Features

Ultrasurf is a super lightweight application so there aren't many features to speak of. When launched, the app will show the three status lights with their respective speeds next to them. You can select the one that gives you the best performance.

In the options, you'll find options for manipulating Internet Explorer, which Ultrasurf defaults to, though you can disable this. You can manually specify a port for listening so you can forward that port with your router.

Other than this, Ultrasurf doesn't really have any other features.

Interface

While Ultrasurf's interface is easy to use and comprehend, it looks like an app from 1998. The icons are low resolution and have low color depth. These are the stock icons you can find on a machine running Windows 2000.

Usability

Ultrasurf is easy to use but that's because there aren't many features. While this is good for beginners, the app really suffers from the lack of options and information. For example, there's no indication of where the proxy server you're accessing is from.

Other apps like Hotspot Shield give users much more control and is more transparent about what the program is doing. Ultrasurf is more like an on and off switch. There's no fancy encryption algorhythm to mask your traffic.

This is what the company has to say about Ultrasurf's encryption:

"Encryption is between your computer and Ultrasurf proxy servers. Normal web traffic (http) is not encrypted between Ultrasurf and web servers, while secure web traffic (https) is encrypted from user’s computer to the web server. Ultrasurf relays https traffic without interception."

Conclusion

While Ultrasurf is lightweight and simple to use, there are simply better alternatives out there that provide a more transparent options with more features.

Download UltraSurf 13.01 in Softonic

What can you do with HotSpot Shield?

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. This connection makes websites think that you are based in the US.

The major reason why users are flocking to Hotspot Shield is because it allows you to view US websites that are usually restricted to people who don't live there. This is particularly useful for video sites such as Hulu or region-restricted restricted videos on YouTube.

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

Is it easy to use?

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 or is not connected. The VPN is encrypted with 128 bit SSL encryption so you can surf safely without worrying about others intercepting your data.

Does it work?

Hotspot Shield generally works very well. It is ad-supported, however, and be warned that it tries to install a toolbar, although you can opt out of this. If you've got Expat Shield installed, you'll also need to remove it before installing Hotspot Shield. Bear in mind that surfing with Hotspot Shield is noticeably slower than normal, but it's fine for streaming video from video sites such as Hulu.

If you'd like an app that allows you to access other types of blocked and banned sites, check out the rest of our VPNs and access apps here.

Conclusion

Hotspot Shield is easy to install and a useful way of accessing sites and protecting your privacy.

Download Hotspot Shield 2.88 in Softonic

Comprehensive protection from Viruses, Spyware and other Malware. Two combined ultra-fast scanners for cleaning. Live behavior analysis of all active programs - against new dangers. Surf protection which blocks access to known fraud and malware websites. Firewall to block unknown and suspect data transfers. Program guard - allows only known good programs. Anti-Keylogger - detects hidden logging of your keyboard input. Banking mode for secure online banking.

Trust only the best! Includes the awarded dual-engine antivirus scanner Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Emsisoft Online Armor which was awarded the firewall of the year. This premium security package is the perfect alternative to classic Internet Security.

This software is made for novice, experienced and professional users and can be configured in any desired way.

Download Emsisoft Internet Security Pack 7 in Softonic

This virtual private network (VPN) is based on OpenVPN and, like other VPN clients, your network connection so that others can't identify who - or where - you are. Although you have to sign up to use the service, it's free and doesn't require an email address.

Once you have signed up to UltraVPN, you'll get a username and password to log in. That's all you need to do, as the program will automatically connect and assign you a new, anonymous IP address. There are a few configuration options that you can choose to investigate - for instance, you'll be able to set the proxy server to use OpenVPN's settings, Internet Explorer's or manual (HTTP or SOCKS) - but you don't actually have to make any changes to use UltraVPN.

Once you are connected to UltraVPN, you can surf as usual, although you might find it a little slow. Unfortunately, we also had problems accessing Hulu.com and the BBC's iPlayer. As overcoming geographically-based limitations is one of the main reasons many people use a VPN, you'll just have to download UltraVPN to see if it is going to meet your particular needs.

In general, though, UltraVPN program is extremely easy to use and its IP anonymization worked well, so if it gives you access to the sites you want, UltraVPN is a good choice.

If it works with your favorite websites, UltraVPN is a great VPN solution.

Download UltraVPN 2.0.9 in Softonic

In this day and age, it seems like the internet giants are trying to keep tabs on everyone. Google wants to know what you're browsing for, as does Facebook, so both companies can tailor the ads you see on your pages directly to your supposed interests. They also track your location so the ads are locale-specific.

If you don't like the idea of internet companies tracking you using your personal data while browsing online, you're not alone. That's why UltraSurf Firefox Tool was created. People want privacy while web browsing and that's what they get with UltraSurf Firefox Tool, at least according to the app's developers.

UltraSurf Firefox Tool performs a myriad of different tasks in order to protect your privacy online while using Firefox as a browser. For example, it will bypass firewalls for you, encrypt all of your web-based activities so they can't be tracked, circumvent censors and mask your IP address, making you virtually untraceable online. Best of all is that UltraSurf Firefox Tool is completely invisible, so it won't get in the way of your browsing experience.

UltraSurf Firefox Tool's biggest plus is also a huge downside though. If you can't see it working, how do you know it's working at all? Some users will find this frustrating and not be able to tell if UltraSurf Firefox Tool is doing the job it says it does.

If you can get past that though, UltraSurf Firefox Tool is a pretty handy feature for Firefox web surfers.

Download UltraSurf Firefox Tool 2.0 in Softonic

Erasing data solely via the recycle bin is not the safest way to dispose of your data - anyone with a bit of know-how can recover it.

AceErase File Shredder is a simple file shredder and privacy tool in one. It works with several powerful file shredding algorithms which the developers claim are up to the Department of Defence standards and stronger. AceErase File Shredder can permanently delete and destroy files so that no trace is left of them on your hard drives indexing system.

What's nice about AceErase File Shredder is that it supports an easy to use drag and drop interface plus it doesn't just erase files permanently but it also erases history of surfing habits, recently opened files etc. AceErase File Shredder can protect you against Identity Theft or someone recovering data from a PC you've either loaned or used before someone else (such as in internet cafes).

AceErase File Shredder is an easy to use and ultra secure way to delete, shred and destroy files as well as remove traces of any recent activity.

Download AceErase File Shredder in Softonic

You can never be too safe when protecting your PC from misuse. Monitoring and logging for many is the first important step in taking control of their Internet access.

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