How often are you connecting to the Internet via a shared or public wifi network? Too often, if you’re not also paying close attention to your online security, because almost any data you send via an open wifi can be captured and analyzed by hackers or even spyware.
Enter the virtual private network, or VPN. It’s simple software that encrypts every data packet coming off your computer, using its intermediate servers to ensure you stay safe…
Some of the larger online sites, like Facebook and Google, have shifted over the last few years to secure connections via the secure socket layer “SSL” browser protocol — identified by “https://” rather than “http://” prefixes — but where most people get into trouble are all the other programs that are running on their systems, whether it’s an email program, an extension that monitors your Facebook page for updates from friends, or even a stock ticker or other utility that stays discretely in the background while you’re working. All of them are using the wifi connection, not just the program or Web site that’s front and center, and so every single one can be exposing your data to a variety of dangers.
The solution is to get up and running with a VPN, one that’s easy to install and can be turned on and off as desired. For example, when I’m working at my own office or in my home, I don’t bother with the VPN: I’m the only computer on my secure network, so I know that I’m about as safe as someone can be when they’re on the Internet. But I’m writing this while sitting at a café, sharing their wifi network with about a dozen other geeks. Are they all trustworthy? Might one of them have some malware that’s doing the traffic analysis without them even knowing, reporting back to a central service when information of interest is detected?
I’ve tried Hotspot Shield before on my computer and written about it. You can read that older piece here: Easy VPN with HotSpot Shield. What’s new in Hotspot Shield Elite is that it’s a complete rewrite of the client app, supports a wide variety of client devices, and is far faster, so fast that I rarely remember that it’s running, which is the ideal. It keeps me safe on these public wifi networks without me having to actually think about it. A definite win.
The way it works once installed is that whenever I connect to a wireless network, it automatically starts working, as indicated by the shield in the menu bar going from red to green. Click on it and a useful menu pops up:
Once you’re running, it is a new “pipe” through which all your Internet traffic funnels, and the app even shows stats:
The most important option, though, is on the menu: “Pause”. In a few instances, I found that there were quirks in my interaction, for example embedding large images into email I was composing in Gmail with the secure browser page. I paused protection, uploaded the image, re-enabled protection (or forgot and had the VPN automatically turn on again) and continued working, no worries.
As mentioned earlier, Hotspot Shield Elite is across a lot of different platforms, not just Mac, and the “Elite” version gives you five device protection:
Quite impressive, actually, and five devices is enough for your desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone, with a spare for your brother or mom. 🙂
Performance has significantly improved since last time I looked at this product too. Last time it was “tolerable but you were aware it was running” and now it’s “barely noticeable, if at all”. It’s impossible to make it completely invisible by the nature of how a VPN works, but this is pretty close. You really can just leave it running all the time and just forget about it unless there’s some quirky behavior (like failure to upload large images into email messages you’re composing).
If you’d like to try Hotspot Shield out without paying the modest fee for an annual license (for five devices, remember) of $29.99 then there’s a free version too, though that slaps a banner advert atop the Web pages you visit, similar to how free wifi works at airports. Here’s an example:
Not horrible and there’s always an “x” button so you can close the layer, but obviously the small upgrade charge is well worth it if you’re going to use this with any frequency. Oh, and those airport wifi connections? Yeah, probably one of the most dangerous open wifi networks you can use without traveling overseas…
In the modern world you can just blithely use wifi networks and never think about data security, I suppose, but eventually it’ll come back and bite you. There’s just too much going on in the world of hackers, crackers and malware authors, and with the presence of free-to-download wifi data sniffers and analyzers, odds are someone has monitored your wireless traffic already in the last few weeks. Ignore it? Or accept an occasional hiccup and slight performance hit (and it’s barely noticeable in my experience) to know that your private communications are indeed private and safe. I suggest the latter. And suggest you check out Hotspot Shield Elite. $29.99/annual, $4.99/month, or free with ads. Please use this (affiliate) link: Hotspot Shield Elite for Mac or, if you’re looking for a different platform: Hotspot Elite for Windows, iOS, or Android.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary license to Hotspot Shield Elite and a small compensation for reviewing this product. I am also using an affiliate link so that while you’ll pay the same price for the software if you purchase it, I get a modest commission to help keep the lights on here at AskDaveTaylor.com central. Thanks.
My Hotspot Shield Elite has suddenly stopped working on my IPhone. I can’t access my UK Sky BBC 5 live extra, etc from abroad, message saying I’m out of the area. Sent endless messages to support by no reply.
I have an odd experience, Not sure if it was HSS, but I have found that what I think was HSS was a massive drain on my battery. I use the elite, but I would say that my battery use increased 300% on both my nexus 5 and 7.
As much as a VPN is going to increase processor use… it seems excessive.
Instead I am just encrypting everything… but if you have any info on potential validation of this problem I would love to hear about it.
I have used it and loved it because it works perfect for me,no slowing down issues.but if you don’t owe a good system then you may suffer issues like slowing down etc.But i would recommend because my experience with it is good.
I’ve tried Hotspot Shield, but the number of ads and installation of PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) was good enough to deter me from signing up for their elite services. The ads, I understand, as it’s not possible to support a free model with the amount of bandwidth the average user consumes. But what’s up with Conduit being installed? That’s where I draw the line.
I’m trying the VPN, version 3.37 and wonder if yours worked with IE11? I’m on Windows 8.1 (update) and loaded Hotspot Shield Elite. It is working fine on Chrome, as reported by checking the IP address, but through IE my usual IP address is reported. It’s like the service just is not working with the VPN. I have a tech support request in to AnchorFree, but was hoping you already knew the answer. I see no plug-ins for it in IE; maybe something didn’t install?
I have purchased the HSS elite last week and I am using version 3.21 it is working fine it connects immediately and i can open google and facebook. i saw that there is a new version which is V 3.37 and i update it. after the update it connects and disconnect. and when i am connected i cannot open the google and my facebook. i send a email to technical service but it is almost 4 days there is no reply.
I’m gonna add my opinion here. I found out about HSS over on Lifehacker.
I’d like to say good things about HSS, but I can’t. When it works like its supposed to, it’s seamless. Today, there’s a problem with the their server which is screwing everything up for me. The one bright spot with HSS down is I now know what’s been screwing up my mail, which has been up and down the last few months, but works fine with HSS turned off.
My biggest complaint with HSS is their (lack of) customer service. Only email, no phone. The first time I needed help with HSS down it took them 7-8 days to respond. The last time it took 4 days. That’s pretty bad.
I found out about HSS over on Lifehacker. Since then I wonder if Lifehacker is on the up and up. Their polls seem slanted to push products. Just wondering.
Everyone talks about the software, never the customer service. HSS Elite helpdesk only utilizes email, is combersome, to say the least. I’ve had, so far, a total of 5+ people respond to request for help which has caused confusion and lagging response time. I’m a very new customer (8 days), I’ve HSS Elite on device using iOS 8.1.1., utilizing 3G…it’s been 6 days since initiating request for help, and am still waiting for it.
Do all the people you communicate with via e-mail also have to have VPN/Hotspot Shield installed?
That’s a good point, JohnY, but since they don’t actually have my email account credentials to check my inbox (not needed to send someone mail, obviously) then they’re kind of on their own. If they have sloppy security habits and get hacked, that person doesn’t get into my account, other than by sending messages into my inbox which spammers and scoundrels are already doing.
But if your e-mail to a friend is encrypted, wouldn’t they also need VPN to read it?
No, the VPN only encrypts information between your computer and the VPN server (e.g., over the open wifi network). Once it gets to the remote system like Gmail it’s unencrypted again.
Hi Dave,
This sounds great. But as far as I can tell, it’s not available for Windows PCs. Is there a VPN you’d recommend for PCs?
Thanks!
It’s definitely available for Windows, John. Where are you looking? Give me a sec, I’ll find a good link for you…