PCStealth for Windows

A rarity in this genre, this effective Internet-browsing-privacy tool is a breeze to install. PCStealth's interface is merely a tabbed dialog with a few options. The beauty of this program is its overall simplicity. Installation of proxy servers and virtual private network (VPN) software is often a headache for novice users, but this program quickly installs itself. You're left with a simple log-in shortcut on your desktop. Double-click, enter your username and password, and you're ready to go. Demo users have to provide an e-mail address to get a username and password for the five-day trial. But the trade off is that you won't have to configure browsers and e-mail applications.

During testing PCStealth was limited to a single VPN in London. We found surfing speed with the utility to be only slightly slower than normal. Once enabled, the program quickly routed all our Internet traffic through the VPN regardless of which browser or e-mail application we used. All privacy tests correctly identified our IP address as that of the VPN. Using the application was seamless, and easily disabled when needed. While running, PCStealth displays a tool-tray icon. A single click disables the program and returns control to your normal Internet connection.

This simple application will appeal to novice users with a need for privacy, but some advanced users will happily trade flexibility for the program's simple installation and ease of use. The requirement to register an e-mail address isn't a problem, and the five-day demo is plenty of time to discover that PCStealth will be an often-used tool.