only works if you have bought the PC version; then you can add the iOS subscription to it."
I happened to be talking to the CEO about something and he told me that the above statement wasn't correct, so I tried the help desk again and things went downhill from there. They actually took ONE MONTH to reply to my message and I didn't get any actual help. Their latest reply to me was verbatim as the very first message.
So I can't really comment on the product and how well it works (I assume it does) but their supports really SUCKS. -
"SLOW Internet then Blue Screen of Death in One Day"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
Used for Less than one day so I have no input on this.
Cons
Unacceptably slower internet speeds reduced browing to nearly dialup speeds with unwatchable video. Blue screen of death in less than a day. Immediately uninstalled.
Summary
Windows 7 64 bit with Norton 360 Premier probably doesn't play well with Hotspot Shield. Do not install if you have this setup.
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"It works fine and it's free"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
That's the only reliable free VPN I have ever tried. I work a lot from Starbucks and I was always quite scared about WiFi hackers - since Starbucks is known for their unprotected WiFi. With VPN I am secured and I don't have to worry about it. Hotspot Shield is free and works pretty fine.
Cons
You will see their ads.
Summary
Definitely worth trying if you need a VPN and you don't want to pay for it.
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"MESSES UP MY BROWSER AND SLOWS DOWN COMPUTER"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
It worked fine but it seems to be slow.
Cons
Messed up the system, installed some extensions and prevents browsing sometimes for some reason. I just uninstalled it and used another vpn this is HORRIBLE.
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"This software & app are horrible!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
Quick download/setup
Cons
This software is blocking me from sending proper email, especially one's with attachments. Mail was coming back to me "mailer deamon" undeliverable.
Browser loading is horribly slow, many times I must reload and hope it works or get out and reopen.
I loaded this on two computers, one desktop, one laptop with fast connection speeds, top speed processors and loads of RAM. Everything is slowed down using the Internet.
Having multiple browsers open when working is even worse and saving Wordpress files/posts/pages becomes cumbersome.
I loaded their app on my smart phone and it began blocking syncing and my email. Other apps weren't working properly either. None of these issues existed before the app. It was also turning on and off and offering up an annoying ringtone.
I decided to uninstall this POS from my phone and in the process it blew out 10 other apps that I use so I had to go back and reinstall them.Summary
Do Not spend your money. I blew $29.95 plus $.99 for the app all non-refundable.
Want support? Either upgrade further or waster your time in their forum.
This is NOT worth your time, money or migraine. Move on. CNet staff reviewers are way off on this one. 5-stars? Who are they kidding? -
"Protective... to a fault."
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
Does mask/change your ip.
Quick browsing.
Accessible on websites that utilize flash and java.Cons
Littered with DRD infested ads.
elite only lasts 7 days.Summary
I'd suggest investing in actual VPN software. though there is no way of protecting your computer from hackers, that would be your best bet. Use the hotspotshield when you need to access websites that you can't normally access. use it when you need an ip change for a game forum website.
DO NOT enter personal information, hotspotshield is funded by various outside parties and that is where all the ads on the side are there for. You don't know what they are doing with your personal information. This is something I recommend installing, and removing the next day. Download, view what you need to view, uninstall it. repeat. use and configure Tor, or just get an actual VPN. -
"Does it really work?"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
Certain ip finders say that my IP address has changed
Cons
another 2 that i have tried come back with my correct IP address although the hotspot says different.
Summary
another 2 that i have tried come back with my correct IP address although the hotspot says different.
Ok again try this to check if it really works at hiding your home IP address https://torcheck.xenobite.eu/index.php I am not happy with this although www.whatismyip.com does come up with a different address, would love a reply telling me that it is maybe something i am doing wrong, but i don't think so. At the end of the something is reading my home IP address whilst HOTSPOT says that I am protected.
Updated on Jun 11, 2013
Updated on Jun 11, 2013Ok again try this to check if it really works at hiding your home IP address https://torcheck.xenobite.eu/index.php I am not happy with this although www.whatismyip.com does come up with a different address, would love a reply telling me that it is maybe something i am doing wrong, but i don't think so. At the end of the something is reading my home IP address whilst HOTSPOT says that I am protected.
Updated on Jun 11, 2013Ok again try this to check if it really works at hiding your home IP address https://torcheck.xenobite.eu/index.php I am not happy with this although www.whatismyip.com does come up with a different address, would love a reply telling me that it is maybe something i am doing wrong, but i don't think so. At the end of the something is reading my home IP address whilst HOTSPOT says that I am protected. -
"5 star app! Highly Recommend!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
-Free
-Easy to use
-Protects computer from malware
-Keeps your online activities protected and private
-Unblocks blocked websites at my workCons
-A bit slow at times
Summary
At work, I use Hotspot Shield on a Mac to unblock sites. But when I'm at home, I use Hotspot Shield on Windows mainly for security. I learned alot about how hackers can use tools to easily hack into your wifi to steal any information that you have. I don't use it all the time at home, but only when I'm entering any private information over the web. It's a great tool and highly recommend it to everyone.
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"Works fine for free"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
It's free so there is no downside. It is quite reliable and I use it also on my iPhone.
Cons
The ads may be annoying.
Summary
I work a lot from Starbucks and other public hotspots and I feel much better when I know that the data I am sending out are encrypted. I use multiple software to protect myself online and Hotspot Shield is part of the set.
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"Easy to use and Free"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.88
Pros
It is very easy to use I only need to click connect then it would change my ip already. Helped me play a lot of games where my IP is blocked! Really thanks for this!!
Cons
Free use slows down my internet.
Summary
Very good but needs improvement.
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