Fortunately, there's a simple fix: a virtual private network (VPN) that effectively makes your system invisible, thus protecting it from prying hacker eyes.

Most VPN software costs money, but if you're on a tight budget, check out AnchorFree’s . This free utility, available for Windows, Mac OS, and iOS, establishes a secure connection between your laptop and the company’s servers, then routes your Internet traffic through that connection so it stays private and hidden.

As an added bonus, this method also enables users outside the U.S. to access U.S.-only sites and content, so it’s a nice tool to have when traveling abroad.

HotSpot Shield has been around for a couple years, but a new version released not long ago adds an important feature to the mix: malware protection. If you try to access a domain that’s known to contain malware, the program will alert you -- and block the site.

Would you use this in place of your existing anti-malware software? No, because HotSpot Shield focuses exclusively on Web-based threats -- the stuff you encounter while browsing. So think of it as an additional layer of protection, one that kicks in when you’re hitting the hotspots.