Virtual private networks (VPN) are extremely useful online security tools that encrypt data traveling to and from your PC, and redirect it via a remote server. This makes your data much more difficult to intercept and decrypt, prevents trackers from monitoring your activity and location, and lets you access content that would normally be blocked from your location (particularly useful in places with very strict censorship).
The free version of Hotspot Shield does have a few limitations – mainly the inability to choose your own remote server location, and the data cap on the desktop and mobile apps – but it can’t be beaten on ease of use and convenience. Here’s how to get started.
First, download Hotspot Shield Free VPN and run the installer. You’ll be offered a free trial of Explore Hidden Content, what will enable you to access popular apps and sites unavailable without a VPN; if you select this, you’ll be prompted to enter payment details so the company can bill you once the trial expires, or you can close the window by clicking the cross to opt out.
As a free user, you don’t have to register for an account – once you’ve dismissed the premium offer, Hotspot Shield Free VPN will automatically connect you to a proxy server, and you can start browsing. Hotspot Shield will assign you a proxy location; other options will be visible, but you can only pick a different one if you have a premium account.
Select ‘Settings’ and you can decide whether the program launches at the same time as Windows, whether it hides your IP address (useful if you want to protect your location, but not if you want to access sites and services relevant to the area where you live, such as weather and news reports). You can also choose which type of networks are protected by Hotspot Shield Free VPN.
Hotspot Shield Free VPN users are limited to 750MB data transfer per day, so you might want to ration it by deactivating ‘Run on Windows launch’ and switching it on manually when you really need it.
The Hotspot Shield Free VPN desktop app redirects all data transmitted by your PC; if you just want to anonymize your web browser traffic, you need Hotspot Shield’s browser extension for Firefox or Chrome. There’s no need to spend time setting it up – just activate the extension and you’re ready to start browsing.
The extensions offer unlimited bandwidth, but won’t encrypt and redirect data outside your web browser (including content streamed to media players).
Hotspot Shield Free VPN is also available as a mobile app for iOS , Android andWindows mobile devices . Like the browser and desktop versions, the mobile app encrypts and re-routes your internet traffic with a single tap – not just from your default web browser, but in apps as well.
The free version of the mobile app shows you ads periodically; these can be dismissed by tapping the cross in the corner. Android users also have a data cap of 256MB per day, which is renewed every 24 hours.
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