[NTLUG:Discuss] Advice requested for free VPN service

[Russ]

I'm down to two computers.  One computer is running Windows only on
which I'm not allowed to dual-boot to Ubuntu 10.04 LTS and a laptop on
which I can and will only run Ubuntu 10.04.  I have a requirement to
use the laptop out of my home but want to do it securely.  I'm asking
for advice with regard to a free (or low cost) VPN service for the
laptop since I'm not wanting to share the contents of my laptop nor my
communications with others on an open or semi-open WiFi.   I'm
thinking that a service based in the US would be best since I intend
to use it only in North America since I've dealt with slow
communications when I worked over seas and used a corporate VPN and
want to avoid the wait.