Hotspot Shield is a free program that allows you not only to secure your connection while surfing wifi hotspots, but also to access sites not normally available outside of the USA.
To secure your internet connection, Hotspot Shield creates a Virtual Private Network (a secure connection, usually abbreviated to VPN) between your computer and the Hotspot Shield developer's website, Anchorfree, based in the USA.
Everything is done in an extra tab open in your browser so there's no need to configure anything. A green and red shield in your system tray indicates when Hotspot Shield is and is not connected. The VPN is encrypted - although it's not clear with what level of security is offered - so that you can surf safely without worrying about others intercepting your data.
The major reason why users are flocking to Hotspot Shield though is because it allows you to view sites in the USA that are usually restricted to outside users. This is particularly useful for video sites such as Hulu or restricted videos on YouTube. Well that's the theory anyway. The reality is that surfing with Hotspot Shield is: a) sometimes slow, and b) does not always circumvent restrictions in the USA. Whether or not you'll be able to access all the sites you want depends largely on luck, although some users report more success trying to access music site Pandora.
Hotspot Shield is very easy to use and a great idea, but don't expect it to perform miracles because using it can be hit or miss.
Download Hotspot Shield 1.57 in Softonic