Webroot, AnchorFree Join Forces
Companies team to deliver a new consumer security and privacy offering to Hotspot Shield's 7.5 million users 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.
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