To secure your internet connection, Hotspot Shield Elite creates a Virtual Private Network (a secure connection, usually abbreviated to VPN) between your computer and the Hotspot Shield Elite 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 with 128 bit SSL encryption so that you can surf safely without worrying about others intercepting your data.

The major reason why users are flocking to Hotspot Shield Elite 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. The advantage over the free version is that streaming is much more stable. You can also view your purchase history for Hotspot Shield Elite in your browser.

Hotspot Shield Elite works very well and you don't have to put up with an ad banner at the top of your browser like in the free version. In addition, it tries to install a toolbar at the beginning although you can opt out of this. If you've got Expat Shield installed, you'll also need to remove that first before installing. Also, surfing with Hotspot Shield is noticeably slower than normal but it's fine for streaming video from video sites such as Hulu.

Hotspot Shield now includes malware protection meaning that while using it, you shouldn't get infected by anything that may damage your system.

Hotspot Shield Elite is an easy-to-install and use way of accessing sites that are blocked in your region.

Download Hotspot Shield Elite 2.93 in Softonic

It clearly shows the surfing habits of users so you know exactly where they go online, at what time and for how long. With CyberPatrol, you can stop users from accessing harmful Internet content by blocking unsuitable websites, newsgroups and search engine images. It also allows you to impose automatic time restrictions on browsing activity which is particularly useful if you've got children that use your PC. For employers, it's useful because it can restrict chatting to friends on IM clients such as Messenger, Trillian, Skype and G-Talk. These are probably two of the most important aspects of the program but it can do much more.

This is one hell of a comprehensive protection tool and will definitely be of interest to home users with children or employers with internet happy employees.

Download CyberPatrol 7.6 in Softonic

First things first, Net Nanny lets you block inconvenient material such as adult sites, violence or drug related websites. In all there are 31 categories of sensitive material that you can choose to block or not. Net Nanny also integrates Safe Search, a feature which works with most search engines like Yahoo! or Google.

Net Nanny also lets you set time restrictions and decide when your computer is blocked. You can also put limits on games played on internet by your kids.

The best way to use Net Nanny is probably to create profiles for each of your kids and set filters, different login types and passwords for each of them.

Net Nanny will also generate reports of login and usage and keep you aware of any attempts at accessing restricted material.

Although the installation is a little lengthy, Net Nanny will give you good control over what your children can access on your computer.

Download Net Nanny Parental Controls 5.6 in Softonic