AnchorFree, the world's largest free Wi-Fi network & community, consisting of 10,000 hot spots in more than 2,400 cities across the U.S. and worldwide, today released AnchorFree Hotspot Shield, free security software for Wi-Fi users. The software application provides security and protects user privacy at Wi-Fi locations and addresses the growing industry need for a secure VPN (virtual private network) to protect millions of users' privacy. Wireless internet users can download AnchorFree's Hotspot Shield software at www.anchorfree.com.

There has been rising concern about Wi-Fi security both from public and home Wi-Fi usage. Gartner predicts 80 percent of U.S. wireless local area networks, or WLANs, will classify as "unsecured" by 2007.

AnchorFree Hotspot Shield protects Wi-Fi users' privacy in the following ways:

-- Provides anonymity and privacy

-- Auto encrypts all online interactions and protects user security

-- Prevents hackers from intercepting personal data

-- Offers professional-standard security and protection

"Now there's a free solution designed to help Wi-Fi users address security concerns; this will greatly expand the use of access to email, VoIP calls, instant messaging and general use of the web," said David Gorodyansky, president & co-Founder of AnchorFree. "Ease of use has historically been a big problem with securing municipal Wi-Fi networks. You can have the best encryption out there, but if someone can't set it up easily, it won't ever be used."

The AnchorFree Hotspot Shield can be easily downloaded for free and provides consumers with private and secure access to the web through an encrypted VPN channel. The free download protects consumers from hackers, as well as operators looking to sneak cookies on the user's computers and invade their privacy.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit advocate of consumer online privacy, has voiced privacy concerns with the proposed San Francisco Wi-Fi network. "San Franciscans have the right to a network that respects privacy and autonomy, one that allows users to explore what the Internet has to offer, including information about medical conditions and the use of online banking, without fear of government or commercial surveillance and intrusion," wrote the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

In addition, Westchester County, a large suburb 30 miles north of New York, has proposed legislation that would require businesses that collect customer information to apply basic security like firewalls when also offering wireless access to consumers.

The AnchorFree Hotspot Shield addresses the enormous municipal Wi-Fi concerns and protects consumers from privacy and security invasions and allows Wi-Fi to be safer and consumers to be more secure.

"Until now, Wi-Fi access has left Internet users vulnerable to hackers," said Scott Lewis, founder of MetroFreeFi.com an online Wi-Fi community recently acquired by AnchorFree. "At no cost, we are thrilled to offer Wi-Fi users an effective and simple way to protect themselves."

The AnchorFree Hotspot Shield software can be easily and quickly downloaded and runs on Windows 2000 or higher. The company plans to release the AnchorFree Hotspot Shield software that is compatible with Apple Computers soon.