Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc. that allows the user to connect to a virtual private network (VPN).^[1][2] It is used for securing Internet connections, often in unsecured networks.^[1] Hotspot Shield was used to bypass government censorship during the Arab Spring protests in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya.^[3][4]

Hotspot Shield was developed by AnchorFree, a company in Silicon Valley.^[1][5] The software was released in April 2008 forWindows and Mac operating systems, and was expanded to include support for iOS and Android in 2011 and 2012, respectively.^[6]

Hotspot Shield establishes a virtual private network connection. The software usually protects information from being accessed or tracked by third parties.^[3] AnchorFree operates Hotspot Shield with a freemium business model: the main features of the software are free, but users have to pay to get additional features, which include the elimination of advertisements, antivirus protection and the ability to choose which country from several wherein the VPN is located.