Access US-Only Web Content with Hotspot Shield

10:00PM May 31, 2008 | Adam Pash

Windows only: Freeware application Hotspot Shield secures your public web browsing by connecting you to the internet through the Hotspot Shield virtual private network. What more people seem to use Hotspot Shield for is to access US-only websites from outside the US. We post a lot of content on Lifehacker, and sometimes we get guff for not identifying US-only services. Hotspot Shield has been the go-to service for tons of Lifehacker readers dying to try a site who’ve hit the US-only wall. Hotspot Shield is ad-supported and installs a toolbar (lame, I know), Windows only. Got another tried and true method for accessing region-specific sites? Let’s hear about it in the comments.

Comments

Raj

June 2, 2008 at 10:09 AM

This isn’t Windows only. It works fine on your Mac too!

SC

August 14, 2008 at 6:46 AM

Im in England trying to access australian-only web content, hotspot shield only seems to be good for the US/Canada sites. Does anyone know of anything similar I could use to access Australian content?

Phil

December 18, 2008 at 11:45 PM

Hotspot Shield does work great on Mac – excellent for watching Hulu! Of course the BBC has really developed iPlayer and there is some great content. I access it from Australia via a Proxy that I am fortunate to have access to in the UK. On OS 10.5 you can choose to route all HTTP traffic via the VPN, this works a treat. Windows lets you do the same.
If you don’t have access to your own VPN server there a loads of good paid services available from about US$5-10 per month (or you could take your chances with a free non-transparent proxy (updated lists at http://www.xroxy.com/proxy-country-GB.htm)

I haven’t found an free or Oz based VPN service but I will have look and post if I can find one.

rouge

February 27, 2009 at 11:19 PM

This is brilliant thank You! Great way to support show ratings through hulu.

Ali Kazani

March 15, 2009 at 6:41 PM

heii..
i have a mac leapord and wen i use hotspot.. it getz connected butt den no websites work.. plzz tell me wat should be done..

fanbot

May 24, 2009 at 10:21 PM

meybi youuz can getz an edookation n lern how 2 spel, dude.

yoyo

February 7, 2010 at 5:43 PM

*snerk* at fanbot.
You said it. How much harder can it be to use correct spelling?
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Adam

January 15, 2010 at 2:39 AM

Thanks! works perfectly.

ck

September 26, 2011 at 8:05 PM

hotspot allows me to watch US tv programs perfectly in Australia.
it helps me from being homesick
America is a great country, much better than Australia

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