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Who Needs Cyber Security?

Cyber security is essential for everyone in today’s Internet-driven world. Individuals and businesses alike are susceptible to a variety of malicious attacks that can steal your personal data, hold your files for ransom, or lead to identity fraud down the road.

Unfortunately, simply steering clear of scammy websites is no longer enough to protect yourself. Attackers have become more sophisticated, using convincing phishing schemes, unsecured Wi-Fi connections, and even corporate data to steal your information. So, you need a solution that’s as comprehensive as the threats themselves.

The bright side is that there’s no shortage of powerful cyber security software to keep you safe. Choosing the right one for your needs can be difficult, but we’re here to help!

How Cyber Security Works

Cyber security software is typically more than a single tool, like antivirus. Rather, it’s a suite of tools that all work together to protect you from the different types of threats that are out there.

Some of the most important tools included in cyber security software are:

• Antivirus and anti-malware to identify, quarantine, and eliminate malicious software.
• Firewall to prevent malware and viruses from making it to your computer.
• Virtual private network (VPN) to allow you to securely connect to public Wi-Fi signals.
• Password manager to help you keep unique passwords for all of your online accounts.
• Data breach notifications to let you know when a company that you shop at has been compromised.
• Dark web monitoring to alert you when your email address or personal information has been stolen.
• Credit monitoring to alert you to suspicious activity in your finances that may be due to identity theft.

How to Handle Online Threats

Cyber security packages have a few different ways of identifying and handling malicious attacks.

First, antivirus and firewall tools check every website, download, and application for known malware, using a database of threats assembled by experts. If a potentially dangerous piece of code is spotted, the malware is deleted or quarantined and you’re immediately alerted to the threat.

Second, you can create scheduled scans of your entire system to look for malicious software that may have slipped through the cracks. This allows your cyber security tools to find viruses and malware, no matter where they may be hiding, and delete them.

Third, cyber security tools that monitor the dark web or your credit can alert you when your data has been stolen and is being put to use by attackers. This warning allows you to freeze your credit, cancel your credit cards, or implement other measures to protect yourself against fraud.

Many cyber security software suites also include a password manager. This tool won’t actually protect you against attacks, but that doesn’t make it any less important.

Think about what would happen if a company you shop at is breached and your online account password falls into the wrong hands. If you only use that password for that one account, it’s easy to change your password and move on. If you use that password for all of your digital accounts, though, attackers may now be able to get into your email, bank accounts, and more.

A password manager makes it easy to ensure that you have a unique password for every account. It keeps your passwords secure while also making them accessible to you, so you never have to worry about keeping track of dozens of different passwords.

The final component of cyber security software is a VPN. If you connect to a public Wi-Fi signal, like at the airport or a coffee shop, you could be opening yourself up to attack. Without an encrypted connection, anyone on the same Wi-Fi network can monitor your online activity—including what accounts you’re logging into and what files you’re sharing.

A VPN allows you to secure your Internet connection even if the Wi-Fi router itself is unsecured. That way, you can jump online in public spaces without exposing yourself to risk.

Free vs. Paid Cyber Security Software

While a free cyber security software may be appealing, most experts suggest investing in a paid platform. Succumbing to a malicious online attack because of a cut-rate security solution will end up being more costly in the long run than opting for a high-quality software from the start. Most cyber security software comes with a free trial period, so you can make sure the platform’s tools work for you.

Extra Cyber Security Features You Should Look For

On top of the tools above, there are some extra things to consider when choosing the right cyber security software for you:

• Number of devices - Some cyber security plans only cover a single device, while others cover all of the computers and smartphones in your home. It’s important to make sure you’re completely covered, since your data is only secure if all of the devices you use to access online accounts and files are secure.
• Parental controls - If you have kids, some software platforms allow you to set extra restrictions that limit what sites they can navigate to online.
• Cloud backup - Backing up your most important files in the cloud offers a safe way to insulate your files from ransomware and other malware attacks, no matter what happens to your computer.
• File encryption - If you send sensitive files via email, encryption software can help you protect them during transfer.

How to Choose the Best Cyber Security Company

We make choosing the best cyber security software easier thanks to in-depth expert reviews. Our analysts have explored many of the top cyber security offerings on the market today. In each review, you’ll find information about:

• Pricing
• Features
• Ease of use
• Value for your money
• Customer support
• Reliability and testing

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what cyber security service best meets your needs. If you need more information about any platform, check out our reviews of the top 10 cyber security software.