SUNNYVALE, Calif. and BOULDER, Colo., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Webroot, a leading Internet security provider for the consumer, enterprise and SMB markets, and AnchorFree, the creator of Hotspot Shield, the world's most popular free virtual private network that keeps consumers safe online, today announced a partnership to deliver a new consumer security and privacy offering to a large segment of Hotspot Shield's 7.5 million users worldwide.

AnchorFree will launch the first ad-free version of Hotspot Shield, which will integrate Webroot's antivirus and antispyware protection with AnchorFree's Internet encryption technology. The new product will provide customers with unprecedented levels of security, privacy and identity protection as they share personal information online during activities such as banking and shopping. Pricing and availability for the ad-free Hotspot Shield featuring security from Webroot will be announced in 2010.

In addition, Hotspot Shield customers will have access to a free 15-day trial of Webroot½ AntiVirus with Spy Sweeper½ or Webroot Internet Security Essentials, and a special discounted purchase price following the trial. AnchorFree is committed to keeping all people secure online and the original Hotspot Shield will remain free to all Internet users worldwide. The free trial and special pricing on Webroot software are available today at http://www.hotspotshield.com.

"Hotspot Shield has experienced 500% growth in the past year alone, and it has become clear to us that people are becoming more aware of the security risks involved with accessing the Web without privacy and security," said David Gorodyansky, co-founder and CEO of AnchorFree (the creators of Hotspot Shield). "Our users trust us to provide them with a safe, private Web experience on the Internet; partnering with Webroot enables us to build on that trust by integrating a lightweight solution to provide unparalleled threat protection on user computer as well as online."

The partnership kicks off during the holiday season when, according to a recent survey conducted by Webroot, 90 percent of consumers plan to travel and 80 percent tend to use free wireless access when on the road. Alarmingly, less than half (42 percent) of consumers polled typically take the protective measure of checking the security settings on the wireless connection before accessing the Internet.(1)

"Security and privacy on the Web will become even more complex as many holiday travelers connect to the Internet in unfamiliar locations," said Paul Lipman, senior vice president and general manager of Webroot's Consumer Business. "Among the Internet users we polled, many are potentially exposing personal and financial information to cyberthieves while using public wireless services. Solutions like Hotspot Shield and Webroot's antimalware protection are imperative for keeping their personal and financial information safe and private. As a leader in protecting against Web-based threats, Webroot is pleased to partner with AnchorFree to extend our protection to secure the online experience of millions of Hotspot Shield users worldwide."

1. Source: The study, commissioned by Webroot using Qualtrics online survey software and sample provided by e-Rewards, included 1,204 respondents in the United States and the United Kingdom who have traveled in the last year, use mobile devices including laptops, netbooks and smartphones, and use the Internet while traveling. Conducted in October 2009, the margin of error for the survey is +/- 2.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

ABOUT WEBROOT

Webroot, a Boulder, Colorado-based company provides industry-leading security solutions to consumers, enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses worldwide. For more information visit http://www.webroot.com or call 800.772.9383.

ABOUT HOTSPOT SHIELD

AnchorFree enables millions of users globally to surf the Web freely and securely through Hotspot Shield, the world's first and most popular ad-supported virtual private network. More than 7.5 million monthly users in 190 countries rely on Hotspot Shield to secure their Web browsing experience, proliferating freedom of information online and democratizing the Web. It is the only free way to ensure privacy and total anonymity online on desktop computers, laptops and iPhones. Hotspot Shield is powered by AnchorFree's proprietary communication platform that enables marketers to distribute ad campaigns, messaging and content to millions of users, totaling over one billion page views every month. AnchorFree is a privately held company with more than $11 million in venture financing and is based in Sunnyvale, California. For more information or to download Hotspot Shield, please visit www.anchorfree.com.