Make iPhone Wi-Fi AnchorFree
Podcast. Today, AnchorFree released security software for protecting iPhones connecting over Wi-Fi hotspots. Is this software/service really necessary? |
No surprise, Mark Smith, AnchorFree's chief operating officer, thinks so. He explains in this podcast recorded on Oct. 21 for today's release of Hotspot Shield for iPhone.
The software/service creates a VPN connection through AnchorFree servers from the iPhone over the hotspot. Mark legitimately contends that free hotspots tend to be unsecured and that even fee-services often use unencrypted connections.
I'm a little baffled by AnchorFree's business model and told mark so. AnchorFree also offers an ad-supported product for laptops. Right now, AnchorFree doesn't have a revenue model for its iPhone product. It's a risky strategy, but one with payoff if AnchorFree gains brand traction on the emerging iPhone mobile platform.
That said, I'm skeptical most iPhone users would bother downloading and using AnchorFree or would take on the performance and bandwidth overhead of the product. Then there are battery-life considerations, which I can't address without testing.
Host: Joe Wilcox
Guest: Mark Smith
Length: 00:16:42
AnchorFree is identifying one critical areas of concern for iPhone: Security. I don't think Apple has given iPhone security the kind of attention that is needed. As more people use iPhones, the platform will become more attractive to hackers and phishers. People carry around mass amounts of personal data, including easy access to e-mail and other accounts.
By the way, this is the first Apple Watch podcast. I've done plenty at Microsoft Watch, and will make podcasts a regular Apple Watch feature. Over time, I'll improve production value (surely, a intro riff is needed) and make podcasts available at the iTunes music store. I encourage Apple developers and other partners to contact me about being featured in a future Apple Watch podcast.
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