Hotspot Shield creates a virtual private network (VPN) so you can browse the web safely and anonymously.Every time you access the net, you expose yourself to multiple vulnerabilities. One of those is passing non-encrypted passwords through an unsecured network. For example, let's say you go to the local sandwich shop for lunch that has public wi-fi. These networks are rarely secure and are accessed by everyone in the area. Furthermore, email passwords are not encrypted. So a hacker could simply connect to that wi-fi and use packet sniffing software that can literally grab you email address., password and whatever else you just typed - right out of the air. Hotspot Shield creates an encrypted tunnel that prevents would-be hackers from viewing data like your email, messages, credit card numbers etc. protecting your data and your privacy.