AnchorFree Blog

AnchorFree’s Free Hotspot Shield Also Enables Wi-Fi Locations to Protect Online Patrons from Sidejackers

Sunnyvale, Calif. - April 23, 2008 - AnchorFree today formally announced the launch of Hotspot Shield, a breakthrough software application that keeps Internet connections 100% secure by shielding Internet users’ personal information from potential hackers at shared Wi-Fi locations. The software is free and can be easily downloaded at http://www.anchorfree.com/downloads/hotspot-shield.

Wi-Fi users who download Hotspot Shield protect themselves from online identity theft, including a new wave of sophisticated Internet hacking called sidejacking. Sidejackers obtain authorized site access to computers that are on shared wireless connections at hotels, coffee shops and other public Wi-Fi locations. The offenders then infiltrate emails, view confidential information, change passwords, and in general have full control over all aspects of a user’s screen without their consent or knowledge that this malicious activity is occurring. Additionally, Hotspot Shield encrypts all activity to protect users’ entire online shopping experience – not just the check-out process which is usually secured by e-commerce sites directly.

Hotspot Shield prevents sidejacking and other forms of online ID theft by establishing a virtual private network (VPN) connection between laptops and wireless networks. The VPN acts as a virtual shield, making the Wi-Fi user completely anonymous to others and free from threat from potential hackers looking to view personal emails, credit card information or any other behavioral activities conducted online.

“AnchorFree’s Hotspot Shield was created to provide mobile laptop professionals a safe and private environment from which to connect to broadband Internet, while ensuring wireless connections are safeguarded and that network level data isn’t being eavesdropped upon,” said David Gorodyansky, co-founder and CEO of AnchorFree. “Hotspot Shield creates the ultimate defense for Internet users in public places as well as those seeking a secure shopping experience beyond what e-commerce sites offer. We are proud to be able to offer the software at no cost to anyone looking for a secure connection.”

In addition to helping individual Wi-Fi users, AnchorFree allows small businesses to keep their networks secure. Responsible businesses can offer free wireless access through AnchorFree and then direct their patrons to Hotspot Shield, a value-added tool for maximum protection and security while online at a place of business.

To download the application, go to the AnchorFree Hotspot Shield homepage: http://www.anchorfree.com/downloads/hotspot-shield. The program is free and will install automatically. Hotspot Shield currently runs on Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OS X (10.5 Leopard) and Mac OS X (10.4 Tiger).

About AnchorFree
AnchorFree, the largest broadband media network, is a new marketing channel for brand advertisers to deliver interactive, timely and targeted advertisements to laptop and mobile device users when they are away from the home or office. The AnchorFree network connects advertisers with millions of consumers in a captive, persistent manner that is highly measurable and geo-targeted. AnchorFree is also the first advertising network to offer consumers full control over their privacy and security through the company’s Hotspot Shield, a free advertising supported VPN client available for download at www.anchorfree.com. AnchorFree is a privately held company based in Sunnyvale, California.

Locate Free Wireless with Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder
By Adam Pash, LifeHacker.com 04/09/08

The Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder webapp displays free wireless internet hotspots in your area on a Google Maps mashup. To use it, just give it your address, city, or zip and it’ll display many of the nearby hotspots. This sort of tool isn’t new by any means, but it is returning better results in my area than previously mentioned webapps like Hotspotr. If you give it a try, let’s hear how the hotspot finder measures up in your area in the comments. While you’re there, you may want to download wiPod, which stores all that hotspot information in note form for easy browsing on your iPod.

AnchorFree Hires Two Ad Sales Gurus
By Kathleen, ADOTAS

ADOTAS – Broadband media network AnchorFree today announced the hiring of independent consultant Steven Van Blarcom to run its sales team, expand its broadband advertising network and establish new Hotspot locations around the world.

Van Blarcom, the freshly minted senior vice president, will lead the sales and advertising solutions team. Previously, he ran his own consulting firm, Van Blarcom Consulting, LLC.

“Steven’s addition to the AnchorFree sales team is an important milestone for our company and a step towards expanding our position in what is proving to be a rapidly growing space for new online advertising opportunities,” said David Gorodyansky, co-founder and CEO of AnchorFree, in a release. “We anticipate that his past successes driving strategic partnerships and uncovering untapped opportunities will lead to new and exciting ventures for AnchorFree.”

Anand Sindgi also joined the sales team as vice president of international sales. He will be responsible for establishing sales efforts in the company’s U.K. offices.

AnchorFree provides a media channel for interactive advertisers who want to increase user engagement and brand interaction; the channel delivers banner ads targeted to users’ interests, behavior and geographic location. Customers include AirTran, Circuit City, McDonald’s, Qwest and Ford.

Former AOL and Entertainment Media Works Executive Steven Van Blarcom Joins Sales and Advertising Solutions Team to Generate New Leads and Business Development Opportunities

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - April 7, 2008 - AnchorFree, the largest broadband media network, today announced the addition of Steven Van Blarcom to its Sales and Advertising Solutions Team. In his role as senior vice president of sales, Van Blarcom will lead AnchorFree’s sales team in expanding its growing broadband advertising network and establishing new Hotspot locations worldwide.

AnchorFree provides an innovative media channel that allows advertisers to increase user engagement and brand interaction by delivering unobtrusive, banner-like advertisements precisely targeted to users’ particular interests, behavior and location. AnchorFree’s broadband network guarantees 100% accurate location-based targeting, allowing marketers to reach and interact with out-of-home mobile consumers over the course of their entire online experience.

AnchorFree’s network is already being used by more than 100 brand advertisers, including AirTran, Circuit City, Clorox, Ford, Harrah’s, Kaiser Permanente, Major League Baseball, McDonald’s, Princess Cruises, Prudential, Qwest and Toyota.

In his position, Van Blarcom will be responsible for securing broader adoption of Hotspot advertising among brand-name advertisers and marketers. Additionally, he will be focused on growing AnchorFree’s expanding advertising network by negotiating strategic partnerships with distributors of the company’s Hotspot accessory solutions and branded tools.

Prior to joining AnchorFree, Van Blarcom successfully ran his own consulting venture, Van Blarcom Consulting, LLC. Van Blarcom’s career spans over 15 years, during which time he held top sales and business development positions with companies including Source Media, AOL, Clear Channel and Entertainment Media Works.

“I was immediately attracted to AnchorFree’s business proposition—a simple yet unique way for advertisers to accurately target their audiences at any sponsored Hotspot location,” said Van Blarcom. “I look forward to spreading AnchorFree’s message by expanding awareness around its advertising network and up and coming venues around the world.”

“Steven’s addition to the AnchorFree sales team is an important milestone for our company and a step towards expanding our position in what is proving to be a rapidly growing space for new online advertising opportunities,” said David Gorodyansky, co-founder and CEO of AnchorFree. “We anticipate that his past successes driving strategic partnerships and uncovering untapped opportunities will lead to new and exciting ventures for AnchorFree.”

AnchorFree also added Anand Sindgi as VP International Sales. Sindgi is charged with establishing AnchorFree’s UK based sales efforts. His prior experience includes media sales leadership roles at Digital Look, CPI Financial and Mondial-UAE.

About AnchorFree
AnchorFree, the largest Hotspot media network, is a new marketing channel for brand and direct response marketers to deliver interactive, timely and targeted advertisements to laptop and mobile device users when they are away from the home or office. The AnchorFree network connects advertisers with millions of consumers in a captive, persistent manner that is highly measurable and geo-targeted to these users’ exact locations. AnchorFree is also the first advertising network to offer consumers full control over their privacy and security through the company’s Hotspot Shield, a free advertising supported VPN client available for download at www.anchorfree.com. AnchorFree is a privately held company based in Sunnyvale, California.