5 Online Security Tools You Should Install Today! While the world is going digital, cyber threats are increasing exponentially. Cyberstalking, evil twin attacks, malware are only a few to count. As more day-to-day events are done virtually, we can expect more security breaches. No doubt, companies expend thousands of dollars to get the tightest safety actions. But what do you do when you’re just starting and don’t have the assets to pay for costly security for your business or private data? Take a breath because computer security is not a luxury that only multi-million corporations can afford. Anyone can get it quickly. Read this article and explore the top security tools you can use today to practice satisfactory levels of security and privacy.
Top Online Security Tools
There are several incentives for doing online business, especially when the world is locked down due to pandemic. One of these is having a surplus of sources at your clearance. Suppose you’re searching for simple, operative ways to stay on the best of cybersecurity. These tools can help you guard your system against malware infection, protect your network and assist you to browse securely.
1. iProVPN
iProVPN is a promising security tool that offers numerous features associated with internet safety. This is the best VPN provider offering the highest security standards and guarantees your IP address is not visible. It ensures that your private and sensitive data is encrypted by using industry-leading 256-bit AES technology. In case your VPN connection drops, iProVPN’s Kill Switch will prevent your IP from getting leaked and your data from getting exposed. iProVPN’s servers are dispersed worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and more. Users can enjoy their favorite content in the best quality with unlimited bandwidth. You can change VPN servers, stream, torrent, exchange large files and use public Wi-Fi with high protection. iProVPN is indeed the best VPN provider because it doesn’t log, monitor or track your online activities. It also helps unblock geo-restricted content, blocks third-party pop ups and advertisements. It has a 30-days free trial and users can decide for themselves if they would like to pay for the premium plans.
2. Twilio 2 Factor Authentication
2 Factor Authentication (like One Time Password Tokens and Biometric Verification are just as important as a strong password because of higher risks of hacking. Twilio Authy is one such app that helps users achieve an additional level of security. Users can choose to either use it as their screen locks or enable the app to protect their social media accounts, banking platforms, and community forums. The app does not show apps, and seemingly fulfils all its privacy related promises. It has free basic plans with limited devices, but you can always upgrade to business accounts for higher usability, ease and privacy.
3. Dashlane
Remembering all the passwords is difficult; so it’s better to leave it on the password manager. It makes the internet more manageable by providing autofill for passwords, payments, and personal info. It generates unique passwords, helps the user log in anywhere, remembers passwords for the users, and organizes them by notifying the user to change as and when required. It synchronizes the users’ Dashlane’s data to every device automatically.
4. Google Find My Device
It is crucial to keep your device and the data in its storage safe. Everyone has private data in their devices, be it an Android, a tablet, an OS watch, or any other device. That can be obtained, locked, erased or misused easily. To prevent data leaks and breaches, it is ideal to have a device locator installed. For the app to work efficiently, the device should be signed in to a Google account, be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, have its location on, and Find my Device turned active. Even if the device is turned off, the user can still erase their sensitive data remotely, using any other device.
5. BitDefender Antivirus Free
Using Bitdefender Antivirus Free is extremely easy —launch the app and tap the Scan button to start the virus scanner. It is a no-nonsense free Android antivirus application. It’s the perfect choice if you require an antivirus that settles down quietly on your device without overriding battery life or resources while still offering adequate protection. It does not annoy the users with ads, pop-ups, or annoying notifications, and it’s accessible entirely for free. It can be used for family protection and for business too.
Steps for Cybersecurity and Privacy
Besides these useful tools, users can follow these steps to achieve higher device-level and network-level security and privacy:
- Avoid oversharing personal information on social media to prevent cyberstalking and cyber-bullying issues.
- Limit engagement with catfishing or fake profiles. It is ideal to review your privacy settings and friends and followers’ lists. Report or block any account that you think is suspicious.
- If you are a remote worker, avoid exchanging sensitive information and data files through Gmail and Hotmail. Instead, switch to Tutanota and Protonmail secure email providers.
- If you have not activated a VPN, avoid browsing through public Wi-Fi.
- When using a shared device, for example your friend’s laptop, make sure to enable the Incognito Mode or Private Window.
- Consider browsing through Mozilla Firefox, rather than Google Chrome, since the latter has an ad-program and is not as secure as users think it to be.
- Review internet cookies on your browser every 2-3 months. Delete third-party cookies especially if they belong to websites you don’t visit frequently.
- Don’t click on websites that do not start with HTTPS (or don’t have a padlock icon). These are insecure websites and may contribute to data breaches.
- When using a Wi-Fi service at an airport, library, school or hotel, carefully verify the network name (also called SSID) then attempt to connect or you may end up connecting to an evil twin, fake access point.
- Avoid logging into company portals, banking and shopping websites on devices that don’t have an antivirus program. If hackers can steal the session cookies and take over your browsing session, they can subscribe to expensive services or make hefty purchases from your shopping accounts after misusing your card details.
- Enable a password protection on sensitive files, spreadsheets, taxation and banking statements when exchanging them through Skype, Zoom, social media sites or even email providers.
- If you use Gmail, turn off ad-personalization and complete the security checklist provided with every Gmail account.
- Only download apps that are secure, do not consume excessive data or battery and the ones that don’t ask for app permissions. You can use an app called Bouncer to temporarily allow and disallow access to apps.
Bottomline
Technology has made almost everything go online. The internet has occupied a significant part of our life, especially in this outbreak. In a world where cyberattacks occur ideally every 39 seconds, online security can no longer be taken lightly. Online safety signifies the process of staying secure and private on the internet – making sure online security dangers don’t expose your private information or the IP address you are using. These 5 online security tools can help users protect their sensitive data from snoopers and hackers. Make sure to stay vigilant and think before clicking popups, third-party ads and suspicious links. Else, your whole private data could be in danger.