Hi Folks,
I want to be able to use my laptop while on holiday (in the UK) just a couple of times a year at Wi-Fi hotspots and I'd like to be able to do it securely so I could check my e-mails, bank etc.
I was going to purchase a "dongle" but it seems an expensive way of doing things because I don't need much capacity and it would have expired by the next time I wanted to use it, so I'd have to buy one for each trip.
Then I came across "Hotspot Shield" which says it uses a VPN to hide your PC from the network and encrypts your traffic.
It's also free so my question is this: "Does it really work?" Are there any dangers?
Regards.

Having previously looked at 'FREE' VPN, I remain unconvinced that there is an easy or relatively clear choice to pick from.

As to 'Hotspot Shield', the following review conclusion really leaves one to wonder:

Hotspot Shield - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Overall, we can't give Hotspot Shield a strong recommendation, but as a last resort it might be worth trying out.

A recent source that I trust recommends a modest cost but seemingly more desirable/mature alternative:

Hide My Ass! Pro VPN Tunnel - VPN servers world-wide