Consumers can now get the advantages of Virtual Private Network (VPN) security with VIPRE's® new WiFi Shield with a nationwide launch that is a digital stake in the ground amidst rapidly growing threats wherever consumers take their mobile devices.

Public WiFi hotspots in hotels, coffee shops and airports, as well as most any hotspot around town may not be secure. Mobile devices are at the greatest risk because of the possible dangers public WiFi present to those surfing social networks, personal email and banking sites via smart devices. Further, cyber-criminals are finding it increasingly easy to hack into uncontrolled wireless networks using Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) techniques that give them full view of all information transmitted across the network. Consequently, anyone using those networks are at risk of others intercepting their communications, usernames, passwords and other private data.

A House Not So Divided, Reasons to Hack Multiply
Even before the U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to repeal FCC rules that would block ISPs from selling users' browsing histories, the anticipated impact was already apparent. Industry trends, for example, reflected a massive rise in U.S. searches related to VPNs and private Internet access. Such heightened concerns are understandable, especially considering the limited number of consumers using built-in VPN protection.

"We've been closely following the legislative direction and growing consumer consciousness associated with privacy," commented Usman Choudhary, chief product officer at ThreatTrack, developer of VIPRE, noting that HSN debuts VIPRE WiFi Shield for the first 30 days of the national roll out. "Let's face it – current trends increasingly put the consumer at a disadvantage. We already know that security concerns are proliferating—now there's even more reason to double-down on the consumer side as much as in the workplace. We're covering the spectrum of vulnerabilities and putting the highest measures of protection in the hands of those who need it the most."

VIPRE WiFi Shield protects identity and personal data by encrypting WiFi signals. Everything consumers do online is protected with the highest-level security, so they can surf, share, shop and bank online with confidence. The solution keeps everything from passwords and pictures to app data, personal information and even their identity out of the reach of hackers, while also providing:

• Sophisticated Security – Offering VPN technology using the same 128-bit encryption trusted by financial institutions and government agencies
• Global Accessibility - Works in any hotspot, anywhere in the world
• Total Anonymity - Automatically reroutes data through an encrypted server in another location, keeping users anonymous by never disclosing the actual location and IP address
• Simplicity - Installs quickly and takes only seconds to connect to a secure encryption server, allowing secure web browsing from any public hotspot
• Non-Intrusive - Runs invisibly in the background without interfering with device usage
• Dedicated Support - Extraordinary customer service with real product support from a real person via email

VIPRE WiFi Shield options range from Windows PCs with Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 to Intel-based Macs with OS X Yosemite 10.10, OS X El Capitan 10.11 or Mac OS Sierra 10.12. Tablets and smartphones include Androids handsets and tablets running version 5.0 or higher. 

"The range of options even approaching this degree of flexibility and protection is quite limited," Choudhary added. "Some well-known vendors have made it clear they're not willing to go this route, underscoring that it falls outside their core competencies. We are more than happy to cost effectively pave the VPN way for consumers. Public WiFi networks may not be not secure, rendering personal information an easy target for hacking and identity theft. Consumers can now take control of online privacy with VIPRE WiFi Shield's bank-level security."

Source: VIPRE media announcement