Should I remove Hotspot Shield?
What percent of users and experts removed it?
64% remove it36% keep it
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #24,435
United States Rank #34,937
Reach 0.0074%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 20.84 days
614.79 days >
Average installed length: 323.03 days
Versions
| Version | Distribution |
| 2.67 |
100.00% |
|
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- #24,435 Hotspot Shield 2.67 by AnchorFree Inc
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Hotspot Shield 2.67
What is Hotspot Shield?
If you are using the free Service, AnchorFree may deliver third-party Advertisements within the content of any web page accessed. Advertisements may be injected into the top of the page, inserted directly into the page content, or even displayed to overlay the page. A “hotspot” is a Wi-Fi connection access point. Usually this type of connection is public; therefore, it is completely insecure. Hotspot Shield allows you to create a VPN, or virtual private network, so you can transfer your data securely. When you access the Internet through such connections, you risk having your computer or mobile infected by a virus or even an intruder to enter your system. Moreover, the dangers exist that a malicious person can intercept your information and use it for unfriendly reasons. Hotspot Shield bundles a branded version of the Conduit Toolbar, which delivers search based advertising and results. During installation the user is presented in some cases with the option to install the toolbar (on by default). Once accepted, the packaged executable, ConduitInstaller.exe, will download and install the necessary components for the Conduit Toolbar.
About (from AnchorFree Inc)
Hotspot Shield creates a virtual private network (VPN) between your laptop or iPhone and our Internet gateway. This impenetrable tunnel prevents snoopers, hackers, ISP‘s, from viewing your web browsing activities, instant messages, downloads, credit card information or anything else you send over the network. Hotspot S... Read more
Overview
- Loads into the web browser
- Adds a background Windows Service
- Bundles additional prorgams in setup
Hotspot Shield has been found to be bundled with 3rd party software. If you have not purposefully installed this, you should be safe uninstalling it.
Program details
Displayed publisher: AnchorFree
URL: www.hotspotshield.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Hotspot Shield
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Hotspot Shield\Uninstall.exe
Estimated size: 14.98 MB
Files installed by Hotspot Shield 2.67
| Program executable: | HssSrv.exe |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\Hotspot Shield\HssWPR\HssSrv.exe |
| MD5: | 01947d3cbafcfef066e1eb45dadc182d |
| Hotspot Shield allows you to create a VPN, or virtual private network, so you can transfer your data securely. When you access the Internet through such connections, you risk having your computer or mobile infected by a virus or even an... |
Additional files:
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af_proxy_cmd.exe - AnchorFree Helper Proxy
-
HssIE.dll
-
HssIE_64.dll
-
HssInstaller.exe
-
HssInstaller64.exe
-
HssSrv.exe
-
Uninstall.exe
-
af_proxy.dll
-
fbw.exe - FBW Application
-
ffinst.exe
-
gui-ara.dll
-
gui-bur.dll
-
gui-chi.dll
-
gui-eng.dll
-
gui-fre.dll
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gui-ger.dll
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gui-jpn.dll
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gui-per.dll
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gui-rus.dll
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gui-spa.dll
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gui-tur.dll
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gui-vie.dll
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hssfixme.exe
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hssinst64.dll
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HSSTrayService.exe
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hsswd.exe
-
libcurl.dll (by The cURL library, http://curl.haxx.se/) - The cURL library (libcurl Shared Library)
-
libeay32.dll
-
libidn-11.dll
-
libpkcs11-helper-1.dll (by OpenSC Project) - pkcs11-helper (pkcs11-helper - An easy way to access PKCS#11 modules)
-
libssl32.dll
-
openvpn.exe
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openvpnas.exe
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openvpntray.exe
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tapinstall.exe (by Windows (R) Codename Longhorn DDK provider) - Windows (R) Codename Longhorn DDK driver (Windows Setup API)
-
vistahlp.dll
-
wddll.dll
-
winhlp.dll
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zlib1.dll (by Zlib) - Zlib (Zlib: general purpose data compression / decompression library)
Behaviors exhibited
2 Internet Explorer BHOs
- HssIE_64.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Hotspot Shield Class' with the class of {F9E4A054-E9B1-4BC3-83A3-76A1AE736170}.
- HssIE.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Hotspot Shield Class' with the class of {F9E4A054-E9B1-4BC3-83A3-76A1AE736170}.
Scheduled Task
- Uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{D699B3CF-E439-4A4E-87ED-962D7BC7F504}' (runs on registration).
4 Services
- HssSrv.exe runs as a service named 'Hotspot Shield Routing Service' (HssSrv).
- openvpnas.exe runs as a service named 'Hotspot Shield Service' (hshld).
- hsswd.exe runs as a service named 'Hotspot Shield Monitoring Service' (HssWd).
- HSSTrayService.exe runs as a service named 'Hotspot Shield Tray Service' (HssTrayService).
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| HssSrv.exe |
| Memory: | 2.32 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0029597387% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00168203% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00127771% | |
| Switches/sec: | 7 | |
| fbw.exe |
| Memory: | 21.94 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0070939586% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00381279% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00328117% | |
| Switches/sec: | 26 | |
| hsswd.exe |
| Memory: | 3.44 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0061344360% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00345030% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00268414% | |
| Switches/sec: | 19 | |
How do I remove Hotspot Shield?
You can uninstall Hotspot Shield from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program Hotspot Shield 2.67, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove Hotspot Shield.
- If for some reason uninstallation fails, please install Microsoft's uninstall fixer utility which will help fix problems with programs that can't be uninstalled at support.microsoft.com.
How do I reset my web browser?
If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by Hotspot Shield 2.67 you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
- Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset. Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove search providers, Accelerators and home pages. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.
- The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.
Mozilla Firefox
- At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.
- To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.
- When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
- Select Settings. In the "Search" section, click Manage search engine. Check if (Default) is displayed next to your preferred search engine. If not, mouse over it and click Make default. Mouse over any other suspicious search engine entries that are not familiar and click X to remove them.
- When the "Show Home button" checkbox is selected, a web address appears below it. If you want the Homepage button to open up a different webpage, click Change to enter a link.
- Restart Google Chrome.
OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 63%
Win XP 3%
|
|
HOW IT RUNS
Windows Service? Yes
(Installs a service)
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 64%
Keep it 36%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
72.41% |
|
| Windows 10 |
12.41% |
|
| Windows XP |
11.03% |
|
| Windows Vista |
4.14% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
34.72% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
26.39% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
11.11% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
6.25% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
2.08% |
|
| Windows 8 Pro |
2.08% |
|
Geography
21.33% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
21.33% |
| Iran |
14.00% |
| Germany |
14.00% |
| Saudi Arabia |
6.67% |
| Italy |
3.33% |
| Turkey |
2.67% |
| United Kingdom |
2.67% |
| Vietnam |
2.00% |
| Thailand |
2.00% |
| Philippines |
2.00% |
| Spain |
2.00% |
| Israel |
2.00% |
| United Arab Emirates |
2.00% |
| MK |
1.33% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
19.79% |
|
| Dell |
17.71% |
|
| Acer |
16.67% |
|
| Toshiba |
13.54% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
11.46% |
|
| ASUS |
11.46% |
|
| Samsung |
4.17% |
|
| Sony |
3.13% |
|
| Medion |
1.04% |
|
| Intel |
1.04% |
|
Common models |
| Dell Inspiron N5110 |
2.80% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite L500 |
2.80% |
|
| Dell Inspiron 1564 |
1.87% |
|
| HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
1.87% |
|
| Acer Aspire 5734Z |
1.87% |
|
| Dell Studio XPS 435T/9000 |
1.87% |
|
About AnchorFree Inc
AnchorFree provides online privacy and security solutions for Web users, advertisers, and publishers.
Publisher URL: www.anchorfree.com