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CNET Editors' review
Despite a couple of flaws that can be annoying, especially if you use Facebook or Gmail, AnchorFree's Hotspot Shield Elite is an otherwise good tool that does its job well. The shield's job is to protect your online privacy, especially when you're connecting to the Internet via wireless hot spots.
The installation isn't the usual drag-and-drop routine; you need to have admin rights to install it, but as soon as the application is on your computer, you'll notice the change. First of all, your browser can't connect to the Internet until you register the trial version using an e-mail address. Interestingly, the e-mail sent by AnchorFree ended up in the Junk Mailbox, which we found odd, since it's from a security company. What we liked, though, is the product's simple interface: it's a shield that is placed in the Menu bar when you launch the application. It communicates using colors: red is off and green is on. And it's that simple. Hotspot Shield excels in simplicity, and we love the the fact that the application is ad-free.
Unfortunately, the second thing we noticed was that we couldn't connect to our Facebook account. If you have recognized devices activated, the social network will block your account. In addition to that, our Mail application stopped fetching e-mails from our Gmail account. This is pretty annoying if you use Gmail for communication. Except the aforementioned flaws, however, Hotspot Shield performed well during our testing. The load time of the Web sites we visited was visibly faster, so the browsing experience was good (and safe), which is the primary role of the app. Although Hotspot Shield primarily aims to protect the online presence of those who connect to the Internet through hot spots, it can easily become the choice of privacy-conscious individuals as well.
We liked the feeling of a protected online presence, but if the shield works against you, then it isn't quite the tool you need. Also, users only have eight days of free protection, and they need to opt for one of the available offers if they want to have all their browsing information shielded from prying eyes.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Hotspot Shield Elite for Mac 1.585.
Hotspot Shield - Get Wi-Fi privacy and security, protect yourself from malware threats, and access blocked content - Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
Hotspot Shield is the security product for Mac that detects and protects against 3.5 million malware threats including the Flash Trojan virus. It also makes your communications secure in public Wi-Fi hotspots which otherwise leave you vulnerable to hackers and security breaches. Hotspot Shield's VPN tunnel also gives you a simple solution to maintain your anonymity, hide your IP and protect your privacy.
What's new in this version: - performance improvements
- multiple bugfixes
- does not support 32-bit OS
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All versions:
2.9 starsout of 56 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"fgfgfgfgfgfggfgf"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.72
Pros
so so slow and heavy
Cons
gfhffhgfhhfhf
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"237 days of bliss."
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.72
Pros
for $29.00, to the best of my knowledge, my constant, daily wi-fi exchanges have been protected by the Shield.
Cons
i have no idea how the Shield performs this awesome task.
Summary
in 128 days i'll have to renew my 'faith' in the Shield or risk the tragic consequences of unprotected browsing...
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"Not Worth downloading if you want to USA Tv."
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.72
Pros
NONE I have found
Cons
Does'not do what it says it will
Summary
I used to have an Older version of hotspot, and whilst I was not able to watch ABC I could watch the other channels and Hulu.
But now I cannot watch anything at all, since down loading the newer version. My only choice now is to subscribe to something like Expat network -
"Its just a fabulous app for mac,"
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.72
Pros
1. every site unblocked at full speed.
2. Easy to setup and connect.
3. Mountain lion compatible.Cons
There are absolutely in cons for this great app.
Summary
I recommend everyone to use hotspot shield instead of any other common vpn application. i used to get 600kbps and now with hss on i am getting more than 1mbps. :) and all sites are unblocked with absolute ease. I had a very great experience with it and planning to buy elite version. ITS GREAT.
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"Works really well, no complains yet"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
Fast and reliable, works great with streaming movies and videos, no interruptions, no picture problems, great price! Fast response on account questions, I am amazed!
Cons
Nothing yet
Summary
I tried another VPN service before and there were a lot of connectivity problems and streaming interruptions during the last months. It was terrible and the price was way too high now that I have the direct comparison to HSS Elite! This really works perfectly on all my devices, great video streaming, no interruptions, really a faster browsing than before. The price is absolutely fabulous for HSS Elite and if someone complains about the ads - simply upgrade like I did. For me up to now the best choice on the market!
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"Poor customer service. No Online or Voice Support."
Version: Hotspot Shield 2.67
Pros
Worked fine while it lasted.
Cons
When it stopped working, customer service did not respond to my two emails. In other words, they don't have customer service if things go wrong.
Summary
Hotspot Shield stopped working with Mountain Lion—which is fine if they're working on releasing an update quickly— however, in two attempts to contact them to ask them when I should expect the service to be back up and running, I did not receive any kind of response. This makes me feel as if there's truly no support for this product. I would not recommend buying this due to the lack of customer service.
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"Unreliable and ads hardcore porn constantly!"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
None, considering the negative features mentioned below.
Just unreliable and with bad taste ads.Cons
I'm not sure if there is any considering the kind of ads they play constantly.
No matter how many times you close the tabs they will open again. It's a pest !!
I have no issues against ads in freewares, but not this kind...
My children use my computers and I had to remove it.
I do not recommend it and I can't understand how it can be so highly graded by CNET editors.
Shame on you guys !!!
.Summary
Shame on you CNET editors.
So highly recommend a software that ads hard core porn with no restriction to age !!!!! -
"hard to install and very invasive"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
it may improve security
Cons
adds annoying banner ads all over and is almost impossible to uninstall on the Mac. Don't risk installing
Summary
Don't install this on your Mac or you'll have big trouble getting rid of it. The PD version may be ok
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"it definitely slows things down a bit, but . . . . . ."
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
the feeling of a bit more security is always a good thing when you hit one of those" wrong turn" sites
Cons
it can really slow things down a bit but thats it really. The adds that keep popping up behind the window your using can be annoying. But if you turn the sound off you dont even know they're there.
Summary
Its free and it works. You get what you pay for.
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"elite version prevents netflix on tv, ++++"
Version: Hotspot Shield 1.582
Pros
get's rid of ads; when out of USA, i used to have free version & i was successfully able to access USA only video streaming sites..... don't know if it works now with the elite version.
Cons
tremendously slows down internet connection, and totally prevents torrents from downloading; netflix is a no go on tv, even when entering an activate code; there is NO support page from the hotspot shield techies -- just from the community which doesn't work as no one knows the answers (if they are indeed ever posted!!!!!) wish i didn't pay for this!
Summary
program isn't worth it. i wonder if the internet providers (comcast) have figured out how to disable things if shield is on. if so, hotspot needs to figure out how to work around this. or provide better troubleshooting information - which doesn't exist at this time.
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