Most Wi-Fi hotspots don't use encryption to protect your web browsing and Internet activity like private networks can. Additionally, encryption doesn't exist on most wired connections you hook up to in hotels, airports, and other public places. Securing entire public networks just isn't very feasible.
However, you can easily secure your Internet sessions to prevent other nearby Wi-Fi users from snooping on what sites you're visiting and possibly capturing your emails, passwords, and other sensitive information.
You can use a solution, called a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which was originally designed for securely accessing remote networks. In this public network security scenario, a VPN server is hosted by a company, such as the ones we're going to discuss. They also provide a VPN client application, which you install on your computer.
Once you connect to the company's VPN server, no matter where you are, all Internet browsing and traffic is routed to and from the company's network through an encrypted tunnel over the Internet.
VPNs offer a few benefits in addition to protecting your network traffic from eavesdroppers:
- They bypass network filtering to view blocked websites.
- They use any restricted services: like VoIP, chatting, and instant messaging.
- They hide your IP address—surf anonymously.
- They avoid a country's Internet restrictions.
There are a few varieties of VPN solutions. The most popular for public network security is an SSL-based VPN, which uses similar encryption to what we trust for our banking and government sites.
Without further ado, here are the five hotspot applications and services you can use to secure your public browsing.
#1: UltraVPN
This solution is based on the popular OpenVPN client/server. Fortunately, they follow a stricter open source approach and don't run ads or otherwise try to gain revenue—they accept donations. Plus they don't impose traffic limitations, so you can use the service as much as you want.
The UltraVPN client is basically a modified version of the OpenVPN client, offered for Windows and Mac OS X. The settings are preconfigured, a system tray icon is added, and a customized GUI provides a more user-friendly experience.
Linux users can download the UltraVPN source code and build the binaries. The UltraVPN servers are hosted by Lynanda.
Although you must create an account to use the free service, the process is very simple. Just enter a desired username and password. You don't have to do an email verification or even enter an address.
Once installed in Windows, you'll see an icon in the system tray. To connect, simply right-click the icon and select Connect.
This icon also features shortcuts to enter Proxy settings if needed.
#2: Hotspot Shield from AnchorFree
Although the app is free, you'll be offered anti-viral and anti-spyware utilities, a browser toolbar, and other features during the Hotspot Shield install.
If you aren't already protected this might be useful, but for most it's an annoyance.
Even worse, the Hotspot Shield injects an AD bar on the top of most web pages you view while connected to the service.
Nevertheless, Hotspot Shield is free and will keep your Internet activities private. Currently it's offering usage up to 5 GB per month, which is more than enough for casual usage while on unsecured networks.
Hotspot Shield also supports up to Windows 7 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
Once installed in Windows, you'll find an icon in the system tray. You can glance at its color or hover over it to get the connection status: connecting, connected, or disconnected from the VPN service.
To bring up the connection properties window, click the icon and select Properties. A simple web page interface appears, in which you can see the status and get the connection details: VPN IP address, VPN server address, bytes sent and received, and date/time you connected.
To disconnect from the service, simply click the icon and select Disconnect.
#3: FreeVPN by WSC
This solution not only supports Windows 7 and earlier but also supports Apple's iPhone and iPad. However, its free service is funded via advertisements.
Each time you connect to the VPN service, it changes your web browser's homepage to its customized search engine. It doesn't change back to your original homepage when you disconnect; you have to do it yourself.
Installing the FreeVPN client is a cinch. Once you open it, you'll find a small simple program, ready to connect to many different VPN servers among varying countries.
Paying users can input their login credentials to disable ads and enable the use of torrents while connected to the service. On the client you'll also find a place to input Proxy settings, if needed.
#4: iPIG from iOpus
The VPN server and client from iOpus are free and open source, available for Windows. You won't receive any annoying offers or advertisements during the install of the client. However, you'll have to create an account to use the service.
Plus the free service is limited to a measly 10 MB of free traffic; then you must purchase more.
Once you exceed the traffic limit you could install and use your own free iPig VPN server.
After the installation, an icon in the system tray will appear. Double-click the icon to bring up the client application.
If you don't already have an account, you can click the shortcut button to create an account. After that, simply input your username and password, click iPig On, and you're secured.
#5: CyberGhost
This is a German-based company offering free and premium services. The monthly traffic limit is 1 GB, which is enough for most to use occasionally. However, you'll find the overall solution to be more bulky than the others.
The installation is straightforward. Although the Microsoft .NET 3.5 Framework is required, the CyberGhost installer will download and install it.
When you bring up the client for the first time, you'll see a button to create an account. It's not particularly complex, but you must do an email verification.
Once you log in, you'll see the main CyberGhost client. To use the free service, hit the Connect Basic button and wait for it to connect.
From the client you can also view your usage, settings, and exceptions. When you close the client, you still have the system tray icon.
Simply right-click it for all the shortcuts.