Latest from Top Ten Reviews in Web-security

Best computer protection software 2022

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 17:26:14 +0000

The best computer protection software is your front line security to keep your machine safe as well as your identity stored within. You may have already seen our best antivirus software guide and want to dive deeper into computer specific cover. You're in the right place.

This will mean that all your important data and personal information can be stored safely on your computer without worry of intrusion. The right computer protection software will not only keep your machine safe but will also keep your identity online secure. That means making sure nobody gets access to your data but also, in many cases, this spots if that does happen and takes action to help.

Some options offer multiple device protections, meaning you can have your smartphone and your tablet covered too, for example. These are similar to the best computer protection software, but we classify them as internet security software as they cover all kinds of devices.

It's also worth keeping an eye out for extras that might be of use. The password manager, which means a one click sign on for all your devices, is a useful addition. As is a VPN, which means your location is kept hidden when online.

Read on to find out which is the best computer protection software for you.

Best computer protection software

We've rounded up the best computer protection software to help you find the right service for you. From keeping your data safe and secure to protecting multiple devices, there are plenty of features to look for in the perfect service. Discover the best one for you below.

Best computer protection software

(Image credit: Norton)

1. Norton 360

One of the best options for ultimate PC protection

Amazing value for money

Easy to use

Different tiers for different needs

It costs more to run Norton 360 on multiple devices

It uses a lot of RAM and system resources, could slow some devices down

When it comes to complete multi-layer protection for your personal devices, few can compare to Norton 360. There are many packages to choose from, but for the average user we would recommend Norton 360 Deluxe. This is because it's the most cost-effective way to get a multitude of benefits and top-class protection for your devices, while also keeping things easy to comprehend for the average tech user.

Norton 360 will block viruses, ransomware, spyware, and malware while also giving you a password manager, VPN and up to 200GB of cloud storage. You will also receive data breach alerts, so that you can update and change your passwords if they ever get leaked. Norton is so confident in its ability to protect your PC that it will give you a full refund if you catch a virus while using their software.

If you choose to go for the most expensive "Norton 360 Advanced" package, then you will be able to install Norton 360 on up to ten devices at once, with active firewalls and a 100% virus protection promise on all of them. The advanced package also offers dark web monitoring - Norton will scan the dark web for your personal details and will notify you if your private information has ever been leaked or stolen.

(Image credit: Bitdefender)

2. Bitdefender

A large number of plans for different needs

Very good protection

Many different plans

Easy to install and use

Some of the options are not the best value

Support response can be slow

Cheaper packages only cover Windows

When it comes to freedom of choice, Bitdefender has a plan for almost everyone. Whether you are a business owner or you just use your devices for online shopping, Bitdefender will have a plan that meets your needs. The more you pay, the more you will get from your package, but not everyone needs the expensive options. For the average internet user, the Internet Security package or the Family Pack will be enough to cover all of your devices and help you browse in confidence.

The Internet Security package will protect three devices with an effective antivirus. This will ensure that your devices are protected against harmful malware that could potentially slow down your computer or steal your personal information. As well as protection against viruses, Bitdefender Internet Security will also help you browse the internet worry-free with their new and improved VPN. The VPN will help protect you while online by encrypting all of your internet traffic so that you can't be tracked easily online.

If you have more devices or have a family that you want to keep safe then the Family Pack could be a better choice for you. The Family Pack covers up to 15 devices at once and offers protection for macOS, iOS, and Android as well as Windows. The Family Pack also offers parental control, to stop your children from viewing potentially harmful material on the internet.

(Image credit: AVG)

3. AVG Ultimate

Best computer software for additional tools and features

A multitude of features

Good price

Amazing protection

Some features take more advanced tech knowledge to utilize

It can get expensive after a year

If you are looking for computer protection software that has more features than just antivirus and a VPN, then AVG Ultimate could be the best choice for you. Its antivirus is capable of identifying harmful cookies and malware before it even has a chance to infect your device, sniping it from any dodgy links or downloads that you may unknowingly click on.

AVG Ultimate also comes with AVG TuneUP, a tool that clears up junk from your PC to keep it running at maximum efficiency. During our testing, AVG TuneUP cleared around 6GB of junk from our hard drives, resulting in a notable increase in performance.

AVG Ultimate is available on Windows, macOS, Android 5.0 or above, and iOS 10.0 or above. This gives you the freedom and comfort to use it across multiple devices so that you can always browse the internet worry-free.

Throughout our testing process, we did find one major flaw with AVG Ultimate. A lot of its features are not particularly novice-friendly. Tools such as their internet filter or the process of "allowing" certain files take a relative amount of tech knowledge to utilize and will not be easily accessible for the average device user.

As a novice, you will still be able to get a lot out of AVG Ultimate but to truly get your money's worth (especially after 1 year when the subscription price increases) you will want to take some time to learn what each part of the software does, and how to use it properly.

(Image credit: McAfee)

4. McAfee Total Protection

If you use cryptocurrency then you need this software

Great antivirus performance

user friendly interface

Password manager, VPN, file shredder and more

Price has crept up

VPN locked behind auto-renewal

McAfee Total Protection is designed to monitor your cryptocurrency accounts and stop threats that try to hack in. This means Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency attacks can be avoided best with this software.

McAfee Total Protection works on Mac, PC and smartphones to protect them against viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware. It offers a firewall, password manager, file shredder, a secure VPN, identity theft protection, tech scam protection, and file-less attacks.

There aren't as many plan options as some others, but McAfee has managed to cover all the bases with just a few tiers of protection.

(Image credit: Avast)

5. Avast Premium Security

For an affordable option this offers a lot of features

Free antivirus software

Great antivirus capabilities

Slows down your devices

Paid subscriptions aren't as good as competitors

Avast Premium Security is an antivirus suite that offers plenty of features at a decent price. This is a more comprehensive version of the Avast Antivirus offering which is free and does a lot, when that value is taken into consideration.

Avast is pirate speak for stop and that's what this does when it comes to viruses trying to get into you Mac, PC or smartphone. Go for single device cover or get 10 covered at once depending on the package you pick. Either way you'll get protection from viruses, malware, ransomware, phishing attacks and more. This will even scan your WiFi to find weaknesses.

(Image credit: Trend Micro)

6. Trend Micro Antivirus Plus Security

A great option for real-world customer support

24/7 customer support

Great protection

Easy to use

Lacking extra features

Slows down computers

Expensive compared to others

The Trend Micro Antivirus Plus Security offering is a powerful one that not only covers your computer but also your mobile devices. So if you want cover when on the go as well as on your computer, this option – which gives you a VPN too – is a great choice. At the top end, with Maximum Security, you get lots of premium features.

Up to five devices can be covered at once and that includes iOS and Android. The service offers dark web monitoring, meaning should your identity be compromised and used online, you will be notified right away. There's even 24/7 technical support to help you take action and remote login to let a pro access your device to fix any issues for you.

(Image credit: Future)

7. F-Secure

For a straight forward set of options F-Secure is ideal

Low system impact

Outstanding antivirus capabilities

A little expensive

No extra features

F-Secure Anti-Virus falls into three categories of, Anti-Virus, SAFE and TOTAL. The latter, at the upper end, offers the best overall protection. Not only do you get virus protection – with perfect test scores – but also malware cover for Mac, PC and smartphones.

This software is very light too, putting little processor strain on your device which means it can work in the background without you noticing. Cover runs for up to seven devices at once, with cheaper options for five or three devices.

Thrown in is the F-Secure FREEDOME VPN that means your identity is kept secure and location secret. Dark web monitoring will alert you if your details appear online and you can use smartphone notifications to be alerted if any service you use is hacked and you may be compromised.

(Image credit: VIPRE)

8. VIPRE Advanced Security

VIPRE is a decent option if you want to save system resources

Low resource usage so your device won't be slowed down

US-based support

30-day free trial

No smartphone options

The lowest tiers have few extra tools

If you're concerned about your computer protection software slowing down your PC, then VIPRE Advanced Security is definitely an option to consider. VIPRE leaves a minimal footprint, meaning that your device's RAM and CPU usage are kept low. This is great if you want to use your PC for activities such as gaming or graphic design, as it will not cause any major lag spikes or stuttering while you're busy.

VIPRE defends against ransomware and various forms of malware, such as Trojans, rootkits and spyware. It also comes with an active firewall that protects against incoming and outgoing internet traffic. This will mean that you have an active layer of protection when online. For advanced users, there are customizable settings to tailor your firewall to your exact needs.

Compared to others on the list, VIPRE is very basic. This can be a positive if you are a computer protection software newbie, as there isn't a lot of complicated jargon or tools to wrap your head around.

However, if you're an experienced tech user and know how to tackle these things, then you will find VIPRE quite underwhelming. It doesn't offer many extra layers of protection that the others give you (such as a VPN or an internet filter). If you're uncertain whether it's for you, VIPRE offers a 30-day free trial so that you can test it for yourself. However, if you commit to a full subscription you will most likely need to find a VPN and other security tools elsewhere.

(Image credit: Webroot Secureanywhere)

9. Webroot Secureanywhere

Ideal if you want to stay light on system resources

Affordable

Gentle on resources

Ransomware rollback

Limited lab test results as different detection style

Webroot Secureanywhere is a very, very light way to get your device protected. The install package is just 4MB, so that can give you some idea of how little this affects the performance of your machine. This is thanks to an antivirus program which runs minimally, locally, but keeps its big AI brain up in the cloud.

You still get protection against viruses, established or new, malware, phishing, hacks and more. Only this does that by monitoring locally until the cloud smarts decides action needs to be taken. As such any threat that has caused damage can be annihilated and the changes rolled back so you're secure and running as normal.

You won't get extras like a VPN or parental controls for a price that isn't much cheaper than the competition and there are antivirus performance questions still floating around, so this is lower down on our list for now.

Buying advice for the best computer protection software

Do you need an antivirus for Windows 10?

Windows Defender has come a long way and now scores pretty high in third-party security tests for detecting and protecting against malware. Windows 10's bundled virus protections do a solid job securing PCs from internet threats, but it's no match for a dedicated computer protection program.

While no antivirus software can guarantee 100 percent virus protection (though some programs, like Norton, come with such a guarantee), all of the options we reviewed here will enhance the protection of your Windows 10 computers beyond what Windows Defender can provide. For example, Bitdefender stops threats from within your web browsers from infecting your computer in the first place, plus it comes with extra tools to secure your passwords, monitor your internet connection and scan for weak points in your system in ways Windows alone can’t.

Other programs, such as McAfee Total Protection, include spam filters designed to monitor your incoming email messages for not only malicious links and downloads, but phishing schemes. This is something Windows Defender can’t do on its own. We also feel most standalone antivirus programs are easier to use than Windows Defender.

Antivirus vs. Internet Security vs. Computer Protection Software

Most internet security companies offer more than one protection solution. These programs often include antivirus, internet security or computer protection in their name. These days the lines between antivirus, internet security programs, and computer protection have been blurred, but there are still some difference between them, even if there is a lot of overlap. Here are the biggest differences between these types of programs.

Antivirus software is very bare boned. Its main function is to stop threats like viruses, ransomware and Trojans from infecting your computer through a malicious download online, an infected file sent via email or uploaded from a thumb drive, or shared through a USB-connected device, like a cellphone. The best antivirus programs, like Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, stop threats before they have a chance to open on your machine, while others wait until the threat is loose before rounding it up and placing it in quarantine. Antivirus software typically comes with just a single user license to protect one computer or mobile device.

Internet security suites build on the basic antivirus platform. Along with malware protection, internet security software also includes other tools that provide additional internet protection. These often include password managers, safe browsing features, safe banking tools and parental controls. They also include a personal firewall that is a good tool for monitoring your internet connection to ensure hackers can’t get into your computer, especially when connected to a public hotspot, and for disconnecting anyone trying to illegally piggyback on your home internet connection. Internet security suites typically come with three or five user licenses so you can protect more than one computer in your home.

Computer protection software typically is a suite, or bundle of multiple security programs, each compatible with a different device or operating system. For example, Kaspersky Total Security includes the internet security solution for Windows computers, its antivirus software for Mac computers, and a mobile program for cellphones and tablets. Every security feature offered by the developer, which often includes VPNs and webcam monitoring, is included in addition to the protections that come with the internet security software. Also, computer protection software comes with multiple user licenses; the best companies offer a minimum of 10 or even unlimited licenses.

How much can I expect to pay for complete computer protection?

Computer protection suites include a wide range of protection tools and multiple-use licenses. and they typically include a mobile security element, so you can expect to pay between $70 and $120 for a good program. Most computer protection software comes with five to 10 user licenses that are compatible with both Windows and Mac computers and laptops as well as cell phones and tablets.

How Does Malware Get Onto Your Computer?

The term "malware" encompasses any type of computer threat, including viruses, Trojans, rootkits, ransomware and hackers. Phishing schemes and spam email messages are also classified as malware, since they put you at risk of identity theft. While there are many ways for your computer to become infected with malware, according to computer security expert Mitch Stephens, the most common way is through email. Too often people click on links in emails that look safe but really send them to forms that collect personal information or pages with malicious downloads. Also, you can accidentally click on a malware file online, or someone may inadvertently share one with you through a USB drive.

The best way to lower the risk of infecting your computer with malware is to learn how to spot fake email. This includes looking closely at the sender’s email address, evaluating if correct grammar and punctuation are used, and avoiding clicking links embedded in messages. The next best defense against online threats is using an antivirus software designed to spot malware in email messages; block malware from downloading; and protect sensitive information with tools like spam filters, VPN, personal firewalls and password managers.

Can viruses steal personal information?

Viruses aren’t able to swipe any personal information on your computer; however, there are other types of malware that do. Trojans are threats that look like a legitimate program, but much like the Trojan Horse in ancient Greek mythology, threats are hidden inside. These threats are used by hackers to sneak into your computer system specifically to steal personal information. This is one reason experts suggest never saving your passwords on your computer unless you encrypt the document. But even then, a hacker can use a Trojan to install a keylogger. Keyloggers capture every keystroke as you make them, even if you don’t save a document or hit the Enter key. It isn’t difficult to capture passwords using this type of program, and having one on your computer will leave you vulnerable.

We recommend using an antivirus program, like Norton 360, that includes a firewall. This tool monitors your internet connection and is a good way to stop Trojans from sneaking in. It also stops these, and other malware files, from downloading from the internet. Other important tools included with Norton Security are an encrypter and a password manager. This means you can encrypt documents and files on your computer without having to buy a separate, standalone program. The password manager hides all your passwords in a way that is difficult for a hacker to break through.

Important Features to Look for When Buying Computer Protection Software

Before we started testing computer protection software, we chatted with Mitchell Stephens, a security consultant with Emagined Security, to get an idea how to best test these programs. Stephens explained that antivirus software is proactive, meaning it is designed to prevent your computer from being infected in the first place. Since most threats come through the internet, that is where we chose to focus our live malware tests.

"Attackers, for the most part, are looking for sensitive information they can use for either financial gain or destructive purposes (i.e., Social Security numbers, bank account information, nonpublic company information)," Stephens said. "The best way to strengthen the overall security is to maintain safe practices online. Keeping your system patches up to date is also good, [and] make sure [you use] good password construction."

The best computer protection software includes tools to help further secure your computer while you are online. For example, a password manager, such as the one included with F-Secure TOTAL, keeps your credentials secure as you log into online accounts. It also helps you create long, complicated passwords you don’t have to remember each time you log in.

Vulnerability scans look for weak spots in your system, such as out-of-date software, and recommend patches or updates. McAfee Total Protection provides a link to these updates so you don’t have to search for them and accidentally click through to a malicious site.

Some computer protection programs, like McAfee Total Protection, include tools that look for phishing schemes and malicious links posted on social media sites. However, other dangers lurk on these sites. Here are some tips for staying safe from hackers and identity thieves on social media:

1. Don't share personal information

Twitter, Instagram and Facebook all ask for your birthdate, full name, email address and phone number to create your account. However, you don’t have to make this information public. In fact, even your friends and family don’t need this information. It’s safer to keep these details private so people can’t swipe them.

2. Use a separate email address for social media

Some sites require you to share personal information – for example, LinkedIn does because it’s a networking site intended to connect you with potential employers or employees. In that case, create a separate email account just for business purposes. Many free email services let you have more than one account at a time. Also, be careful about the work history you post. You don’t have to give exact dates or share addresses for a legitimate company to find you or be impressed.

3. Be careful what you click on

A lot of feel-good stories or to-good-to-be-true deals hide a phishing scheme or malware download. Only click on links you trust are from legitimate sources. If you’re not sure, type the store’s URL into your web browser or do a search for a specific news story. You will see the same information, deals, etc. if it was offered by a legitimate source.

4. Don't post info from your passwords

For example, some people post challenge questionnaires on social media that ask for information about where you went to school, your favorite pet’s name or your nicknames. This information is often used to create passwords and armed with these details, a hacker could break into your online accounts. Other games challenge you to find your alter ego by combining words based on your birthdate. Again, this information can be used to steal your identity, so be careful about participating.

Best internet filter software: protect your family with these website blockers

Mike Jennings — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 16:34:27 +0000

If you have children who use the internet, ensuring their safety while browsing is important. While the internet can be a great source of information and entertainment for kids, it also contains inappropriate content that they should not be exposed to. Fortunately, you can use the best internet filter software to block harmful websites, restrict access to social networks, and prevent downloads of unwanted files.

Some software also allows parents to set screen time limits, view reports on internet usage, and track device locations. Whether your little one browses on the best home computer or the best laptop, the internet filter software we've highlighted in our guide will help protect them.

Once you know what operating system your device uses, you might want to consider which of the best internet security software programs would be best for you. However, if you're solely interested in filtering out inappropriate content for your kids, then the best internet filter software may be all you need.

Top Ten Reviews is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.

The best internet filter software overall

(Image credit: Qustodio)

1. Qustodio

This is the best internet filter software overall, and covers multiple devices

29 filter categories

Includes anti-cyberbullying tools

Records chats

Doesn’t have summary reports

Quite expensive

Qustodio is our top pick for internet filters in part because it is easy to install on both computers and smartphones. It’s also simple to use and has a variety of features that make it a perfect tool for parents to keep their children safe on the internet.

You can access each child’s profile from your phone and adjust their access and time allowances; you don’t have to be at a computer or on the device itself to adjust the settings. Qustodio has 29 filter categories to quickly and easily block websites and content children don’t need to see.

The time management controls enable you to control timeframes for internet access (so your child can’t get online when they are supposed to be asleep or at school), and they also let you control how long kids can stay logged on during allowed times. For example, if your kids are allowed online between 6 pm and 9 pm on school nights, you can set Qustodio to kick them off after an hour or two, controlling overall screen time.

You can also set time limits for each individual application that your child uses. So, if you don't mind them accessing TikTok, but you don't want them wasting hours on it (but you equally want them to continue to be able to access their device), then this is a great way to create balance for your kid.

Qustodio records a lot of details about what your children do online and provides a detailed report. While other programs simply tell you when your child has accessed their email account or chatted with someone through an instant messenger program, Qustodio captures the whole conversation. You can also tag words and phrases, such as "come alone" or “don’t tell your mom,” so if someone sends a message with these phrases, you will know.

(Image credit: Net Nanny)

2. Net Nanny

Great for tracking kids' social media activity, and it's good value too

Cheaper than other programs

Masks profanity

18 filter categories

Social media tools cost extra

Doesn’t have text alerts

Doesn’t restrict chat messages

Net Nanny is one of the cheapest internet filter programs we tested, but it still includes the most important protection tools to block dangerous content online.

There are 18 filter categories to help you quickly restrict access to websites about pornography, drugs and alcohol, suicide, and gore. The program sends an email alert if your child enables a proxy or privacy server to hide their internet searches.

One of the most unique features of Net Nanny is the profanity blocker that masks swear words on websites so your child can’t see or read them. It also prevents children from typing these words into search fields and chat messages. You can set it to change the funny words or symbols as they’re typed, or the program can completely erase the word. Net Nanny sends a notice through the parent reports when profanity is typed or blocked from being seen.

Net Nanny includes time controls to block kids from the internet when they should be asleep, at school, doing homework or chores. Because you can set up an account for each child, older children can be given longer time limits for school projects, online games, or streaming videos. The biggest drawback of Net Nanny is that some important tools, such as social media monitoring, chat message capturing, and text notifications for parents, require you to purchase a separate program that works alongside the Net Nanny internet filter program.

The best internet filter software with a free package

(Image credit: OpenDNS)

3. OpenDNS

This option offers a free package and can improve internet speed

Free options

Email Support

Can speed up your internet

The free package does not protect against malware

A lot of features require payment

As far as free options go, OpenDNS is a reliable choice for people who want to save money on internet filter software.

What the users say…

OpenDNS has an average rating of 4.2 on Trustpilot with a total of six reviews. Positive reviews mention an "exceptional range of services" that are based on "what would appear to be a highly reliable global infrastructure."

You have the option to pay to unlock even more features, but the free plan offers adequate protection to help keep your family safe online.

OpenDNS enables you to filter what your children can see by 50 categories spanning across seven million potentially malicious domains, enabling you to thoroughly control what your children can and can't access when browsing the internet at home.

In addition to its free plan, Open DNS offers a range of paid options that will give you access to even more tools to help protect you and your loved ones from internet dangers. These can include phishing scams, identity theft, and various pieces of malware.

The "VIP Home" option enables you to keep track of your internet statistics for up to a year, giving you an accurate and frequent supply of information regarding your family's internet usage. Additionally, the VIP Home plan enables you to whitelist specific sites that may be wrongly filtered under the wrong category, giving you the ability to access them if they were blocked by mistake.

OpenDNS also offers an extensive setup guide for multiple devices, meaning that you can easily set it up on anything from a home router to your child's smartphone. The guide is thorough and easy to follow for people with limited knowledge of technology, making it accessible to everybody who wishes to set it up on their home devices.

The major downside with OpenDNS is that a lot of the most important features are locked behind a paywall, meaning that some of the other options may be more tempting when it comes to aspects such as phishing and identity protection.

The best internet filter for safeguarding your child's cell phone use

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

4. Surfie

Best internet filter for safeguarding your child's cell phone use

Works on both Android and iOS mobile devices

Word and phrase monitoring

Monitors social media activity

No screenshots

No direct customer support

Surfie is compatible with both Android and iOS cellphones and tablets, plus it has a Windows computer version. All versions let you filter and block web content you don’t want your children exposed to.

It comes with 18 filter categories that make it easy to block related websites under each category, including pornography, violence, and online gaming. But you can also whitelist sites that you are okay with your child visiting, even if they fall under a filter category, or blacklist specific pages that don’t fall under a watched group. On top of web filters, Surfie lets you control when your child has internet access and how long they can be online, even on cell phones.

One of the best features of Surfie is its keyword monitor that alerts you if someone sends your child a test, email, or instant message with words or phrases that tend to be red flags. These include several programmed phrases such as “Don’t tell,” “Are you home alone?” and “Give me your phone number.” But you can also add your own keywords, and Surfie will shut down the program your child is using and internet access when one of them is used. It also works in reverse to monitor what your child sends, prohibiting them from using your tagged keyword and from sharing personal information online. All emails, instant messages, and text transcripts are recorded for you to read.

The best internet filter software for virus protection

(Image credit: AVG)

5. AVG Ultimate

AVG Ultimate offers virus protection and internet filters

Will automatically block harmful pop-ups

Scans every download for malware

Good price

Websites have to be manually blocked

Can not block websites by category

Lacks child safety features

AVG Ultimate is an all-in-one antivirus, tune-up, anti-tracker, and internet filter that can be used across multiple devices.

What the users say…

AVG Internet Security Ultimate has an average global rating of 3.8 out of 5 on Amazon, with over 280 reviews. Positive reviews call it an "excellent, non-intrusive anti-malware product." However, negative reviews say that the software slows down their Mac computer.

We tested AVG Ultimate ourselves, but our final review is still in progress. We found that the antivirus and anti-tracker elements to be great tools, as they will intercept and block any potentially harmful cookies or malware before they get a chance to gather any information from your PC.

AVG will also scan every download and installation so that your devices are safe from any unwanted software or viruses, stopping them before they have a chance to infect your device. In addition to the preventative measures, AVG will automatically do regular virus scans on your device.

AVG Ultimate does have an internet filter, but it's not as novice-friendly as the others on the list. If you are a tech-savvy individual, AVG's internet filter offers uncapped potential when it comes to blocking websites, as the sites have to be added manually rather than by category.

To the experienced tech user, this could be seen as a positive, as it offers uncapped filtering potential. However, for those who are less experienced, it can be tough to block large amounts of websites in a time-efficient manner. This is the main downside that we found while testing the product.

During our testing process, we found AVG to be a great all-around set of internet security tools, but there are better products out there for those specifically looking for the best internet filter software.

The best internet filter software for Mac users

(Image credit: Contentbarrier )

6. ContentBarrier

This is the website blocker for protecting children who use a Mac

Includes 23 filter categories

Optimized for Mac

Doesn’t work on mobile devices

For Mac computers we highly recommend ContentBarrier by Intego.

What the users say…

Intego has an average rating of 4.8 on Trustpilot with over 4,900 reviews. Positive reviews mention great experiences with customer service, with one user saying, "They always respond with courtesy, professionalism, and confidence." However, some users have reported difficulty with the app, preventing legitimate downloads from the App Store.

This internet filtering software is specifically designed for Mac computers and includes preset filter categories that make it easier to block harmful content.

You can add specific websites you want to block to the blacklist, or you can add a site blocked by the preset filters to the ContentBarrier whitelist if you feel it’s OK for your child to visit. ContentBarrier X9 also has time controls so you can ensure your kids are focused on homework, chores, or bedtime instead of playing online. If you don't fancy manually blocking multiple websites, you can flip it around and use a whitelist functionality instead, which will only allow users to access the websites that you've okayed.

You can create separate accounts for each of your children with one program and set different filters for each depending on their age and maturity. It is also only compatible with Mac desktops and won’t work on iPhones, iPads, or other Apple mobile devices.

ContentBarrier also has an Anti-Predator chat monitoring feature that watches for objectionable chat content and blocks anything that it deems to be inappropriate. You can also set up this feature so that you receive email alerts whenever this happens. In fact, you can also receive an email activity report for websites that were blocked, keyword triggering and attempts to access encrypted sites as well.

ContentBarrier can also take screenshots of your child's activity and includes a Time Machine-like control that means that you can easily view recorded screens.

How to choose the best internet filter software for you

Every internet filtering app will have a range of pre-set blocklists that stop your children from accessing inappropriate content. They tend to cover a wide range of topics, but the best apps will have a broader range of pre-set lists – they’ll cover everything, from sexual and violent material to gambling and shopping sites. It’s also worth seeking out an app that supports custom blocklists if you’d like a little more control.

Most parental control apps have scheduling tools that can restrict how much time your kids spend online, and you’ll usually be able to set different rules for different days – so you can be stricter in the week, for instance, and more lenient at weekends.

Apps often have features that allow parents to monitor their kids’ search history and supervise what apps they’re using. Plenty of internet filtering tools watch social media apps to check that kids’ posts and conversations aren’t problematic. Those social media options are critical given how important those apps are to children and teenagers, but we’d always recommend that you check which apps are supported by each software package – it’s no good shelling out for a filtering tool if it doesn’t cover the apps that your kids love to use.

It’s worth seeking out a filtering tool that has a dashboard and regular reporting so you can easily see summaries of your kids’ online activity. If you want to check on your kids in the real world, you can also find software that uses GPS tracking.

There are plenty of areas where apps offer a more diverse range of features. Some filtering and security tools can restrict device access, track calls, and instant messages, and check what videos your kids are viewing.

Internet filter software FAQs

How much does internet filter software cost?

As usual, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to internet filter software pricing – ideal if you’re on a budget.

Some packages cost as little as $15 for a year’s worth of product access, which is a small price to pay if you want to keep your kids safer on the internet. Most of the time, though, expect to pay at least $40 for annual access to the best website filtering tools – and expect that figure to rise if you want to monitor a larger number of devices.

If you already subscribe to a broader internet security package, though, we’d recommend you investigate its features before you subscribe to a third-party filtering tool. Loads of internet security packages already include parental control features and filtering tools. While they don’t supply the in-depth options that you’ll find in specialist products, they could still get the job done for your family without any extra cost.

What is the most secure web browser in 2026?

Lloyd Coombes — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 16:41:09 +0000

Find the most secure web browsers could be considered an essential part of modern computing, but they aren’t all created equal. Some are faster than others, some offer plenty of additional features, while others are focused on your privacy – both in terms of keeping your private information locked down, and preventing unauthorized access.

There are a few of the best web browsers with a focus on privacy, but many still offer a variety of options that can make it tricky to pick the one for you. Here are our picks for the most secure web browser

Which is the most secure web browser?

The most secure web browsers are focused on online safety and minimizing data collected on you. That data is used to build a profile of you that helps inform the adverts and content you see.

That means there’s a gap in the market for a browser that helps you stay safe online while also ensuring advertising companies don’t know as much about you, and there are plenty of options to do just that.

Brave Browser

• Doesn't sacrifice speed for privacy
• Rewards program
• Lacking in extension support

Brave’s tagline is that it offers “the best privacy online”, and it’s hard to argue. For most people, it’s likely to be the de-facto option thanks to its sheer speed.

As you’d expect from a privacy-focused browse, though, it’s also great at blocking all ads. In fact, it blocks every ad by default and has some smart built-in features like a customizable news feed and video calls.

Sadly, if you’ve come to lean heavily on browser extensions, you won’t find them here, but the platform does offer a rewards program that lets you redeem your browsing time against gift cards and more.

(Image credit: Getty)

Tor

• 'Onion routing' creates layers of connections
• Maintains anonymity
• Slower performance

Often cited as a pillar of anonymity, Tor has somewhat of a reputation for being the browser you use when you don’t want to be seen – for better and for worse.

Still, Tor is run by a nonprofit group as opposed to a company selling your data for ads, and isolates each site so nothing can track your moves from one webpage to the next.

It uses a technique called “onion routing” to allow for traffic to be encrypted multiple times and passed through volunteer-run servers. This is a boon for remaining anonymous, but it can lead to slower performance.

Mozilla Firefox

• Extension support
• Great anti-tracker capabilities
• Not as fast as others

Firefox has long been an excellent browser, and that’s still the case in 2022. It offers a variety of extensions, called add-ons, to allow users to install additional tools, while also removing over 2000 trackers.

It’ll let you know when your data is compromised through breach reports, and even offers a built-in VPN (that you’ll have to pay extra for).

Firefox can be a little bit of a RAM hog on desktop, though, but it is nice and customizable, and stores your passwords locally.

Iridium Browser

• Looks great
• Built-in ad blocker
• Built on the same framework as Chrome

Iridium Browser is open-source, meaning you can see exactly what’s been changed at any point. The focus is on privacy, of course, but it’s actually built off of Chromium – the same thing that Google Chrome started from.

The difference is that there’s a built-in ad blocker, and while the developer notes it does “call home to Google”, it’s always looking to tweak things to keep your activity private.

That Chromium base is a blessing, too, because it means Iridium is snappy to use and you can pick it up without having to re-learn anything you know from Google Chrome.

What is the most secure web browser?

In truth, all of the above are more secure than the likes of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, but Tor offers arguably the most comprehensive suite of anonymity-first features.

Still, for a browser that’s doesn’t compromise on speed or utility, Brave is a great choice, while those that use a wealth of add-ons or extensions will likely lean the way of Mozilla Firefox or Iridium.

Discover more guides for tech at home…

Best TVs
Best Blu-ray players
Best DVD players
Best cordless phones

Best internet security software: Protect your online devices

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:16:20 +0000

The very best internet security software could be the barrier between you and the deepest darkest depths of the internet finding their way into your life. Yes, life, not just device – as the two are so very closely enmeshed nowadays, making this software more valuable than ever before.

But how do you know which is best when it's difficult to even keep up with all the threats? One of the best places to start building a more robust defence system is with antivirus software. While that's a great way to fight viruses and malware, it's also worth considering tools like VPNs, password managers, banking protection and more.

Quite often you will find that when you pick a service it will come with a selection of package deals, so you may be best served going for your antivirus along with other protection tools, all from one provider. Or you may want to mix them up for the best of each, regardless of price.

From browsing the internet and online shopping to downloading files and banking digitally – there are lots of ways to be exposed both financially and in terms of personal privacy when you go online. As such it's worth considering tools that not only protect your devices – yup, smartphones as well as computers – but also protect your digital identity. Have that stolen and you can lose a lot and end up paying for it long after the fact.

So make sure you have the right protection even if you do own one of the best smartphones, best tablets, best laptops or best home computers – nothing is immune.

Some big names to look out for include the likes of Norton, McAfee and Bitdefender – but there are plenty of other options all varying in services and pricing. We've picked out a selection of nothing but the best options out there so whichever sounds like it's right for you, know that's it's been selected for quality over all others.

Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender Total Security has all the tools in Bitdefender’s basic internet security suite, including a password manager and parental controls. It even includes secure online storage for important files, so you can always be sure that your most crucial documents are in safe hands. View Deal

The right software isn’t just powerful, either – it’s versatile, too. Big-name products from companies like Bitdefender, Norton and McAfee are sold in different tiers. That means you can get the protection you need without paying over-the-odds for modules that you just won’t use – or, if you need a more robust solution, you can buy a premium product with additional features.

There are loads of great internet security software packages around, but so much choice can be confusing. We’ve done the hard yards so you don’t have to, though, by rounding up the top nine options and exploring their pros and cons – all you’ve got to do is pick the best product and get downloading. And for extra security, consider investing in the best antivirus software too.

Internet Security Software Explainer

Malware
Malware is a shortened name for malicious software. It’s an overarching term used to describe computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, adware, spyware and any other form of software that can harm your devices or steal your data.

Firewall
Firewalls are network security programs designed to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic on your devices, and to block malicious and unauthorized traffic. Most computers come with a built-in firewall these days, but the best internet security software will come with its own more powerful firewall.

VPN
VPN is an abbreviation for virtual private network. Using a VPN, you can encrypt your network signal and bounce it off a server anywhere in the world. This means that websites and other software can’t tell where your actual location is. This stops advertisers from targeting you with specific ads, but also stops hackers from getting into your network. You can also use a VPN to access region-locked content.

Best internet security software

1. Bitdefender Total Security: Best internet security overall

(Image credit: Bitdefender)

Bitdefender

Bitdefender offers total online protection

Excellent malware detection

Tons of options

Includes a VPN

Some packages offer poor value compared to others

The Bitdefender name is now synonymous with internet security, and powerful protection at that.

What the users say

Bitdefender has a Trustpilot score of 3.8 stars out of five with 69% of those reviews at the five star mark. One five star review said: "I have used several antivirus products over time and, for the past 3 years, Bitdefender. Product is reliable and very much "load and forget", (unless there is a security problem). Good to know it's there, in the background, quietly protecting devices." One negative review reads: "No matter how many times I have asked support, they can never fix their overzealous AV protection which blocks connections to all wifi outside of home, no matter how many exceptions I raise."

The company has built its reputation year after year by continuing to score highly in all the scores that matter when it comes to keeping you and your devices safe online. As such Bitdefender Total Security is a top pick and an ideal place to start for anyone new to internet security as well as a worthy upgrade for those more seasoned users.

There are several packages available meaning there should be something to suit most needs with a varying price structure that can help with budget ranges too. The basic plan – although the comprehensive tool list is anything but basic – is simply called Bitdefender Internet Security. This gets you sterling security but will be for your PC only and should you want wider device coverage you'll need to go up a plan level.

Protection offered, even at the most basic level, keeps you safe from malware, spyware, viruses and ransomware. You also have a firewall on top of all that to keep any of those nasties out of your machine from the outset.

As mentioned previously this scored well in testing, both with AV Test and AV Comparatives, where the experts are solely focused on how internet security software performs. In recent testing Bitdefender blocked nearly all viruses and malware that were fired at it.

Extra features include parental controls and a VPN for geo-restriction evasion. There's plenty more besides but it's worth weighing up budget with what you think you'll need – although you can rarely have too much security.

2. Norton 360: Best premium security

(Image credit: Norton)

Norton 360

The best pick for premium protection, making it ideal for businesses

Range of tiers for all needs

Excellent antivirus and malware protection

Easy to use

Multi-device coverage locked in more expensive tiers

Norton has been a huge name in the world of internet security pretty much since it all began.

What the users say

Norton 360 has a Trustpilot user review score of 4 out of five stars with 50% at the five star mark. One positive review says: "Norton is THE best antivirus protection you can have, besides protecting your devices they also have the best customer support." A negative review read: "I stopped using the VPN in favor of another as Norton blocks even internet connectivity quite often (on multiple computers) and I'm one renewal away from making the jump to Malwarebytes as my only security software."

While that could mean sitting on its laurels, this brand has done anything but and is still leading the way when it comes to tackling the ever evolving threats that the internet houses. Norton 360 is the package which covers nearly all needs with varying levels of protection to suit each person's requirements.

At the base there is the Norton 360 Standard plan which, despite that name, offers more than enough security for most needs. Primarily you have the Norton Antivirus system which will keep infections off your machine. This will also work at fighting malware, spyware and ransomware which all threaten your digital identity and, as such, your finances.

This level also throws in a firewall which should mean hackers are kept at bay along with anyone else trying to access your device without permission. Unlike some other providers, Norton also throws in a VPN at this level which means you can hide your location or appear to be somewhere you are not - ideal for accessing your content when away from home.

Spend a bit more and the tiers increase the number of features to offer identity theft protection and financial coverage if you do succumb to identity fraud. At the top-end you even have coverage for unlimited devices and get 401k monitoring so your retirement is safe too.

All that and the performance of this software is tip-top, with expert testing finding this is able to block 100% of attacks – giving real peace of mind.

3. Kaspersky Internet Security: Best malware protection

(Image credit: Kaspersky)

Kaspersky 2020

Kaspersky doesn't put a foot wrong, surpassing our already high expectations

Flawless antivirus protection

Flexible price options

Good range of extra features

Parental controls locked to premium option

Kaspersky has gone from strength to strength in recent years and has firmly established itself as the name when it comes to blocking malware.

What the users say

Kaspersky has a rating of 4.2 out of five stars on Trustpilot with 63% of those reviews being five stars. One positive review reads: "Excellent AV for my business and personal devices and from a trustworthy company." A negative review said: "Now it it is so awkward to renew, you can put an activation code in but nothing happens. You have to completely uninstall your old system and then download your new system."

While the other offerings on this list do offer impressive protection, it is Kaspersky that has a perfect track record, blocking 100% of malicious software under the expert testing of AV Test and AV Comparatives.

Like the other brands in this guide Kaspersky does break up its offerings into tiers which are priced at varying levels so as to suit the needs of most people, without breaking the bank.

Start at the base level and you will find the price of Kaspersky Internet Security very competitive even before you look into what that includes. Dig a little deeper and you'll see that gets you the company's flawless antivirus software to keep viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware totally at bay. You also get a firewall to keep out any threats that might try to hijack your device. Plus there is a VPN thrown in so you can spoof your location to keep hidden and add extra security when on public WiFi or abroad, for example.

But that's not all, this basic plan also gives you an ad blocker which means your internet browsing can be a far more minimalist experience without distractions to slow you down. It also means no more pop-ups or auto playing videos, which could save you on data when using your smartphone.

The top end package is Kaspersky Total Security which offers more premium features including parental controls – but thankfully even this level is reasonably priced comparatively.

4. Avast Premium Security: Best for casual use

(Image credit: Avast)

Avast Premium Security

Avast's free offerings are second to none, but it struggles to justify the costs

Great antivirus capabilities

Decent range of extras

Heavy performance impact

Better offerings elsewhere

Avast may sounds like a pirate cry, and leave you feeling that a jokey start for something as serious as security isn't ideal.

What the users say

Avast gets a 3.9 out of five star rating over on Trustpilot where there is a 63% five star rating weighting. One positive review said: "I downloaded Avast Free, ran it, cleaned up all the unnecessary stuff and my computer is like new now! I'm so happy! Thank you." A negative review said: "The software is (like most antivirus software) little more than an ad-bot that sits around taking up resources and harassing you to buy product."

But in reality this company is able to joke as it is so secure in the knowledge that it offers premium and powerful protection against all the threats the interwebs can muster.

Unlike many other services Avast Premium Security also offers a free protection plan which is frankly the best free internet security system out there right now. That said, the premium paid for version, Avast Premium Security, isn't quite as impressive as the others higher up in this list.

Go for the free package and you get yourself a very capable antivirus software system which will battle any viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware that may attack. There's also a firewall as part of that offering to keep snoopers from getting into your device in any way. Rather uniquely this also offers a helpful sandbox feature which allows you to wall-off any area of your machine to open potentially threatening software without it being able to attack the rest of your device.

For anything else you'll need to upgrade to the paid-for plan. Go for the Avast Ultimate package and you're going to have a lot more powerful features at your fingertips. That includes a helpful VPN to mask your location, a password manager to keep you secure net-wide, webcam protection and a helpful file shredder.

Should you want parental protections you will be left wanting, which isn't great when you're paying for these features.

5. McAfee Total Protection: Best for technophobes

(Image credit: McAfee)

McAfee Total Protection 2020

McAfee's single program solution is great, but it falls short of its rivals

Single program eliminates confusion over product features

Great antivirus performance

Good range of extra features

Outdone by the competition

McAfee is not only a big name in internet security but it's also one that aims to distill all its years of experience and prowess into a single offering.

What the users say

McAfee rates poorly on Trustpilot with just a 1.3 star rating out of five. 84% of reviews are a one star rating. One positive review said: "Contacted support with a tech issue, their agent Hari was very polite, competent, and did a great job helping me out. you're a star!" A negative review read: "Be careful! Mcafee is very convenient to sign up for a subscription.. but if you want to stop it after the year subscription, the page does not load! I've lost quite a bit of money."

As such the McAfee Total Protection is a one-stop-shop solution that does it all – for more people – without overcomplicating it with different tier options.

That isn't to say this is totally fixed, as there is a variation in price based on the number of devices you want covered. But it's one system that applies to all, making this a super simple security pick for anyone new to this world or those that just want it easy.

Primarily this security protection is well tested and performs respectably. When it comes to antivirus and malware protection, McAfee was able to block a massive 97%. It's not perfect, like some of its rivals, but it's still impressive.

So this will keep you safe from malware, spyware, ransomware and viruses. And it will do all that with a simple solution. But if you want more then you may find the payment system frustrating. There is an option to get a VPN, to spoof your location, and also identity theft protection to keep you financially safe online. But to get access to those features you'll need to be paying for your software with an auto-renewal payment setup. Not everyone wants that level of commitment.

So if a simple one-stop-shop solution is what you need then this is a great pick but if you want a little more then it might be worth taking the time to consider the plans of other offerings.

6. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE: Best for ease of use

(Image credit: Future)

F-Secure Antivirus SAFE

A simple to use solution

Very easy to use

Great value for money

Some issues with false positives

The F-Secure Antivirus SAFE software is the powerful yet simple to use antivirus protection program from a brand that is well known and respected. F-Secure has been around for many years where it has consistently done well in fighting threats online and protecting personal data.

What the users say

The F-Secure Antivirus SAFE system is reviewed on Amazon with a 4.4 star rating out of five. That has 63% of reviews at the five star mark. One positive review reads: "Works quietly and efficiently in the background." A negative review says: "The price is too high when you look not only at the prices of superior competing products."

The antivirus software at the centre of this package is very much the star of the show as it is very powerful. That means this will repel viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware as well as phishing schemes and more. For all the features of other offerings this does the core – and arguably most important – work really well and without taking up too much of your system resources.

The package gives you multi-device coverage meaning you can have seamless protection running across your computers but also your mobile devices with iOS and Android specific protection offered here. Usefully this can also be used to help you find any device the software is installed on.

Misplace your smartphone or tablet? Use another device and you'll be able to locate it immediately. Of course this also applies if your smartphone gets stolen, making recovery a genuine possibility – helpful financially but also in terms of your data security.

Since the F-Secure Antivirus SAFE system keeps things simple it's a great choice for older machines that might otherwise struggle with some of the beefier solutions. It also means, on newer and more powerful machines, you're going to get the most energy and time efficient system protection without the bloat some others come with.

7. Trend Micro Antivirus Plus: Best for ransomware cover

(Image credit: Trend Micro)

Trend Micro Antivirus Plus

A very powerful anti malware setup

Superb malware detection

Affordable pricing

Simple usability

Could be resource intensive

Trend Micro, a big name in PC security for years, goes beyond with the aptly named Trend Micro Antivirus Plus.

What the users say

Trend Micro has a 2.4 out of five star rating on Trustpilot with just 23% at the five star mark. One positive review reads: "The first protection I've installed that doesn't bombard me with emails and pop ups trying to scare me into buying MORE extensions that I thought were part of the deal. They do what they say on the tin." A negative review says: "It flags safe programs as harmful, creates large undeletable junk files that at times take up 12 gigabyte and flat out stopped working before the expiration date."

That plus denotes that this is not a minimal product by any means and offers a robust selection of services which is built primarily on excellent malware protection.

If you want to avoid getting spyware, malware or ransomware on your machine – all of which can leverage your personal data against you – then this system is one of the most powerful and comprehensive ways to protect you. You even have anti spam and anti phishing protection meaning you can rest knowing you won't be bombarded by attempts to get into your machine – from any angle.

While this can be a little more resource intensive than other solutions – making it more for newer machines – this does offer broad protection. Plus you get a 30-day free trial so if you're not sure, you can always try before you buy to see how it works on your device.

One feature that stands out is the folder shield. This allows you to put enhanced protection on specific folders on your device, making it ideal for highly sensitive data which you might be responsible for.

There is a browser that is built specifically for fighting intrusions and you can have a booster for your firewall to make sure nobody can get into your device without your permission.

8. VIPRE Advanced Security: Best for minimal strain

(Image credit: TopTenReviews)

VIPRE Advanced Security

A light build that's gentle on resources

Minimal system drag

Great protection

Flexible pricing

Lacks smartphone support

Lower tier doesn't offer extras

VIPRE Advanced Security comes from a company that is rated and used by the US military in some areas, which says a lot right from the outset.

What the users say

VIPRE Advanced Security gets a 4.2 out of five star rating on ConsumerAffairs with lots of five star reviews. One positive review reads: "I have been using VIPRE for so many years I have lost count. When I needed support they were always prompt in their response. VIPRE is not a resource hog like some other programs. Great product. Thank you." A negative review says: "I have used VIPRE for my business for 3+ years. VIPRE recently renewed my membership without permission and have charged me three times the advertised price. I have attempted to call them numerous times with no answer."

It's been around for over 25 years, growing and changing as it has developed. But, despite being a heavyweight in its ability to fight attacks, it treads very lightly on your device.

This is thanks to a minimalist system which won't use lots of your device's resources to get the job done. That makes this a great pick for slower machines or anyone that wants their protection running in the background without their noticing.

Protection is real-time, with the software working to scan programs as they are in use, so that should mean if attacks happen, it can protect you immediately. That said, in testing this didn't score as well as some of the competition when it came to malware protection -- and phishing protection was poor. It's also worth noting that many of the firewall features are disabled by default. That said, the firewall does stealth ports and offers program control in a super easy to use way.

From the AV Test Institute the scores were the highest you can hit, putting this up there with the other big names in digital security. The same can be said for testing at AV Comparatives where, again, the highest score was achieved. So although the malware isn't the best, as mentioned above, this is not to be mistaken for a tool that isn't great as this is still one of the best you can get.

9. Webroot Secureanywhere: Uniquely light system

(Image credit: Webroot Secureanywhere)

Webroot Secureanywhere

Very lightweight in a unique way

Very light on system resources

Extremely fast

Advanced features

No data from top labs

Webroot Secureanywhere comes in low on this list but that isn't to say it's poorer than the others, simply that it is quite different.

What the users say

Over on Trustpilot Webroot Secureanywhere has a 4.2 star rating out of five with a large 65% of that in five star reviews. One good review says: "I have been a Webroot customer for 15 years and still Webroot customer. I will recommend them to anyone. Webroot have an excellent software that protects our computer for any malicious threat." A negative review reads: "I frequently get emails stating that my Webroot subscription is about to expire when it's not, or is a subscription that I don't even have."

In fact this is pretty unique in the way it works. While most protection suites will be downloaded to your device and work as a software on the system to protect you, this offering works in the cloud.

Why would you want to use the cloud when all the others use software on the machine? Because this uses an advanced artificially intelligent brain to do the thinking. So while traditional systems need to quickly spot a threat and stop it before damage can be done to your device, Webroot Secureanywhere works backwards at its own pace.

If a threat is detected the AI brain will assess and make sure it is a problem, once it's decided that it is, everything will simply be rolled back to just before the incursion took place. All that means the strain on your system is minimal with just a 2MB file, compared to 700MB on most others. So that makes this great for older and slower devices.

Since this works uniquely it is also difficult to assess properly. As such the test results are mixed with a few very impressive scores but also some noticeable issues that are worth keeping in mind. But should you be worried, the company is aware of this, since it's relatively new, and offers a peace of mind trial. You can try out Webroot Secureanywhere for a massive 70-days during which time you can get all of your money back whenever you want, guaranteed.

Buying advice for the best internet security software

Why trust us on internet security software?

We’ve researched all the packages on this list to compare their features and pricing. We’ve also analyzed results from several important third-party testing labs, including AV-Comparatives and AV-Test, to see how each application handles a selection of threats and how efficient they are in terms of computing resources.

This approach allows us to see how each application performs over an extended period with a wide variety of threats, and it also means we can see what each package is like in day-to-day use – after all, it’s no good if the software performs well, but it’s got a complicated or awkward interface.

What is the difference between antivirus software and an internet security suite?

A top-quality antivirus package will protect your systems from viruses, malware, trojan horse applications and other similar threats. Many antivirus packages also protect you from ransomware and phishing attempts.

Internet security suites include all those features, but they also provide extra tools that deliver a broader range of benefits. You’ll typically find firewalls, VPNs, parental controls, identity theft prevention and online banking protections in internet security suites.

Internet security suites don’t just come with additional features. They’re usually sold with more licenses, too – you can typically install the software on more devices. That makes a full suite a better choice for families and ideal if you want to protect phones alongside PCs and laptops.

(Image credit: Avast)

One other difference between basic antivirus software and internet security suites is the number of user licenses you get. Most antivirus solutions come with a single license to protect one computer. Internet security suites, however, usually come with at least three licenses, and are sometimes compatible with mobile phones and tablets so you can protect multiple web-enabled devices at once.

What should internet security software come with?

Internet security is a multifaceted system which should come with several tools in order to give you the full protection that is needed online. That said, the core of most systems is the most important part and if all others were forsaken this would still do a good job of keeping you safe. That is the antivirus software.

A decent antivirus program will protect you from viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware and in some cases phishing attacks too. By keeping these threats at bay -- at least spotting them if they get in -- the system is able to ensure further infection to your device is stopped. That, in turn means keeping your personal details, and finances, safe.

But it is also worth thinking about other powerful tools like a firewall -- although many machines already have these built in. But a strong one can mean a layer to keep threats at bay and ensure individuals can't get into your data.

(Image credit: Future)

A VPN is also worth considering as this will mask your IP address by running it through another server somewhere else in the world. That means keeping you private and hidden, ideal for security and worth using if on unsecured WiFi like at a coffee shop or airport. But it also means you can access content that might otherwise block you with geo restrictions. Want to get your local shows while abroad? You can appear at home by using your VPN and still get them. This can also be great for banking.

Password managers are also very helpful tools as these can generate strong passwords for you to use and save them for you. This means you have different passwords for everything you use, increasing the security should one be compromised -- keeping everything else out of reach.

Parental controls can work well for anyone that wants to limit their kids' access to certain websites that may be potentially threatening. But these are also helpful for seeing what your kid is up to -- ideal for tackling potential cyberbullying.

How much does an internet security program cost?

Internet security packages offer more functionality than antivirus software, so they do typically cost more. If you want a year’s worth of protection from one of the big names then you should budget for at least $40 or $50, and some of the top packages cost twice as much.

There’s plenty of wiggle room here too, though. You’ll often find discounts available for new users, and prices become more cost-effective if you purchase a multi-year deal. Conversely, packages with more features or with licenses for extra devices cost extra.

Happily, big companies do tend to make it easy to compare products and features, so you can see what’s available in each product. That makes it simpler for users to find out what they need – so they can avoid paying over-the-odds for protective software.

Best antivirus software: Stay safe online with premium and free software

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:00:51 +0000

The best antivirus software is important to stop any viruses or other threats from infecting your PC. A lot of people use their computers to handle finances, medical records or other sensitive things so it is more important than ever to be protected. Some viruses can steal your passwords and personal information - this can lead to financial loss, and can slow down your PC or stop it from working altogether.

With the best antivirus software, you don't have to worry about the best home computers becoming infected. They can also be used to protect the best smartphones and the best tablets, with some even offering plans that can cover multiple devices so that you can keep the best laptops protected too.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the best antivirus software right now. It delivers watertight security, has excellent extra features, and it's very easy to use. With the basic antivirus package, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus you get protection against viruses, spyware and ransomware. It's extremely good value for money, too!View Deal

A good quality antivirus will protect a number of devices, whether it's your personal computer or your smartphone. Company's are often monitoring and logging the most recent threats so that any new viruses can be stopped in their tracks before they have a chance to infect your device - much like physical viruses, computer viruses are constantly evolving and changing, with new threats emerging every day.

Some of the best antivirus software utilize AI (artificial intelligence) to monitor your PC and react almost instantly to any unusual changes. Once it is installed on your device you can browse the web without worrying about your personal information being leaked.

The majority of antivirus tools are available as an annual or monthly subscription, with many of them offering different tiers to cover different needs, budgets and devices. This means if you only need to cover one device, you have the option to save money by going for a more basic package without sacrificing any security. If you don't want to spend any money, then there are some free options that can offer a decent level of protection.

You might also want to consider the best internet security software for more all-around protection. These will offer antivirus software while also including VPNs, firewalls and password management/encryption.

Antivirus software explainer

Malware
Malware is short for malicious software, and it's a catch-all term to cover various types of threats that your device faces, including viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, adware etc.

Firewall
A firewall is a network security device on your computer that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, and blocks unauthorized or dangerous traffic. Windows and Mac computers have built-in firewalls, but many antivirus programs come with their own firewall program too.

VPN
VPN stands for virtual private network. These programs offer you a way to stay anonymous online, by encrypting your network signal and bouncing it off another server. This prevents websites from knowing where you are. They can also be used to access content that is region-locked. Some antivirus and internet security programs come with VPN access included.

Best antivirus software

(Image credit: Bitdefender)

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

The best antivirus software overall

Operating system: Windows, Mac | Maximum devices covered: 10 | Stand out features: VPN, Safe Files, File Shredder, Password Manager

Excellent protection

East to use

Plenty of extras

Mac antivirus gets fewer extras

It was definitely close but we believe BitDefender is the best antivirus software on the market. With the basic antivirus package, BitDefender Antivirus Plus, you get protection against many different types of viruses, including spyware, ransomware, trojans, worms and any new threats that may emerge. You can get plans for home use or for your business so that you can keep your family and company files safe. If you need antivirus for your business, BitDefender also offer a number of other cyber security features which can help to keep you and your employees safe - they can even help to keep Microsoft Office documents and Google Cloud safe and secure.

What users say...

BitDefender has a number of positive user reviews on Best Buy with an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Users praise its ability to give great overall protection to devices, with viruses being blocked and eliminated before they have a chance to infect your laptop or computer. The small number of negative reviews are surrounding complications with buying through a third-party retailer, with people dissatisfied that they have to go to Best Buy for customer support rather than BitDefender themselves.

BitDefender has been tried and tested and blocked between 99.5% and 100% of malware attacks set against it when tested by white hat industry experts - they have the testing to back up their claims.

The software also includes a VPN alongside its impressive antivirus software. VPNs are a great way to browse the internet anonymously so that you can't be tracked by corporations, your ISP, or individuals with malicious intentions. Paired with good antivirus software, VPNs will allow you to browse the internet with complete confidence.

BitDefender has a Safe Files feature which will encrypt and safeguard important files further so that they are extra safe in the rare case when something damaging slips through the cracks. Costs start at $19.99 for the first year of cover, which is really a great price when you consider the features and protection that you get.

Read the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus review.

(Image credit: Norton)

2. Norton 360 Antivirus Plus

The best antivirus for performance

Operating system: Windows, Mac | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Cloud storage, password manager, online threat protection.

Great antivirus protection

Variety of tiers

Easy to use

Multi-device coverage limited to higher tiers.

Coming in a close second on our list, Norton 360 Antivirus Plus only misses the top spot by a hair. You get a highly effective, highly protective antivirus software suite that protects you against a multitude of virus types, including ransomware, spyware, trojans, worms and file infectors. Much like BitDefender, Norton backs up their claims with excellent results in industry tests from AVTest and AV-Comparatives where Norton 360 scored perfect marks in the most recent round of testing, with almost every single infection being stopped in its tracks and eliminated effectively.

What users say...

Norton 360 Antivirus Plus has a number of positive reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4/5 stars. Users praise how easy it is to install, with even the least tech-savvy users having no problem setting it up on their devices. Some of the negative reviews are dissatisfied with the subscription renewal system, as it can cost more after the current subscription expires.

Norton 360 Antivirus Plus also includes a password manager and 2GB of online cloud storage, which you can utilize to store your most sensitive and vulnerable files that could otherwise be corrupted or stolen if your home computer is infected or compromised.

Norton 360 Antivirus Plus offers protection for Windows PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets. Some of the more expensive subscriptions allow you to protect multiple devices at once, with the most expensive option offering protection on 10 devices simultaneously.

The PC cloud backup varies in size from 2GB to 100GB depending on the subscription that you choose, but we would not recommend buying a more expensive option purely for the cloud storage as there are a number of free options such as Google Drive and Dropbox which do the same thing without costing any extra money. Subscriptions that offer multiple device protection also feature parental controls and school timers, so that you can keep your children safe from inappropriate content.

Read the Norton 360 Antivirus Plus review

(Image credit: AVG)

3. AVG Ultimate

A great all-rounder

Will automatically block harmful pop-ups

Scans every download for malware

Good price

Websites have to be manually blocked

Automatic scans can slow down PC

Lacks child safety features

AVG Ultimate is an all-in-one antivirus, tune-up, anti-tracker and internet filter that can be used across multiple devices. When we tested AVG Ultimate, we found that the antivirus and anti-tracker elements to be great tools, as they will intercept and block any potentially harmful cookies or malware before they get a chance to gather any information from your PC.

What users say...

AVG Ultimate has very favorable reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Users praise its ability to stop threats before they have a chance to infect your PC and will catch any that slip through the cracks with thorough virus scans. The small number of negative reviews appear to mainly be from people who had trouble setting up the software, which is an issue that can be easily avoided by watching a tutorial or following a guide.

To the experienced tech user, this could be seen as a positive, as it offers uncapped filtering potential. However, for those that are less experienced, it can be tough to block large amounts of websites in a time-efficient manner. This is the main downside that we found while testing the product.

During our testing process, we found AVG to be a great all-around set of internet security tools, and an ideal choice if you want a thorough anti-virus.

(Image credit: Avast)

4. Avast Free Antivirus

The best free anitvirus

Operating system: Windows, Mac | Maximum devices covered: No limit | Stand out features: Free, password manager.

Free

Great antivirus performance

Slows your computer down

What would you say if we told you that one of the best antivirus softwares on the market costs absolutely nothing? Nada, zilch, bupkis. Well it’s true, because Avast Free Antivirus is, as the name suggests, completely free. There are no hidden fees or delayed costs. It’s just free.

But surely it can’t be as good as the other antivirus programs out there, right? Wrong. Avast Free Antivirus offers you the same levels of protection as many of the other big names in the field, covering your devices from attacks by viruses, spyware and various other forms of malware. It performs excellently too, blocking between 99.7 and 100% of attacks levied at it by experts during their latest rounds of testing.

The downside is that it doesn’t run as efficiently as some premium antivirus software, so you may experience noticeable slowdown on your computer, especially if you’re using an older device. A small price to pay, when you’re not paying any price at all though.

Read the Avast Free Antivirus review

(Image credit: McAfee)

5. McAfee Total Protection

The best antivirus for technology beginners

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Maximum devices covered: 10 | Standout features: VPN, Identify theft protection, password manager, firewall.

One size fits all

Extensive feature set

No standalone antivirus

Better options out there

While other companies have tiered their offerings, McAfee only offers a single antivirus solution called McAfee Total Protection. This is more of a full blown internet security software in truth, but it does include antivirus protection so we’d be remiss not to mention it here.

When it comes to antivirus protection, McAfee has been one of the big names for years now and it still offers a great product, though some of the competition might have started to pull away. The antivirus stood up to between 97.8 and 98.4 % of attacks in the most recent round of expert tests, which is excellent, but falls short of some of the other antivirus programs on our list.

You get a ton of other features rolled into the package, including a firewall, password manager, file shredder, and a secure VPN. But these aren’t freebies or extras, they’re part of the security package that you’re paying for. Pieces start at $29.99 for single device coverage for a year. That’s not bad, but if you just need an antivirus program you can get more devices covered for cheaper elsewhere.

Read the McAfee Total Protection review

(Image credit: F-Secure )

6. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE

The easiest antivirus software to use

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Maximum devices covered: 3 | Stand out features: Browsing and banking protection, Family Rules, ransomware protection

Very easy to use

Great value

Some issues with false positives

F-Secure Antivirus SAFE is quite the serious piece of antivirus software. It comes with fantastic additional features to keep your system secure, such as banking protection for safe online shopping, and safety tools to protect your entire family, including time limits and content blocking. This protection extends beyond your desktop computer, too, with a device finder that can help you track down a lost Android or iOS device - and remotely lock or wipe it too, to keep data safe.

F-Secure Antivirus SAFE delivers premium antivirus protection, receiving high marks after testing by major labs, including AV-test. It’s worth pointing out that some noted more false positives were generated than other antivirus software packages, but whether that affects you will depend on how you use your computer.

We like that this antivirus software program runs lightly - making it ideal for an older system. Another pro is the clean, easy-to-use interface. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE is an impressive package, and well-deserving of a place in our best antivirus software guide.

Read the F-Secure SAFE review.

(Image credit: TopTenReviews)

7. Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

The best antivirus for ransomware protection

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Ransomware protection, advanced AI learning, email scam safeguarding, Pay Guard

Excellent malware detection

Affordable

Simple to use

Could be resource intensive

Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security delivers highly effective protection. The antivirus software scores particularly well for anti spam, and comes with an effective ‘Folder Shield’ module to block ransomware. It has a reputation for being easy to use too.

Although the best testing labs agree that its protection is very good, there’s some inconsistency to the details. AV-Comparatives, for example, reports a comparatively high number of false positives; while AV-Test found very high accuracy and no issues with false positives. One issue some agree on though is that Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security may be more resource intensive than others, making this antivirus software better suited to newer, more powerful systems.

We didn’t notice any performance problems, however. We found protection levels to be similar to Bitdefender, false positives were only marginally higher, and it didn’t slow down our system noticeably more than anything else.

Happily, there’s a free 30-day trial – which we’d advise running to check how the program performs on your system. If there are no noticeable issues, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security is one of the best antivirus software programs you can choose.

Read the Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security review.

(Image credit: TopTenReviews)

8. VIPRE Advanced Security

A great antivirus for saving system resources

Doesn’t drag on your system

Doesn’t have a password manager

VIPRE Advanced Security is the easiest antivirus software program to install and use among the antivirus programs we tested. It’s easy to find the tools, functions and folders you need because they are clearly marked with large icons and big text.

Subfolders and tools, like the quarantine folder and custom scan settings, are in the main folders where you would expect them to be, so it’s not hard to navigate this program. Also, setting up VIPRE doesn’t take a lot of guesswork, and it doesn’t cause much slowdown of your computer while its running, even during deep virus scans.

While third-party test laboratories don’t test VIPRE very often, we checked out how well it protects against malware and were happy to see it blocked 99 percent of the over-300 live malware samples we used for testing.

Read the review: VIPRE Advanced Security

(Image credit: Future)

9. Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus

The most lightweight antivirus software around

Operating system: Windows and Mac | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Always-on security, identity protection, real-time anti-phishing, firewall monitor

Very light on system resources

Extremely fast

Advanced features

No data from top labs

If you’re looking for a truly lightweight tool, Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is the best antivirus software you can choose. Sure, most other products claim to be lightweight, but Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is the only one to really live up to the claim: it’s tiny – and it’s exceptionally fast.

It takes just seconds to install, and the program files are barely 2MB in size (some antivirus software can more than 700MB), with no bulky signature updates to hog your bandwidth. But just because it’s light on space, it doesn’t mean Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is light on features. Aside from the core protection, it comes with smart behaviour monitoring, accurate real-time antiphishing, a firewall and network connection monitor, enhanced anti-ransomware, and other bonus features.

The top testing labs don’t evaluate Webroot's products very often, so it’s tough to directly compare this program’s accuracy with that of the other best antivirus software programs. But when they are tested, they score well - and certainly our tests revealed solid, reliable protection.

The company is so confident you’ll like it, Webroot has given SecureAnywhere AntiVirus a generous 70-day 100 per cent money-back guarantee. If you’re fed up of bloated engines, Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is a very good product and worth a shot.

Read the review: Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus

(Image credit: Amazon)

10. Norton 360 Deluxe

The best antivirus software for Dark Web Monitoring

Discounts for first-time customers

Dark Web Monitoring function

Expensive

Norton 360 Deluxe is the big brother of Norton 360 Antivirus Plus. It offers one of the best antiviruses on the market, while also giving you several other security features.

With this subscription, you get a secure VPN, which will anonymize you online and allow you to browse with complete security without the worry of being tracked by corporations, governments, or your ISP. Norton will give you a good deal on your first year, with prices often up to 75% off for first-time customers.

Norton 360 Deluxe also offers Dark Web Monitoring. If your personal details are stolen or leaked and appear on the Dark Web, Norton will inform you so that you can change passwords or email addresses to keep your sensitive information and logins safe.

One of the features that really stand out to us is the password manager. When you sign up to a website or service, Norton will generate a super strong password and automatically save it so that you can make note of it or use it automatically when you log into a specific site. This is much better than using the same password for every site, as your entire online presence may be compromised if one of them gets leaked. You also get SafeCam, a feature that alerts you if someone attempts to access your webcam and helps you to block future unauthorized access to it.

With this particular subscription, we would only recommend spending the extra money if you really think it is worth it. If you don't see yourself utilizing the extra features then we would recommend Norton 360 Antivirus Plus or one of the other more basic options on our list.

How we tested the best antivirus software

We’ve thoroughly researched antivirus software from all the big names in internet security, including Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender. We’ve spent hours finding out what each antivirus software offers and how much they cost and discovered how they perform in real-world situations.

We turn to industry experts and in-depth laboratories when deciding our overall antivirus ratings, and with good reason – these facilities test for malware, zero-day threats, false positives, and other security issues.

X-HEAD: Can antivirus software remove existing viruses?

It can be challenging for any antivirus software to find and eliminate threats that were already on your system – because lots of viruses and malware applications block detection or mimic legitimate applications.

Ultimately, antivirus applications will remove some existing malware, but not all of it. And these apps can’t usually repair existing damage.

If your PC is already infected, we recommend that you seek professional help – computer stores and local experts will be able to remove malware and get your PC fighting fit.

Once your PC has been thoroughly cleaned, you should install an antivirus package to ensure that you don’t end up in the same situation again.

Antivirus software FAQs

Can antivirus software remove existing viruses?

Ultimately, antivirus applications will remove some existing malware, but not all of it. And these apps can’t usually repair existing damage.

If your PC is already infected, we recommend that you seek professional help – computer stores and local experts will be able to remove malware and get your PC fighting fit.

Once your PC has been thoroughly cleaned, you should install an antivirus package to ensure that you don’t end up in the same situation again.

How much does good antivirus software cost?

Mainstream antivirus packages don’t tend to be expensive. The top utilities generally cost between $20 and $50 per year, but prices vary between brands. Prices change elsewhere, too: you’ll often get a discount if you buy a multi-year package, but you may also have to pay more if you want to protect multiple devices.

If you want to save cash, many antivirus software companies have introductory discounts, and you can switch to a different provider the next year to take advantage of another deal. And, at the other end of the scale, expect to pay more if you want additional features.

Companies like Avast, Avira and AVG produce free antivirus software. They don’t have the features of paid products and they’re usually ad-supported, but they will certainly protect your PC.

Using your data to help others

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020 also has a data sharing program that allows the software to send information about viruses, Trojans, rootkits and other malware found on your computer back to its databases. This is a way to keep tabs on new threats and pass along protection to other Bitdefender users before the malware becomes a cyber outbreak.

There hasn’t been any evidence of Bitdefender gathering inappropriate or unauthorized information, so we’re confident Bitdefender is safe to use. However, you can turn off this feature altogether from the Bitdefender dashboard if it worries you.

What is the best mobile antivirus software?

Most smartphone operating systems have built-in antivirus software alongside loads of other security features, but you can also deploy third-party applications if you’d like an extra layer of protection.

Bear in mind, though, that most basic and entry-level antivirus applications don’t cover smartphones. If you want smartphone protection, you’ll need to purchase a more comprehensive package, like McAfee Total Protection or Norton 360 Standard. Those products tend to cover PCs, laptops, and smartphones for one price.

What is the best antivirus for business?

We found that Kaspersky is the best antivirus choice for small businesses, with superb malware protection alongside straightforward design – it’s easy to use even if you’re not experienced with technology. Kaspersky also uses cloud computing to keep its apps updated, which is ideal if you don’t have an in-house IT team.

Kaspersky’s small business software covers up to 50 users, so it’s well-suited to protecting all devices in more compact organizations – and it covers smartphones and tablets as well as PCs and laptops. As well as antiviral protection, it includes password managers, backup tools, anti-spam and anti-phishing modules and web controls.

We’d also highlight Avast’s business products for larger firms. There are various products that can protect up to 100 or 1000 devices, and the packages include firewall and VPN modules for added security. Avast’s products also have a vulnerability scanner, so you’ll get alerts about potential threats before they’re exploited, and it can even monitor employee webcams.

Do I need to uninstall an old antivirus program before installing a new one?

Most antivirus software competes with other protection programs, so you need to uninstall your old program before installing a new one. Also, antivirus programs take up substantial memory, and having two installed will cause your computer to run much slower. During the installation process, most programs perform a scan to see if any other antivirus software or components are already installed, and they will either uninstall the old program for you or prompt you to uninstall it manually.

However, there are a couple programs that work in tandem with other antivirus software. Both AVG and Avast work alongside other protection software to add a second layer of security, catching threats your main program may miss. In both programs, you can turn off the virus detection and scan features – your main program can provide those specific service, and you can still take advantage of AVG’s and Avast’s more advanced tools like safe banking and password managers.

If you install Avast or AVG as a secondary antivirus program, make sure to install it after your main antivirus. Otherwise, your primary program will require you to uninstall it before completing the installation process.

What is a personal firewall?

Firewalls should form a critical part of any security setup – because they inspect your internet traffic and block harmful content. Firewalls are included in modern operating systems, in routers, and in antivirus packages and security software.

Many operating system and router firewalls are not infallible, though, because they don’t check inside packets of information for hidden threats – so malware can still creep through.

Firewalls from leading security companies do tend to look inside these packets, though, so they do a better job of spotting tricky threats. If you want to be truly secure, it pays to use a third-party firewall that can better identify and eliminate potential problems.

Best VPN service 2022: keep your data secure

Luke Edwards — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 12:03:06 +0000

Having the best VPN service is an important safety tool that encrypts your internet traffic and sends it on a trip around the world, making it much harder, some would say impossible, for advertisers, scammers, hackers, and anyone who’s taking a little too much interest in things like your location and passwords to see what you’re doing.

VPN stands for virtual private network, and means you make a private, encrypted, connection across the very public network that is the internet. Among the things a good VPN can obfuscate is your geographical location, so you can access content that’s not usually available to you based on where you live. Foreign versions of Netflix, the BBC iPlayer for non-Brits, and US streaming services while you’re on vacation abroad suddenly come into reach.

Watch out for VPNs that won’t log your activity - known as ‘no-log’ services - as these are inherently more secure. A single button for turning them on and off is useful too, with a simple menu for switching locations and servers, as no one wants to fiddle with complicated interfaces when all they want to do is log into Netflix.

VPNs are a good choice if you’re worried about online security, but are only one part of a meshed approach to security that can also include the best antivirus software and the best internet security software too.

1. ExpressVPN: Best VPN service 2022

Express VPN is the best VPN service of 2021

ExpressVPN

Simply the best VPN service for speed, privacy and more

Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations: 160 | IP addresses: 30,000 | Maximum devices supported: 5

Huge selection of worldwide servers

Super secure

Intuitive and clean interface

Not the cheapest

The best VPN service out there right now has to be ExpressVPN – and for many reasons. The easiest place to start is with just that, ease: the client (which comes on a host of devices, including iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and even BlackBerry) is really simple with a click-to-start option, but also offers deeper functionality if you need it. Either way, you'll be assured of excellent speeds across more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries, and superb security with enterprise-level encryption.

Other positives include DNS content unblocking and leak protection, P2P support, Bitcoin payment options, Netflix unblocking, a no logging policy, split-tunneling, a kill switch and 24 hours of live chat support every day of the week.

You can even use custom firmware to install this at the router level for some devices, meaning you'll be hidden by a VPN no matter which device connects to the Wi-Fi. You can even try all those features for free using the 30-day money back guarantee.

You can use this VPN service on five devices at any one time – some providers offer more than that. But since you can set ExpressVPN up on the router, to which any number of devices can connect. This is the best VPN out there right now. The price does reflect that level of service.

Read our ExpressVPN review

2. IPVanish: Best VPN for P2P

IP vanish is quick, and great for P2P

IPVanish

The best VPN service for torrenting and P2P traffic

Number of servers: 1,300+ | Server locations: 75+ | IP addresses: 40,000+ | Maximum devices supported: 10

Owned servers

Super speeds

Configurable client

No ‘free trial’

If your main use for a VPN is to get torrents and P2P content, then IPVanish is one of the best VPN services for you. It boasts over 1,300 servers across more than 75 countries, which offer more than 40,000 shared IPs, unlimited P2P traffic and superb download speeds. As if all that didn't make you feel secure enough, the company owns and manages all of its own servers for another level of security.

Plus, you get 24/7 support, ten connections at once, and a seven-day money-back guarantee. So even though there isn't a free trial, you could always opt out within that time and spend nothing. Clients work on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and even Fire TV and offer great features and options, with unblocking for Netflix and more as standard.

Read our IPVanish review

3. Malwarebytes Privacy: Best VPN for online security

(Image credit: Malwarebytes)

Malwarebytes Privacy

If security is your number one concern, Malwarebytes Privacy is the best VPN for you.

Number of servers: 400+ | Server locations: 30+ | IP addresses: Unknown | Maximum devices supported: 5

Ease to use

Very secure

Reliable, fast connections

Doesn't always work with streaming services

One of the biggest names in antivirus software, Malwarebytes is now offering its own VPN service in the form of Malwarebytes Privacy. As you might expect from a cybersecurity company, Malwarebytes Privacy focuses heavily on the security side of VPNs. It uses the WireGuard VPN protocol and 256-bit encryption to offer an exceptionally secure service. It’s also a no-log VPN, so it won’t track your network data either.

The app is easy to use and works across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices so you can ensure that all your devices are connected. There are over 400 servers in 30+ countries, and our testing showed great speeds and reliable connections.

The downside of this focus on security is that some of the more fun uses of a VPN have suffered, namely using them with streaming services. Some of Malwarebytes Privacy’s servers work with streaming apps like Netflix, but it's hit and miss. If your main reason for owning a VPN is to watch foreign TV, then maybe look elsewhere. But if you want to stay safe and secure online, Malwarebytes Privacy is a great choice.

Read our Malwarebytes Privacy review.

4. Hotspot Shield: Best free VPN

Hotspot Shield is a great budget option

Hotspot Shield

Free VPN, with optional extras

Number of servers: 2,500+ | Server locations: 70+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5

Affordable and easy to use

Excellent speeds

Official app compatibility only

Not so good with Netflix

Hotspot Shield, as the name suggests, is a brilliant VPN for offering you personal protection when online. Specifically, this VPN service is excellent for browsing because it not only offers top security but also the company's own Catapult Hydra protocol. This is a superb system that makes sure you get the fastest download speeds possible and it really works, even when connected to servers that are really far from your real world location. This VPN service works on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, but won't work on OpenVPN so you can't run it at router level unfortunately.

The service has two options, one is free to use but if you want most of the features you'll need to sign-up for full access and the best possible service.

Hotspot Shield has great features like five device connections at once, 24/7 support, over 2,500 servers in 70 countries and no ads. But you will struggle to unblock US Netflix and BBC iPlayer, which is a downer for some. That said, this VPN service does offer a free seven-day trial, so it may be worth giving it a go.

Read our Hotspot Shield review

5. CyberGhost: Good all-rounder VPN

If you don't go with Express, then CyberGhost is an excellent alternative

CyberGhost

Great for personalization

Number of servers: 5,900+ | Server locations: 110+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 7

Excellent client options

Great performance

Torrent support

Interface can be irksome at times

CyberGhost is a superb VPN service for deep-level personalization, making it an ideal choice for users who know what they're doing, know what they want, and know how to tweak the client to make it right for them. Since 2020 the servers are numbered at over 5,900 spread across over 90 countries offering excellent security and anonymity, and thanks to ad and malicious site blocking, automated HTTPS redirection and optional data compression, you can stay secure and keep your data use to a minimum.

A really nice feature is the ability to select the service you're using the VPN for and it will automatically find the best servers to suit the job. So you could select the likes of Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and more, and it will make sure geo restrictions are removed, so you can enjoy the content wherever you are in the world. The complex interface can be troublesome at times but, for all the aforementioned benefits, this very good VPN service is worth learning your way around. There's a stingy 24 hour free trial but then you get a 45-day money-back guarantee to enjoy.

Read our CyberGhost review

6. Surfshark: Best VPN for beginners

Surfshark is basic, but great for beginners

Surfshark

A very fast VPN service, which is simple enough for beginners

Number of servers: 800+ | Server locations: 50+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited

Advanced features

Netflix unblocking

Affordable

Basic app

While Surfshark is still a small fish in the VPN pond, it does offer over 800 servers across 69 locations, and supports Windows, Mac, iOS and Android as well as Chrome and Firefox. It offers URL and ad blocking, P2P support, VPN chaining, a kill switch, split tunnelling and zero-knowledge DNS servers for your privacy peace of mind. You also get 24/7 support, so even if you do have issues they can be quickly resolved.

While Surfshark isn't as cheap a VPN service as some, for most plans the two-year option does offer the best saving, and you can even pay using PayPal, cryptocurrency, Amazon Pay, Google Pay and Ali Pay, helping you remain anonymous. There's a seven day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee.

A welcome ‘recently used servers’ tab makes regular access to the best servers for your needs nice and easy, a feature we really appreciated while we were testing Surfshark. All in all, if you're looking for speed, and put off by complicated menus and myriad options, Surfshark could be the best VPN service for you.

Read our Surfshark review

7. NordVPN: A much improving VPN service

Once maligned, NordVPN is improving by the day

NordVPN

A previous best that suffered a security leak

Number of servers: 5,600+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 6

Ultra secure encryption

Six connections at once

Double kill switches

No live chat support

NordVPN is still one of the best VPN services when it comes to security thanks to a mind-boggling 2048-bit encryption, as well as not one but two kill switches, along with strong DNS leak protection. You can even pay with Bitcoin or Paypal to help add further anonymity to your experience. That all works across a whopping 5,600 servers spread over 60 countries, which we found to offer an above average speed performance.

The addition of the company's own SmartPlay service means you have a handy assistant for getting around geo-restricted content, meaning you can enjoy Netflix or Amazon Prime Video in whatever country you happen to find yourself.

A lack of live chat support may irk some, but we had very few problems – other than the odd server connection lag – so support shouldn't be needed anyway. And at the prices Nord offers, you should find this VPN service excellent value for money.

Note: NordVPN announced that it had a security breach at one of its many servers in March 2018. It maintains such as activity logs, usernames and passwords remained secure however some parts of some of its users' search history was potentially exposed. For that reason it has been bumped down from number two to number six in our list.

Read our NordVPN review

8. KeepSolid VPN: Best VPN for Netflix

KeepSolid is a small provider, but worth a look (Image credit: KeepSolid)

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited

Very fast and great for Netflix

Number of servers: 400+ | Server locations: 80+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5

Great speeds

Top Netflix unblocking

Decent pricing options

Access limited on specific devices

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is great for unblocking the likes of Netflix or BBC iPlayer despite having just 400 servers. This is because they're well used, spread across over 80 locations worldwide. These are supported by a host of super secure protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and PPTP but this also have the latest WireGuard too. There is torrent support but only via five locations, one being California though. Pricing is relatively low at $5 per month on a yearly subscription or $9.99 for a month at a time. Rarely, there is also a lifetime option for $199.99.

Read our KeepSolid VPN review

9. TunnelBear: Best budget VPN service

On a tight budget? Get yourself TunnelBear

TunnelBear

Simple yet secure, and relatively cheap

Number of servers: 1,000 | Server locations: 20+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5

Easy to use

Excellent security

Relatively cheap

Slower long-distance connections

Canada-based VPN service TunnelBear is a brilliantly easy-to-use VPN that doesn't only makes access simple, but also keeps security tight. It's one of those just-does-what-you-need type services that make life feel easier. As such, you are limited to just 1,000 servers across 20 location, and since long-distance connections did struggle in our tests, this may not be ideal for some (for example, if you’re an Aussie in the US trying to access a server Down Under). That said, connections work well, clients run across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, plus you can set this VPN service up on a router.

We found that you can unblock the likes of US Netflix abroad, and the privacy policy is excellent, with the company hiring a private company to audit its server security. Speeds can be great and there's even a free VPN service for you to try with up to 500MB of free data per month.

Read our TunnelBear review

10. Private Internet Access: Superb security VPN

Functional name, but Private Internet Access does what it says (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Private Internet Access

Strong security without a steep price

Number of servers: 3,300+ | Server locations: 49 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 10

Ten device connections at once

Super app personalization

Great value

Windows client can be fiddly

Private Internet Access is a solid VPN that might not be the fastest - although still above average - but what it lacks in pace it makes up for in price and security. The servers are over 3,300 in number yet P2P is supported across all servers and you even get pro-level features like port forwarding and SOCKS5 support. There are clients for Mac, Windows, Android, iOS and Linux as well as good-looking browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Opera.

Read our Private Internet Access review

11. StrongVPN: Good for multiple devices

As the name suggests, StrongVPN has great security (Image credit: StrongVPN)

StrongVPN

Netflix unblocking is made simple by this VPN service

Number of servers: 950+ | Server locations: 46 | Maximum devices supported: 12

Access Netflix anywhere

Simple to use, and secure

Plenty of devices

No trial

May be a bit basic for some

StrongVPN rounds off our list of the best VPN services. It's not quite at the level of some in our guide – but it's better than most, thanks to its simplicity to use, support for a whopping 12 devices at once, and above-average performance speeds. Those speeds are helpful for streaming fans, as they works with the VPN's ability to unblock geo-restricted Netflix and BBC iPlayer content really easily. Clients are available for iOS, Android, Mac and Windows with router support and even Fire TV and Kodi compatibility.

The 950 servers might be minimal, compared to some, but they span 46 cities in 26 countries, and are backed by security in the form of L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, IPSec, and IKEv2 protocols. You can also rest easy knowing you get 24/7 customer support too. Pricing could be lower, but you do get a lot for your money with this VPN service.

Read our StrongVPN review

How we test VPN services

We start by taking all the providers' plans and working our way into the depths of each individual VPN service from there. That means looking at value, features and pricing plans, as well as also privacy. This includes digging down into the terms and conditions to see how logging works to make sure security is as good as promised.

Performance is also another area we carefully look at in terms of download speeds, reliability, stability and variation across distances of servers. We also use IPLeak.net to check there are no privacy problems with the DNS. Of course, another factor is the client interface. This is tested in depth to make sure there are no annoying idiosyncrasies after you've committed to paying for the VPN service.

We then weigh up all these factors, assigning points to form an overall score, which helps us order each VPN service from best to least capable. Our final top ten list of the best VPN services right now are all excellent options, as any bad services have been assigned a lower score.

Best VPN services: how to choose the right one

There are a number of important factors to consider when you're choosing a VPN service to buy. Here are five pro tips for picking the right one.

1. Does the VPN service have servers in the countries and region you need? Consider which areas a VPN works in. While having more than one server in a country can help improve reliability, it doesn't guarantee improved performance. Don't assume that a plan with 500 servers will automatically beat another with 100.

2. How many simultaneous connections are supported? Normally this will be around three-five, so you can connect a desktop, mobile and tablet at the same time. Watch out though: a lot of VPN service providers specify that this is for a single user only, and have a fair usage policy to stop people using all the resources. .

3. VPN services do collect some data, despite not logging your online activities. Some record the day you logged on and the amount of data you used, and delete all other data at the end of the session. Other VPN services add items like your incoming IP address and server, and store that information for months. If that sounds alarming, you can find out more by checking the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

4. Do you need more features? Some clients display server load and ping time in the interface, helping you choose the right server. If you'll be using your VPN service a lot, you might want a "Favourites" system to save and recall specific servers. For experienced users, low-level network settings will help you customise the whole system.

5. Beware cheap deals. VPN deals can have all kinds of strings attached: restricted features; taxes excluded; the discount may only be valid for the first billing period only, automatically renewing to turn that $4.99/month into $10/month, so that apparent one-off $3.99 might become almost $10 next month. Read the small print, and ideally sign up with a service like PayPal where it's easy to cancel a subscription yourself if you need to.

6. Trial it. Found the best VPN service on paper? Give it a try before parting with a lot of cash. A short trial can only tell you a limited amount, so after that pay for a month, test the VPN as much as you can, and then upgrade to a better-value plan (a long plan, maybe yearly) if it still feels like the best VPN service for you.

Google aims to simplify logging in anywhere

Jennifer Allen — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 14:05:35 +0000

Google has made some steps forward to making everyone's life a little easier when it comes to remembering login details and passwords. At least, that's the hope.

The company has revealed that it's combining a number of its existing online sign-in tools and APIs into a single SDK (software development kit) that should be much easier for developers to add to their websites. Known as Google Identity Services, it includes the 'Sign in with Google' service you've probably seen when accessing third-party websites using your Google account. It also includes a new one-touch authentication service known as One Tap. Just right if you've picked up one of the best laptops, the MacBook Pro with Touch ID support, but also good for all manners of different systems.

The thinking is that One Tap makes signing in much, much simpler than trying to remember your password and typing things in. It can prompt the user to log in on any page so there's no need to be redirected to a landing page which can mess up even the best web browsers or at least your workflow.

The new One Tap prompt will slide down from the top right of a website so it's easy to see saving you ample effort.

The 'Sign in with Google' button will also be improved, offering personalized user details for returning users.

In a blog post, Filip Verley, product manager for Google Identity explained that, "every day, we focus on putting users in control of their data by building products that are secure by default and private by design." He pointed out that the most common online security vulnerability occurs beyond Google products with data breaches exposing people's data. While the best identity theft protection services can help here, it's not an ideal solution so being able to use superior Google services might just do it.

As always, it's a smart idea to protect your computer adequately. We're talking the best antivirus software as well as the best VPN service to ensure your home computer is safe. However, it's definitely useful to know that you don't have to rely upon remembering your password and login details quite like before. Expect to see Google playing a bigger role in your browsing time in the near future.

Malwarebytes Privacy review

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 10:38:08 +0000

We’re checking out Malwarebytes Privacy, which has been recently updated to work across mobile devices. Malwarebytes is a name that you’re more akin to hearing when talking about the best antivirus software, but like most antivirus providers it is now moving into the VPN space too with Malwarebytes Privacy. It makes sense - VPNs are another solid layer of protection when you’re online, so the two do go hand in hand.

After testing Malwarebytes Privacy for several weeks, we can say that it’s an solid product, but it has a couple of flaws that hold it back. It’s fast, offers good server variety, and the app is easy to use. It’s aggressively priced too, which means it’s a great choice for people who want online protection without paying a premium. But it doesn't play nicely with streaming services, so people looking to access foreign Netflix should look elsewhere.

Malwarebytes Privacy has an uphill battle ahead of it though. The best VPN services are already well established, and offer basically everything you could want from a VPN already, so what can Malwarebytes Privacy do to set itself apart from the crowd?

Malwarebytes Privacy review: User interface

Clean, easy to use UI.
Looks and feels like a professional product.

The Malwarebytes Privacy program is actually incredibly spartan, taking inspiration from other minimalist VPN software like ExpressVPN. It loads up as a small window on the right side of your screen and you basically have three options - you can turn the VPN on, you can change the server location and you can access settings.

Even within the settings menu though, Malwarebytes Privacy is very lowkey. In the general settings you can toggle features like auto-launch and auto connect to tell your VPN whether it should activate automatically when you start up your PC. You can also enable dark mode to reduce eye strain, and you can change your language preferences.

(Image credit: Malwarebytes)

There are a few more options in the Network setting section that let you tailor specifics of how the VPN works including whether to trust other devices on your local network and a kill switch option that blocks all network traffic if the VPN is disabled. That’s pretty much your lot though.

We like this minimalist approach in general. A VPN is there to do one job, and it doesn’t need to clutter your screen with other stuff. You need a button to turn it on or off, and the ability to switch locations easily. Malwarebytes Privacy offers all this, wrapped up in a nice presentation.

Malwarebytes Privacy review: Privacy

No-log VPN.
400+ servers.
Some servers don't work with streaming services.

With a name like Malwarebytes Privacy, you’d really hope that it would be able to deliver in this section and thankfully, Malwarebytes Privacy does just that. It uses the WireGuard VPN protocol and 256-bit encryption to offer fast, secure connections to over 400 servers across 30+ countries, so you’ll should be able to access geo-restricted content from the UK, Canada, Japan, and most of Europe. That's quite a low number compared to some of its competitors, but it gets the job done (and server count isn't everything).

There are also 13 different US-based servers that you can connect to, so you’ll be able to get a faster service when you’re just looking to keep your identity secure and aren’t worried about accessing content that’s locked to specific regions. These US servers are also handy if you go on holiday and want to keep using your US-only streaming services like HBO Max and Paramount Plus.

(Image credit: Malwarebytes)

We had some issues during our testing when it came to using streaming services though. From the UK, we tried to access the US Netflix using the New York and Los Angeles servers and couldn't get it to work - it put us into a weird Netflix limbo that didn't have either the US or UK exclusive content available to watch. We changed over to a Chicago server and it worked fine though, so Malwarebytes Privacy may not be the most reliable choice for people using TV streaming services.

Beyond that, Malwarebytes Privacy does what you’d expect a VPN to do. It anonymizes your online activities to keep companies and websites from seeing your IP address, location, and other identifying information. Malwarebytes Privacy is a no-log VPN too, which means it doesn’t track or store your network data either, so you can be sure that you’re completely anonymous and secure online.

Malwarebytes Privacy review: Features and apps

Works with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Kill switch mode.

Malwarebytes Privacy supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices so you can cover all your gadgets under a single VPN app. There is a mobile app that we tested on our Android device and it worked great. There are even fewer options on the mobile app than there are on the PC version - you can turn it on or off, and change the location. That’s it.

(Image credit: Malwarebytes)

As we said, Malwarebytes Privacy is a fairly lightweight program so you don’t get a lot of bells and whistles, but it does have some key features that we like to see in a VPN. For one thing, there is an option for a kill switch mode, which immediately halts all online traffic if your VPN goes down. This ensures that you’re not exposed to any unsecured networks if your VPN disconnects while you’re out using coffee shop WiFi, for example.

Malwarebytes Privacy review: Speed

Good download speeds.
Reliable connection.

Using the standard network speed test that is built into Google, we achieved a 107.4 Mbps download speed, 41.2 Mbps upload speed, and 77ms latency with Malwarebytes Privacy active. We compared that to our standard speeds that we get without a VPN connection. With the VPN turned off, we get 164.3 Mbps download speed, 108.8 Mbps upload speed and 6ms latency.

Those are respectable numbers when you consider that we’re bouncing our signal across the Atlantic Ocean, testing from the UK to a server based in New York. We saw almost identical results when comparing with our top rated VPN, ExpressVPN. We've repeated these tests several times on different days with similar results.

(Image credit: Malwarebytes)

Of course, speed will change based on a number of factors including the location of the server you’re using, so these aren’t absolute numbers, but they give you an idea of how Malwarebytes stacks up against a top competitor, and we have to say we’re impressed.

Malwarebytes Privacy review: Pricing

Prices start at $39.99 annually.
60-day money back guarantee.

If you’re buying Malwarebytes Privacy as a standalone product, there are three options available to you. You can get access for a single device for $39.99 per year, three devices for $49.99 per year, or five devices for $59.99 per year. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with the service you receive too, and a seven-day free trial if you want to try before you buy.

That price is significantly cheaper than the cost of our top pick, ExpressVPN, so if you’re looking for a VPN that won’t break the bank, then Malwarebytes Privacy is a fine option. It’s comparable in pricing to NordVPN, another popular option on the market.

(Image credit: Malwarebytes)

Should you buy Malwarebytes Privacy?

The VPN market is getting a little saturated with choices that functionally offer the same thing, and Malwarebytes Privacy doesn’t do much to set itself apart from the crowd. You get a solid service with a great range of servers and locations, an easy to use program, and Malwarebytes won’t track or log your data. Sadly, the one area it struggles with is streaming, and that's one of the main reasons people use VPNs outside of security.

If you already use Malwarebytes Antivirus or other products, then it’s probably a no brainer to get this (or Malwarebytes Essential, which combines the antivirus, browser guard, and VPN into one package). If not, Malwarebytes Privacy is still a good choice, unless you're using your VPN primarily for streaming.

Microsoft Edge's new coupon feature could automatically save you money

Jennifer Allen — Wed, 12 May 2021 13:29:22 +0000

Microsoft has added a new and potentially very useful feature to Microsoft Edge for Android, and it's one you may not have even realized that your existing desktop browser already has - the ability to automatically find discount coupons when shopping online.

Price coupons were added to the desktop version of Microsoft Edge late last year, further instilling why it's in a strong position on our look at the best web browsers right now. Effectively, the coupons and promo codes appear inside Edge as an alert while you shop and they can be automatically applied to your basket when you check out. That feature has now made its way to the Android version of Microsoft Edge making it easily accessible for anyone with one of the best smartphones out there, or one of the best tablets too.

As anyone browsing the internet regularly knows, there are plenty of sites out there that will let you know about the latest coupons available but the point to this Microsoft Edge feature is that you don't have to go looking yourself. It's an experimental setting at the moment on the latest Canary build of Edge 92 called Shopping Sites Coupons.

How do you enable Edge's coupon feature?

All you need to do to use it is to install the latest build then launch Edge and go to edge://flags. Find the flag named Shopping site Coupons then set it to Enabled before restarting the app. You don't have to install any additional add-ons or extensions for it to work. Instead, when you visit a supported shopping site, you'll see a new icon on the address bar to let you know that a coupon is available for you to use. Tap the icon and you'll gain some insight into what the coupons can offer with another tap applying it to your basket.

It's all remarkably simple but it could save you a lot of money in the long run, as well as the time involved in seeking out coupons yourself. The vouchers aren't solely small discounts either with some fairly hefty price cuts out there providing you know where to look. Except, of course, Microsoft Edge knows where to look meaning you don't have to worry about being in the know.

There's been an increasingly competitive battle between Chrome vs. Edge when it comes to which is the better browser, and it's these little tweaks that could make the difference. After all, how could you turn down something that saves you money? There's no word yet on when or if the update will come to Microsoft Edge for iPhone but for now, Android users can enjoy an opportunity to save a few pennies.

Why Google FLoC might be bad news for your anonymity

Jennifer Allen — Mon, 10 May 2021 11:12:14 +0000

Recently, Google has announced that it will stop using cookies to track your internet browsing habits. In a blog post, it announced it under the guise of 'building a privacy-first future for web advertising' and doesn't that sound wonderful? Not exactly, it seems. Google plans on replacing traditional tracking cookies with a system known as FLoC - interest-based advertising - that Google reckons will provide users with more relevant adverts (and more anonymity with it) but, well, barely anyone else believes this a good thing. If you're curious about why that might be the case, we've had a crack at pinpointing key things you need to know about just what Google FLoC will mean for you.

What is FLoC?

FLoC, or Federated Learning of Cohorts, to give it its full name aims to give advertisers a way of targeting ads appropriately without exposing details on individual users. It does this by grouping people with similar interests together to form a series of cohorts.

It uses behavioral targeting without cookies, running in Google Chrome's browser (currently our second pick of the best web browsers out there) so that it can track a user's online behavior. Your browser history is assigned an identifier before you're added to the cohort. The thinking is that advertisers can't identify you individually because each browser is given an anonymous ID. The cohort ID is recalculated on a weekly basis with a new summary of your activity without actually being fully identified at any point.

Google claims that the data isn't stored on a server as it all happens through your computer due to its use of an algorithm called SimHash, so there are fewer privacy concerns to do with the use of third-party cookies. It's also stated that cohorts with 'highly sensitive content' won't be used such as if you frequently visit medical websites or sites that publish religious or political content.

It all sounds very promising on the surface but many people aren't so sure and for good reason.

(Image credit: Future)

The uncertainty surrounding FLoC

One of the loudest voices against the idea of Google's FLoC is the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It points out that the idea we should be celebrating this change is based on a 'false premise that we have to choose between old tracking and new tracking'. The article explains we should 'imagine a better world without the myriad problems of targeted ads'. It goes on to explain that users should be able to decide what information they wish to share with each site they interact with rather than be limited to whatever Google decides to do for us.

There are issues surrounding Google being a little vague at times too. Many specifics are still not fully explained such as how easily accessible a user's cohort ID is and whether it can be shared in any other ways.

The idea of a cohort could make it easier for you to be identified too. After all, if a cohort is made up of a few thousand people like you, it narrows things down further more than the conventional methods of before where you were simply one of millions.

Companies may also be able to cross-reference results. If, for instance, the site you're using offers 'log in with Google' services which can then tie your identity to the information gleaned from FLoC.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I be worried about FLoC?

There's no doubt that third-party cookie tracking is bad. It's become far more invasive over the years with a technique known as fingerprinting even meaning that any anti-tracking measures such as ad-blockers still don't necessarily work as effectively as you might think.

However, FLoC feels like a change rather than an improvement. Companies like Apple are already simply blocking ad-tracking altogether but Google is keen to allow targeted advertising to remain. If you use Google Chrome as your main browser, you'll need to get used to this. For now, you can check if you're one of the users testing the concept by going to https://amifloced.org.

It's uncertain if other browsers - like our top pick Microsoft Edge - will adopt the technology with the likes of Microsoft, Apple, and Mozilla staying silent on the matter. For European countries, it's also unclear whether FLoC is compatible with GDPR data regulations too, so the technology isn't currently being tested in Europe yet.

Ultimately, FLoC doesn't seem like a great idea for the average user. While it's arguably no worse than traditional third-party cookie tracking, it's far from the liberating revolution that Google seems to be suggesting it is. Instead, it remains an effective way of using your browsing habits to help companies benefit financially in the long run.

You may not notice it in daily use but it's safe to say you'll still be being watched in some way. It's down to you whether you trust Google sufficiently to believe that you're more anonymous through this method.

For more on computing and browsing, check out our guide to the best home computers right now, and our look at the best VPN services.

Mac malware rises by over 1,000% in last 12 months

Jennifer Allen — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 12:56:37 +0000

A recent report by Atlas VPN has found that development of macOS malware surged by over 1,000% in 2020 with hackers keen to target Mac-based systems much more so than ever before. If you're worried about your safety online, check out our look at the best antivirus software. Many of the anti-virus software packages listed work on Mac as well as PC and can offer substantial protection against nefarious nasties.

As part of Atlas' investigation, the firm found that 674,273 new malware samples were found in 2020 compared to a mere 56,556 in 2019. With an increase of 1,092% in the space of a year, it's fair to say that's a huge increase for macOS - an operating system traditionally seen as fairly safe from any threats such as viruses and malware.

Malware is effectively everything you don't want anywhere near your computer. It can include password stealers, exploits that take advantage of your system, macro viruses, hacking tools, and the most sinister of the bunch - ransomware - which holds your data hostage until you pay your assailants a fee to unlock the files (if you're lucky). A catch-all term, it's clear that the malicious software has spread like wildfire in 2020 with an average of 1,847 threats developed each day. As a sign of how bad things have turned, Atlas added up all the new malware since it started measuring in 2021 and found that number reached 219,257 - a far cry from last year's number alone.

While that might all sound very scary, when it comes to the best home computers for keeping you secure, macOS is still a safer option than Windows. A record high of 91.05 million new Windows malware samples were discovered in 2020, equating to an average of nearly 250,000 threats per day. Granted, new threats for Windows are climbing at a slower pace but that's because the figures were fairly horrific to begin with.

So, what should you do? Besides installing antivirus apps, consider the best internet security software out there too to further protect you. As well as that, educate yourself and be wary of anything that looks too good to be true online, as well as avoid downloading files you don't recognise, or browsing nefarious websites. Recent findings have discovered that cybercrime cost the world more than $1 trillion in 2020 so it's not going to go anywhere any time soon. If you stay smart online though and use the right software, you won't have to worry about being a victim.

Kaspersky Safe Kids review

Mike Jennings — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 12:01:03 +0000

You've likely already heard of Kaspersky Safe Kids. Kaspersky is one of the biggest names in the world of antivirus and security, and its cell phone parental control app is one of the most affordable products on the market: it costs just $15 for an annual subscription.

Paying that $15 grants you one license for the software, but that individual license can be used for up to 100 child profiles and across 500 different devices, so realistically it’s going to cover all of your parental control needs.

Safe Kids is also included if you purchase Kaspersky’s Total Security package, which is one of the best antivirus packages you can get. It does cost $49 for an annual licence, but it includes antivirus, VPN, ad-blocking, anti-phishing modules and loads more options, so that could be a better bet if you need a more comprehensive and holistic protection option.

Kaspersky Safe Kids: Features

As with most parental control tools, Kaspersky Safe Kids revolves around filtering. 17 different categories of material can be filtered from web browsers – including adult content, violence, gaming, religion material, gambling, profanity, and all the other usual topics – and Kaspersky’s app can also filter out news websites, anonymous browsing tools and e-commerce websites if you’d like to prevent your children from accessing those, too. Categories can be allowed or entirely forbidden, or parents can choose to get a warning if their child tries to access relevant pages – a welcome middle-ground option – and age-based filtering is also available if you’ve got older children who can be allowed access to certain categories. Filtering can be paused, and there’s a Safe Search tool to allow children to search without coming across inappropriate material.

Safe Kids can also monitor and block applications – you can prevent your children accessing apps that fall foul of sixteen different categories alongside apps that can’t be categorized, and those categories include social media and file-sharing tools. You can also choose to allow, block or limit usage of every app on your children’s devices, and parents can put time limits on individual apps. You’ll also get a notification if your children install a new app on their device.

(Image credit: Kaspersky Safe Kids)

Kaspersky Safe Kids: Parent options

There are good time control options elsewhere in Kaspersky Safe Kids: parents can give their children time limits and schedules, and they can be customized on a day-by-day basis – so your kids can have more generous time allowances at the weekend, for instance.

Kaspersky Safe Kids has location monitoring. It’s a neat portion of the app that allows parents to see exactly where their kids are at any given time. This app also has geo-fencing, which means that you can set a specific area where your kids should be – and get alerts if they leave. These safe zones can be paired up with time windows, so you’ll get an alert if your children leave school during the day, for instance. There’s also an alert if your children’s phones are going to run out of battery, which is smart – because those location services won’t work if their phone is out of juice. The only issue here is that those safe zones could be a little smaller, so parents could have finer control over the geo-fencing they create for their children.

Kaspersky Safe Kids works on Windows devices, macOS machines, Android phones and iOS hardware and, as usual, it functions by installing an app on your children’s devices and a monitoring app on the parents’ hardware. That parent app can be used to see what’s going on, and a browser-based dashboard is also available. Beyond all these features, basic text message and phone call monitoring are also included on Android, but not on iOS.

This software has great location options, versatile time allowance settings and good filtering settings, but there are other areas where this more affordable product doesn’t stack up. Social networking, for instance: Safe Kids can monitor your kids’ behaviour on Facebook, and it can monitor and block their YouTube search history, but that’s it when it comes to social networking – Kaspersky Safe Kids can’t tackle popular networks like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Rival apps do go further in other key areas, too. Plenty of other tools have more filtering categories than Kaspersky – including popular option Qustodio. Kaspersky Safe Kids also doesn’t work on Chromebooks. And, as usual with parental control software, you’re better off monitoring Android devices rather than iOS hardware: on Apple’s platform you can’t monitor app usage or block device access, and browser-based filtering only works on iOS if you use Kaspersky’s own browser. This product is far more versatile on other platforms.

Kaspersky Safe Kids: App and free trial

While Kaspersky Safe Kids does work on virtually all the big web browsers, it’s also worth mentioning that it doesn’t work on every single browser out there. If you and your children use Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and other big names, you’ll be fine, but Safe Kids doesn’t cover every eventuality.

There’s a free version of Kaspersky Safe Kids available, too, although we wouldn’t recommend it – the free version omits screen time scheduling, GPS tracking abilities, real-time alerts, and YouTube monitoring and the proper version remains very affordable.

The low price does mean that Safe Kids isn’t particularly impressive in certain areas: it’s not great for social networking, other tools have more content categories and Kaspersky isn’t powerful on iOS.

Should you try Kaspersky Safe Kids?

Those limitations are always worth remembering, but Safe Kids fights back with great location options, impressive time-management tools, and solid core functionality when it comes to browser and app filtering. If you want decent parental control without spending loads of cash, then it’s a solid option – but be aware of its lack of social networking ability.

Webroot SecureAnywhere review

Luke Edwards — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:14:53 +0000

If you've been looking for the best antivirus software out there but don't want a heavy beast that slows down your device then Webroot Secureanywhere is worth a look. It's up there as one of the best internet security software options thanks to a great combination of power and price.

Like most antivirus solutions there are a few tiers to pick from, hopefully tailoring the features ideally to your needs. Grab the basic Antivirus entry option to save a buck, go for Internet Security Plus to get more device coverage and extra features. Or go full safety with the Internet Security Complete package.

We'll guide you through the selection and their differences so you can find the best option for you in this Webroot SecureAnywhere review.

Webroot SecureAnywhere: AntiVirus

$29.99 annually.
Light footed antivirus solution.

This is Webroot SecureAnywhere's entry option with antivirus protection as its core. That is not a bad thing though. Many of the features in the other packages could be surplus to your requirements so don't write this one off because it's minimal.

In fact minimalism is one of the greatest appeals here with a very clean build that puts very little strain on your processing power. This uses cloud based brains while the imprint on your machine is very small at just 4MB for the installer. A smart way of working that's proved viable from many testing results.

While this will keep your laptop zipping along quickly it also offers intelligent support that adapts to attacks, even when they're new. While this works on both PC and Mac, it is a web-based security system so requires an internet connection. But since that's the way in for attacks anyway this isn't an issue.

A full scan at installation is standard, with checks for malware, analyzing installed applications, establishing a baseline and optimizing performance for your system.

(Image credit: Webroot Secureanywhere)

Webroot will let new, unknown programs run, but under strict monitoring. If the brain in the cloud deems it a threat, everything from the point of recognition can be rolled back. This got the software a Level 2 certification from MRG-Effitas testing, meaning while it didn't immediately wipe out all threats, it did remove them all within 24 hours.

Malware work was similarly excellent with 100 percent of malware removed, including all ransomware attacks and phishing also.

Webroot SecureAnywhere: Internet Security Plus

$44.99 annually.
Includes smartphone and tablet cover.

The Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus package sits in the middle, offering another layer of security on top of that which the basic deal delivers. This takes the cover beyond your computer to smartphones and tablets.

At time of publishing the app is available on both Android and iOS but they're not identical. The iOS version protection comprises secure browsing and password management but not the scanning and blocking of iOS apps.

You get coverage for up to five devices at the same time for this package. There is an option for a VPN with WiFi scanning, but you need to pay extra for this add-on.

Webroot SecureAnywhere: Internet Security Complete

$59.99 annually.
25GB online cloud storage.

The top end Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete deal offers you, on top of everything listed above, the addition of free cloud storage and online activity protection.

This top-tier deal gets you 25GB of online cloud storage which is, of course, totally secure. This will also cover you for up to five devices at once, including smartphones, Macs, PCs and tablets.

You get a high level of online identity, shopping and banking protection. This is protected against the likes of keyloggers, spyware and other threats online. The mobile specific browser protection furthers this security for web use when on the move. This blocks malicious websites and phishing attacks before you even load them.

There is a dedicated Secure Web Browser for iOS devices but also offers a high-level of protection for Android based browsing use.

How good is Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus?

Super low impact on device performance
Powerful cloud based intervention

Now this is where things start to get a little tricky. When evaluating antivirus software and their capabilities, we lean on industry experts like AV Test and AV Comparatives. These specialist websites perform regular and extensive testing on all of the top antivirus software to determine how effective they are at blocking malware attacks, while also evaluating the effects that software has on your computer’s performance. Great, so what’s the issue?

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus isn’t on either of these websites’ regular testing schedules, so they only have limited data on Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus’s performance.

In 2019, AV Test found a 99.3 percent chance of detection of malware, compared to an industry average of 99.8 percent. Protection against 0-day malware was far lower than the industry average of 97.1 percent at a high of 81.1 percent. While these test results aren't amazing, they may not take into account how Webroot works, with that rollback system that removes threats and effects within 24 hours. So take any negativity here with a pinch of salt.

AV Test found that the performance score was an impressive 5.5 out of 6 with factors like slowing down when launching popular websites at an average of 16 percent but just 12 percent for Webroot.

As for AV Comparatives, it hasn’t covered a Webroot product since 2012. Given its performance in the AV Test evaluation though, it’s easy to see why. There are just far more effective programs out there to protect your devices with. Based on this limited, but rather worrying data, we can’t recommend Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus over the competition. It’s better than no antivirus, but that’s about the best we can say.

Webroot Secureanywhere review: Price

We’ve already covered the prices of the various options that Webroot Secureanywhere offers but we’ve collated them here for your convenience:

Webroot Secureanywhere: Antivirus - $29.99 annually.
Webroot Secureanywhere: Internet Security Plus - $44.99 annually.
Webroot Secureanywhere: Internet Security Complete - $59.99 annually.

OK, so Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus isn’t as good as the big names in the field. That’s to be expected, but if the price is right then it still might be a compelling option for people on a tight budget, right? Wrong.

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus costs $29.99 to cover a single device for a year. For that price, you could get three devices covered using Bitdefender Antivirus. You can also get coverage for three devices for $37.49 for the first year, but this is more expensive than just about any other service. And if you really only need a single device covered then you could get Norton 360 Antivirus for $19.99 for the first year.

There are some savings to be made if you pay for multiple years up front, but the competition offers these deals too, so Webroot still ends up being more expensive than its rivals.

Should you buy Webroot Secureanywhere?

No. Short and sweet, but that’s the truth of it. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus has an incredibly spartan feature set and performs significantly worse than every other antivirus program that we reviewed in industry standard tests - if it can even get into the testing pools at all. To top it all off, Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus isn’t even any cheaper than its rivals, in fact it's more expensive than some of the biggest names in the game.

None of this is to say that Webroot is bad - it's just that the rest of the pack is better. It’s certainly better than having no protection on your computer, but considering the fact that you can get Avast Free Antivirus for the princely sum of zero dollars, we can’t even recommend it as a last resort. AVG Antivirus is another good option for free so be sure to check out our AVG vs Webroot showdown feature for more details. If you’re running an antique computer from the land that time forgot and nothing else will run on it, this might be your best option. Otherwise, avoid.

Paid-for user reviews a huge problem for sites like Amazon - here's how to spot the fakes

andy.hartup@futurenet.com (Andy Hartup) — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 15:07:52 +0000

According to UK consumer site Which? there is a thriving global business centered on the generation and promotion of fake user reviews for sites like Amazon and other large retailers. The research, recently published by the site, claims that there are over 702,000 fake reviewers out there, who are incentivized by at least five of the ten businesses that Which? investigated. Some are paid to write false reviews of products, while others are given large discounts, or free products, in exchange for favorable reviews and the upvoting of other fake reviews.

So, how are these sites gaming the system? Many simply sell packages of fake reviews to third-party sellers on sites like Amazon. According to Which? one company called AMZTigers “sells them individually for around £13, or in bulk packages starting at £620 for 50 reviews”. That’s around $15 per review, and $650 for 50. Some sites offer subscription packages, according to the report, which can provide companies with ten positive reviews per month, with 50 upvotes to other positive reviews.

Some sites, which primarily operate via Facebook groups, arrange free items or discounted goods for anyone willing to write positive reviews, regardless of the quality of the product itself. And, most troubling of all, is that some companies - according to the Which? report - buy the contact information of Amazon customers and message them directly (unsolicited) to ask for positive reviews in exchange for rewards or remuneration.

Amazon itself claims to analyze over 10m user reviews annually, to attempt to guarantee authenticity, but it certainly can’t check every single one. It has also taken legal action against several companies to stop them from trading in user reviews, but this hasn’t stopped the business of selling fake customer reviews at all.

(Image credit: Future)

How do you spot a fake user review?

With the increasing sophistication of fake user reviews on sites like Amazon, it can be tough to separate what’s genuine from what’s false. In the report, Which? identified sites that provide guidance to its fake reviewers on ‘how to create a credible review’, including the use of images and certain word counts. However, there are ways to make sure that the information you read on large retail sites, from users, is genuine. And if you’re at all worried about whether the site itself is trustworthy, some of the best credit cards offer fraud protection, so you can shop with more confidence.

1. Use a browser app
As fake reviews become smarter, so does the technology to spot them. We recommend something like Fakespot, which is a completely free browser extension designed to analyze pages for fake and untrustworthy user reviews. You can find Fakespot here. It doesn’t download anything to your PC or Mac - it just adds an extension to your web browser. When you arrive on a product page on any of the sites it covers - like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy - you can scan all reviews on that page with the click of a button. The information you get back, after a few seconds, tells you what percentage of reviews are likely to be authentic, and an adjusted user review score to reflect what people actually think of the product.

2. Check the date
How many user reviews of the product were posted in the same week, or on the same day? How long has the product been available? If you see large clusters of reviews dated in the same day or week, or you find that a product which has only been available for a few weeks has somehow amassed hundreds or thousands of user reviews… they’re probably fakes. Once you dig deeper, you’ll likely find that these reviews are short, repeat each other, and contain very little actual information.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Look for reviews that cover multiple products
As strange as it may sound, some reviews are designed to be copied and pasted across multiple products. So if you see a phone charger also referencing positive aspects of a printer and a rucksack, for example, this review is likely bogus. You may also find that fake user reviews contain images of products that are unrelated to the review, or that there are a number of generic images attached to that review, which add little or no value to the words.

4. Check products on reliable review sites
If you’re buying a $10 HDMI cable and you’re suckered by fake reviews… it isn’t the end of the world. If you’re buying a $400 TV and you fall for false reviews, that is a much bigger problem. Our advice is that if you’re buying a more expensive product, you should always look at a couple of proper, professionally written reviews before you buy. Even if you disagree with them, and you buy anyway, you’re going into the purchase with your eyes open, and know that while it isn’t as perfect as the user reviews suggest, you are happy with what you’re actually getting.

If you’re ever in doubt about buying a product online, you should always check the returns and refunds policy on that item. While it may be inconvenient to return an item, and pay for additional shipping, at least you won’t lose your money completely if it turns out to be a dud.

If you’re concerned about people accessing your data and contacting you about user reviews, we always recommend using any of the best VPN services to mask your IP address, and considering identity theft protection services if you are seriously worried.

It turns out that the worst password isn’t 'password'... it’s nothing at all

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 17:55:20 +0000

It’s funny to joke about people using “password” as their password, but it turns out that almost a third of us aren’t even that advanced when it comes to protecting our smart devices. We’re talking about things like smart lights, smart locks and smart speakers here rather than your actual computers and phones.

According to a study by Avira’s IoT research team, 34% of all cyber attacks on smart devices occur because there is no password set to access that device. The most common smart device attacks center on gadgets like smart TVs and smart cameras. Hackers usually start by trying a series of default and common usernames and passwords - things like “admin” and “support”, the sum of which accounted for 22% of all other hacks into smart devices.

Since attacks where no password was required were more common than where often used default passwords were used, this suggests that many smart devices don’t come with any password protection by default. So, what does this mean for you and how can you ensure that your smart devices are protected?

Protecting your smart devices

The biggest takeaway from this finding is that you should manually set your own username and password for all of your smart devices when you first buy them. While this is easy on something like a smartphone, it’s less immediately obvious on a smart device that doesn’t have a screen. Fortunately, most smart devices have a user interface that is accessible via your home computer or laptop.

Simply follow the instructions in your gadget’s user manual (and if you’ve lost that or thrown it away, search online for the user manual, as most manufacturers keep online copies too).

Keeping your devices updated is also important. Most smart devices will automatically update themselves with the latest software updates so long as they have a connection to the internet, but others will need you to manually update them (usually via a smartphone app).

It’s also worth noting that all your smart devices will be connecting to the internet via your router, so it’s important to make sure that you have one of the best WiFi routers with built-in security features too. Oh, and make sure you have a secure password setup for connecting to your router too (both for connecting to the internet and accessing the user interface).

Twitter accounts hacked in Bitcoin scam: How to avoid the scammers

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:40:39 +0000

Twitter suffered an unprecedented hack last night which seems to have been tied to a bitcoin scam. Hackers gained access to the an unknown, but substantial number of verified Twitter accounts including those of many famous and influential people like Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Apple, Michael Bloomberg, Elon Musk, and many more. These accounts were used to send tweets linking people to a bitcoin scam, offering people a chance to double their money if they sent bitcoin to the hackers.

Twitter responded to the hack by temporarily blocking posts from all verified users on the platform, regardless of whether they had been compromised, in an effort to curb the effects of the hack.

Most shockingly of all, it looks like Twitter’s internal employee tools and systems were used in the hack, as confirmed by a series of Twitter Support tweets today.

We detected what we believe to be a coordinated social engineering attack by people who successfully targeted some of our employees with access to internal systems and tools.July 16, 2020

While there is no official word on what these tools were or how they were accessed, Motherboard reported that various underground hacking communities had been sharing screenshots of what appears to be an internal admin tool which is used to reset account email addresses and recover passwords.

While verified users having their accounts hacked is terrible enough on its own, the end goal of this gargantuan hack seems to have been to spread a bitcoin scam using high profile and trustworthy individuals’ Twitter accounts. Hacked accounts posted a link claiming that if users sent an amount of bitcoin, the user would send back double.

What to do if you were affected by the Twitter hack?

If your account itself was compromised, it may still currently be locked by Twitter so you won’t be able to login at all. Contact Twitter Support if this is the case. Verified accounts that were not compromised have since had their posting privileges returned to them. Twitter doesn’t store financial information so there shouldn’t be any immediate risk there, but hackers may have access to your login details and any other personal information on there, including private messages.

If your Twitter account uses the same login details as any other accounts, we’d recommend you change those immediately. If you’re able to change your Twitter login details, do that too but do not use the same password as you do for anything else. We’d recommend you get a password manager if you struggle to remember multiple passwords - many of the best internet security software come with a password manager.

Avoiding online scams

While the scam might seem obvious to some, plenty of people appear to have been tricked by this bitcoin scam, and it’s easy to see why. Some of the most trusted and reputable people and companies in the world had posted offering people a chance to double their money.

The general rule you should follow online is that if something seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. If you see links online that make offers along the lines of “send us money, and we’ll send more back” then do not click on them. It is always a scam. Report posts like this when you see them so that Twitter, or any other relevant social media platform, can remove them as soon as possible.

Beyond that, make sure you're doing everything you can to stay safe and anonymous online. We'd highly recommend signing up to one of the best VPN services, as these mask your location and prevent hackers from piecing together more about you based on your location data.

Amazon Prime has launched an on-site Watch Party feature - here's how to use it

millie.fender@futurenet.com (Millie Fender) — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 16:24:12 +0000

With in-person movie nights suspended, watch parties have become a lockdown essential. First Netflix, and then Hulu made it easy to watch TV streaming services online with friends, and now Amazon Prime Video is enabling users to remotely watch TV shows and movies from respective homes, together. When Hulu Watch Party launched, it was only available to those with a more expensive subscription. Netflix Parties are only available through an external browser add-on. Amazon Prime’s Watch Party is different, because it’s available to all Amazon Prime subscribers and is hosted on-site, with no need for a browser attachment. Essentially, it rolls together what we liked from Netflix and Hulu’s offerings - it’s free, and is hosted on-site from your desktop or laptop.

Amazon Prime Video’s watch party can host up to 100 people. Maybe we’re just woefully unpopular, but this is probably more than we’ll ever need. For the super-popular among us though, it’s a nice touch. Every member of your viewing party will need an Amazon Prime subscription, but there’s a free 30-day trial for anyone who doesn’t have it.

Amazon Prime Video's Watch Party: How it works

(Image credit: Amazon)

Open Amazon Prime Video
Choose a show or movie to watch
Click on the Watch Party icon, which will appear underneath the title
A private URL will be created – share it with anyone you want to invite to your viewing party

You can also click on the ‘Chat’ tab to send a message. One thing to be aware of is that the creator of the Watch Party takes control, so consider before sending out the URL who is best placed to host. What should you watch? Well, award-winning British comedy "Fleabag" is currently a favorite on Amazon Prime Video, as is "The Marvelous Mrs Maisel", but there’s a massive selection of movies and TV shows to choose between.

Popular Android apps have been stealing your Facebook details - Here's how to secure your smartphone

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:03:02 +0000

Android users have once again been warned to stay vigilant and keep their smartphone security measures up to date after it was found that 25 popular Android apps were sneaking malware onto users’ smartphones, letting hackers scrape Facebook login details off infected devices.

The malware was uncovered by French cybersecurity company Evina, who discovered a total of 25 popular Android apps which were infected with this malware. Between them, these apps had been downloaded over 2.3 million times with the most popular app among them, Super Wallpapers Flashlight, having 500,000 installs by itself. Many of these apps had been live on the Android store since early 2019, while the oldest had been live since 2017, though we do not know when it was updated to include this malware.

But what did this malware do and how did it steal your Facebook login details? The malware contained code that meant it could detect what apps you had open on your smartphone. If it detected that Facebook was open, it would immediately open a web browser window over the top of that app containing a fake Facebook login screen, tricking users into thinking that they had been logged out and needed to re enter their details. When users reentered their username and password, this information would be sent to a remote server instead.

Evina reported knowledge of this malware and the apps that it infected to Google at the end of May, and Google has just this week finished removing the offending software from the Play Store, while also disabling the apps on any devices that it has already been installed on. Users who have the software installed will receive a message from the Play protect service notifying them if this has happened.

What can you do if your device was infected?

The first thing you need to do is make sure that none of these software are still installed on your smartphone. Google has taken steps as we mentioned above, but they will only have taken effect if your device has been connected to the internet via WiFi or mobile network.

Once you’re sure the program is gone, your next step should be to reset your Facebook login details. To be safe, we’d recommend doing this on a different device to the one that was infected. You could also perform a factory reset on your smartphone if you really want to take the “nuke it from orbit” option, but make sure you have your photos, contacts, etc. backed up first.

Keeping your smartphone safe

Computer viruses and malware used to be the reserve of home computers and laptops, but these days just about any smart device can be hacked or infected with malware. Most smartphones have built-in virus and malware protection, but we’d also recommend getting, as a dedicated solution on top of that.

Many of the best internet security software packages cover Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, and they offer multi device coverage so you can protect all your online devices with one package. You could also consider getting one of the best VPN services on your smartphone to keep your connections encrypted when you’re surfing the web - this is especially important if you often use free public WiFi, as these connections are unsecure.

Huawei designated a ‘national security threat’ by FCC - so, what does this mean for Huawei phone owners?

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 11:15:33 +0000

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei has been hit with another huge blow in its ongoing struggles with the US government, as the FCC has declared that it has officially recognized Huawei as a threat to national security, following an extensive investigation and advice from the US government.

This decision from the FCC hasn’t come out of the blue, in fact it started proceedings back in November 2019. This meant that the commission's $8.3 billion a year universal service fund could not be used to purchase or maintain Huawei products, effectively shutting the door on dealings with most US based companies and Huawei. This latest ruling is the final decision of the commission, based on all the evidence it has collected in the last eight months.

"Based on the overwhelming weight of evidence, the Bureau has designated Huawei and ZTE as national security risks to America's communications networks and to our 5G future," said FCC Chair Ajit Pai in a statement released on Tuesday. "Both companies have close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China's military apparatus."

So what does this mean for Huawei and its dealing with the USA? And more importantly, what does this mean for Huawei fans and owners of its existing smartphones?

What does this mean for Huawei in the US?

The long and short of it for Huawei is that the tech manufacturer’s dealing with US companies will continue to shrink. Companies can’t use US government funds and grants to buy equipment from the Chinese technology firm, so they will have to go elsewhere, shutting Huawei out of a large portion of the telecommunications market.

We wouldn’t expect to see Huawei devices making a return to US stores anytime soon, which is a shame considering they make some of the best smartphones for camera enthusiasts and gamers.

What does this mean for existing Huawei customers?

Huawei devices that were released before May 2019 will still continue to get updates from services like Google Play, Windows etc. so your existing smartphone will continue to function as normal. Newer handsets released after this point were blocked from pre-loading services from US companies, so smartphones like the Huawei P40 don’t come with Google Play Store or any associated apps pre-installed.

While the same rules largely apply to tablets, which typically run on Android operating systems like smartphones do, Huawei’s laptops are in a different situation thanks to Microsoft settling a deal with the US Department of Commerce back in November 2019, which stated that it had a license to export mass-market software to Huawei. This means Huawei laptops will still come with Windows and Office products, and will still receive Windows updates.

So, in reality, nothing changes for you right now. This ruling just signifies that nothing will be changing anytime soon. As a result, Huawei phones will become a much less common sight over the next few years as people replace their existing smartphones and - in all likelihood - avoid Huawei devices in future purchases. Huawei laptops are less affected, but they’re still hard to find in the US at the moment. We’d suggest that you think long and hard before purchasing a Huawei smartphone or tablet, as they will likely continue to lose support and updates in the US. Laptops are fine, for now, but we would also advise looking at equivalent models from competitors like Dell and Lenovo, who are not considered to be national security threats.

How do you get computer viruses?

Dave Harfield — Thu, 14 May 2020 16:22:49 +0000

Unfortunately, there are many answers to the question: 'How do you get computer viruses?' with potential sources including application downloads, email and text messages, social media scam links and even smartphone apps. Much like a biological virus, computer viruses need a host to spread and have the ability to replicate themselves. In this case though, the host can be a legitimate-looking application or document that the user unwittingly installs or opens, allowing the virus to infect the computer's operating system and files, and even steal personal data and passwords.

It’s an unfortunate fact that most viruses are actually downloaded and installed by the user and although this can be avoided by ensuring you have the best antivirus software installed, you can further protect yourself by reading our guide to the different methods of infection If you want to increase your knowledge even more, read our round-up of 10 of the worst computer viruses you can get.

1. Via Download

Computer viruses frequently hide themselves in legitimate-looking software including games, demos and free utilities or programs, so when downloading software always perform a quick sense-check on the website. Is it plagued with pop-ups or cheap ads of a dubious nature? A quick Google of the site or company's name is also a good idea, as is scanning the download with a good antivirus program like Bitdefender. If you’re downloading pirated versions of software or games, then there’s a very good chance they’ll contain malware, so don’t!

2. Via Email

Another common method of delivering a virus is via email. This can be spam but can also appear to have been sent by someone you know, as some viruses are capable of emailing themselves to everyone in an infected user's email address book.

Again, most good antivirus software will detect these as they arrive, Norton 360 features some great email protection, but it’s good practice never to open an email attachment that you weren’t expecting or which looks suspicious. This includes MS Office documents which can include Macro viruses.

3. Via Bad Links

Links to malicious websites can appear in lots of different places including emails, social media posts, texts messages, forums, online ads and even other websites. Once clicked, the malicious sites they lead to can perform a number of actions that can harm the running of your computer including reading files, accessing sensitive information and transferring viruses.

This is often done through use of an Exploit Kit, a toolkit that probes your computer for software that’s not been updated, identifying any security holes and implanting the malware. Good antivirus software will pick them up, for instance Kaspersky comes with web filtering to block dangerous URLs, but it also pays to avoid clicking on links that appear in online ads and pop-ups and cancelling any download prompts that might appear. Also, ensure that you install all available updates to your operating system and software as and when the manufacturer releases them.

Common sense and care

As well as installing a solid antivirus, or upgrading to one of the best internet security software, the most effective way to protect yourself from computer viruses is by being careful, avoiding suspicious links and downloads, and keeping your computer's operating system up to date.

10 of the worst computer viruses you can get

Dave Harfield — Mon, 11 May 2020 11:59:03 +0000

The worst computer viruses can destroy anything from a single program to your entire computer system, eradicating important files, putting personal data at risk and requiring a full reformat of your hard drive to get things working again. If you've spent a lot of money on one of the best home computers or best laptops you can afford, you need to know how to protect them, and what to protect them against.

There are well over 100,000 known computer viruses and although only a small percentage exist “in the wild” they remain widespread, posing a serious threat to your computer. Viruses are also used by hackers to gain access to your system and steal personal information including bank details and passwords. So it’s certainly important that you know about the different types of virus that can infect and affect your personal computer. This guide explains ten of the worst types of past and recent computer viruses and provides simple solutions for avoiding them. When you’ve finished, be sure to read about the best antivirus software to ensure you have the best possible protection.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

1. Browser hijacker

Imagine typing in an internet address and automatically bouncing through several different sites. When this happens, a browser hijacker is usually responsible for the incident. Unfortunately, hijackers are often attached to appealing toolbars, programs and other free downloads you choose. Thankfully, a good security program can detect nearly all of these.

2. Stealth virus

As the name suggests, Stealth Viruses can stay undetected for an extended period of time and conceal the changes they make to an infected system. Like other malware, they hijack a wide range of system tasks and can adversely affect performance, concealing themselves from antivirus programs by copying to another location and replacing themselves with a clean file. They can be tricky to eradicate, but a high-end solution such as Kaspersky Internet Security can detect and remove them.

3. File infector

One of the most common types of computer virus is a file infector. These viruses attach to host files (.exe), which means they usually stick to files you use often. The virus will run any time you open or run the file, and it can even take over the file completely. The best way to combat a file infector virus is with a good antivirus program like Bitdefender or Norton 360 Antivirus.

(Image credit: Bitdefender)

4. Macro virus

This is another type of file-based virus which attaches to files like Microsoft Excel and Word documents, along with other applications that support macros (the famous Melissa virus being a well known example). A Macro virus will not only infect the user, but also his/her friends and colleagues by emailing itself to their contact list. A trusted antivirus solution will scan incoming mails, but it’s also good practice not to open unsolicited attachments from strangers or suspicious-looking emails from friends.

5. Multipartite virus

A very infectious type of virus that uses multiple methods to spread. They can perform unauthorized actions in the operating system and have the ability to infect both executable files and the boot sector. A telltale sign may be constant error messages warning of low virtual memory, as multipartite viruses consume memory while spreading to executable files.

6. Polymorphic Virus

A particularly nasty type of virus that is hard to detect due to their ability to encrypt and change their coding every time they infect a system. So how can you protect against them? Kaspersky Internet Security advise; “one of the simplest ways to protect against adaptive code is to have the right type of security solution in place. A high-quality antivirus solution has the ability to deploy a far more comprehensive range of tools and algorithms to recognize and deal with a wider range of threats.” It also pays to employ vigilance and good judgement when downloading email attachments and spotting websites that may be compromised.

(Image credit: Future)

7. Direct Action Virus

Direct Action Viruses aren’t as common these days, although they were capable of causing a great deal of damage in the past. As the name suggests, they would only activate when the file or program they were attached to was executed, ceasing to run once the program was terminated. Any good security solution will detect and remove this type of virus, including free services like Avast Free Antivirus.

8. FAT Virus

FAT viruses ruin your file allocation system, which is where information about files, and where to find them, exists. It will destroy files and entire directories.

9. Web Scripting Virus

These viruses live within the coding used to construct websites and can either be included deliberately by malicious sites, or unknowingly on sites infected by hackers. Either way it pays to be cautious about the sites you visit, as web scripting viruses carry malicious codes that can infect your computer when you click links or watch videos. In our tests F-Secure did an excellent job in blocking sites we knew had either a malicious link or virus download.

(Image credit: Kaspersky)

10. Memory Resident Virus

This form of computer virus is very destructive. It embeds itself in the computer's memory to carry out operations. This means whenever you run your operating system, the virus is working. It has varying effects, but it will clear up space on your computer for its own use by corrupting and deleting your files.

Windows has long been the operating system most targeted by hackers and viruses but there are also threats aimed at the Mac OS, so Apple users shouldn’t consider themselves immune. Also, it’s not just your desktop that’s at risk. Although there’s technically no smartphone malware that will replicate itself to spread like a PC virus can, there is a growing amount aimed at Android devices that can steal passwords and other personal data. Thankfully, many of the security packages listed in our best internet security software guide have all you need to stay protected, no matter what device you're using. This software will also scan downloads and sites in advance, offer malware detection and removal and block outside attempts to access your desktop or mobile device. The peace of mind they offer is worth every cent.

Critical security flaws found in two of the top VPNs, according to VPNpro report

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Wed, 06 May 2020 16:07:54 +0000

Online security is becoming increasingly important as we move deeper into the digital age. Gone are the days of just installing the best antivirus software you can find. Now you needed complete internet security software, VPNs, and password protectors.

But it seems that not even these measures make our online activities bullet proof, as a report from VPNpro has revealed that two of the top VPNs for PC, PrivateVPN and Betternet, both had vulnerabilities in their software that let hackers intercept the VPN’s communications. These security flaws even allowed hackers to install fake software updates through the app.

Using these security flaws, hackers could have been able to install programs onto devices that would allow them to steal personal information including online banking data which could be used to make purchases. They would also be able to secretly install ransomware on peoples’ devices and even gain access to their photos, videos and private messages. All in all, this is a huge security failure, especially for a VPN which is designed to improve people’s online security.

How was the flaw discovered?

VPNpro staff tested the top 20 VPNs by trying to install a fake update through them following a series of steps. The team checked to see if they could intercept a VPNs connection and communications, and then downloaded and attempted to install the fake update. Of the top twenty, only two failed to stop all of these stages, allowing the fake update to be installed.

When it discovered the vulnerability back in February, VPNpro informed both PrivateVPN and Betternet, both of whom have since fixed the issues and plugged the breach. PrivateVPN was able to fix the issue by March 26th, while Betternet patched the issue out on April 14.

You can see the full results of VPNpro’s testing at the VPNpro website, where you will be encouraged to see that all of the products listed in our best VPN service guide including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish managed to block VPNpro’s hacking attempt at some stage, with the vast majority of them not even allowing the team to intercept the connection.

So while this might be a temporary blow for the credibility of PrivateVPN and Betternet, it shows how robust the rest of the top 20 VPNs security systems are. Every cloud has a silver lining after all.

Using Zoom and other virtual meeting apps is putting you at risk of identity theft - here's how to stay safe

Sophie Kaemmerle — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 14:43:48 +0000

In the past few weeks, teleconferencing has taken on a whole new and important role in our lives. People who are able to work from home have been telecommuting, communicating with colleagues over video apps like Zoom, GoToMeeting, and more. Students are learning from home, tuning into classes via the same apps. And finally, as we're on lock down and for the most part, staying home and unable to see our friends, family, and other loved ones, we're connecting with those people via those very same apps.

We knew it before, but now we have the stats to prove it: teleconferencing can put your personal information at risk. According to a data sheet by IdentityForce, which ranks as our top pick of the best identity theft protection services, an increase of 400% in video conferencing has led to an increase in information leaks. In the month of April alone, over 500,000 Zoom account credentials were found for sale on the Dark Web. That means any piece of information you use to sign up or log into these apps, like your bank account number, name, and email address, can fall into the wrong hands - or may already have. Zoom is just one example of a video conferencing app that has its share of privacy concerns as of late.

Protect your identity when teleconferencing

Want to stay protected? IdentityForce has shared its tips to better protect your identity if you have to use these video conferencing apps.

Password protect your meetings: When setting up a video call, you will have the option to password protect the meeting. That means that anyone entering the meeting will have to input the password in order to join, which also means that intruders and unwelcome guests will be kept out. "Zoombombers" are wreaking havoc on Zoom meetings, which has become a disturbing trend.
Check for updates: You don't want to work with outdated software. Make sure that all your programs are up-to-date, so that you have the best and most updated versions of security protection against the latest threats. You don't want hackers getting into your personal files or other information stored on your devices.
Implement a waiting room: This is another layer of protection. It allows video hosts to prevent meeting participants from interacting with one another before the meeting start time. Also consider disabling the "Join Before Host" feature.
Don't share your personal ID: A personal meeting ID is a virtual meeting room reserved for you and you only - so it makes sense that you wouldn't want to share it with anyone. When creating a meeting, don't share your personal meeting ID. Instead, create a whole new ID per session.
Manually enter your meeting ID: If you're invited to a virtual meeting, don't click on the link provided. It's recommended that you manually enter the meeting ID into the conferencing site to ensure that you're actually joining the meeting and not clicking on a nefariously generated link. Even some real links have been shown to accidentally leak user information.
Secure screen-sharing and chat features: If you will be sharing your screen in your meeting and will be the only one, make sure to disable others' ability to share their screens. This can prevent others from sharing their screens when they are not supposed to. Similarly, lock the chat so that no one can send out a malicious link, by accident or otherwise.
Protect your session: Don't let "Zoombombers" interfere. "Lock" your video call after all participants have joined.
Check up on your privacy settings: This can mean anything from checking the privacy policies of the apps you're using to making sure that you're not sharing any personal information over the web.

Identity theft is no joke, and it can take months to reclaim your identity in full. That's why we recommend the best identity theft protection services. If you need to run a video conferencing app, check out our picks for the best laptops to keep working from a home a seamless experience.

Whitepages review

Sophie Kaemmerle — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:58:42 +0000

Whitepages is a people search site - one of the background check services that allows consumers to search any name and see publicly available information about that person. All the information that can be found in Whitepages reports can be found by ways other than a simple online search. Often, addresses, phone numbers, marriage records, and even criminal and traffic records can be found by search a jurisdiction's website, or can be read in their physical form at a public records institution. Websites like Whitepages simply aggregate the digital versions of that information in one place.

That also means that not all publicly available information about a person is included in a Whitepages report, or that all the information you find in a report is correct. Due to the nature of the business, and businesses like it, data may be incorrect, missing, old, or simply associated to the wrong individual. You may even find duplicate profiles for one person, or no profile at all. In our review, we considered the expectation to find at least a few mistakes in the reports we ordered.

Because of the the high likelihood that there will be mistakes in any given report, consumers are not allowed, by law, to use these services in any official capacity. The FCRA law prohibits the use of consumer people search and background checks to determine tenant eligibility, job eligibility, scholarship eligibility, and other reasons as determined by the FCRA.

So, is Whitepages legit?
Whitepages, despite the possibility of mistakes, is a legitimate service that customers pay for to find more information about individuals, whether those people are potential love interests, old classmates, or online sellers or buyers, as examples of use cases.

Whitepages says it has "simple and transparent pricing," but we've found that it's anything but. There are different plans to choose from; from different types of single reports to different types of plans with a limited amount of lookups - and what information is included in every type of access is unclear. There are even two different "services": Whitepages, and Whitepages Premium, although we suspect that the information in Whitepages Premium should be the same information found in a one-time background check report. And of course, there are nearly as many price points as there are plans. The only good aspect is that you can choose between the pay-per-report model and the subscription model.

Whitepages

Plans and reports range from $4.99 to $30, with only one plan above $20. This is cheap compared to most other services of the same kind, like our top pick, Intelius. If figuring out a plan is hard, signing up for your chosen one is easy. Customers can easily access a sign-up page without having to go down the customer funnel.

For the sake of the review, we opted for the "All-Access Plan" which includes contact information, criminal history, and public records. This is a subscription for around $20 a month, allowing for a maximum of 20 lookups a month. We also chose the one-time background report for $9.99, which includes contact details, criminal reports, traffic records, and more.

We noticed that, if quick action isn't taken on the sign-up page, Whitepages will offer a 5-day trial membership for just $1. However, it is unclear as to what information is included in this membership.

Whitepages review: Advantages

Whitepages: Key features

Plans available: Pay-per reports, monthly subscriptions
Cost: $4.99 to $29.98
Extras: criminal, asset, financial, property reports, and more
Additional services: Address search, reverse phone number search
App: Yes (iOS and Android)

There are very few benefits to using Whitepages, but we found its strengths to be in what it can provide the customer before the paywall.

Design and usability
There is no customer funnel, meaning that customers don't have to wait for the service to "search" for results and reports to be generated before signing up and paying. Customers set on using Whitepages can directly access the sign up page (even though there are differences between the plan information pages of Whitepages and Whitepages Premium - even after exploring the website thoroughly, we still can't identify differences in information in similar reports with a vast cost difference).

Pre-paywall information
You may be able to find some free contact information such a current address and a landline phone number before having to pay for the rest. Simply perform a name search and find your target individual - but make sure that the result is not "Sponsored by Whitepages Premium". If it is, you will be prompted to unlock the report and pay. A word of caution: we don't recommend sifting through results by age, which we found was often incorrect. There are known associates and family members and previous addresses that may be better indications of whether or not you are looking at the right report. In fact, if you have a one-time need for someone's basic information and don't want to pay for a people search service, the free version of Whitepages may be a viable service.

Low cost
Depending on your needs and what you're looking for, you pay only pay as little as $4.99 per month for the information in Whitepages reports. This is a relatively low cost, especially when most people search services cost well above $20 a month. You can also choose not to commit and pay per report, although if you are unsure of the search subject's details, the costs may add up.

Report contents
While we found that Whitepages report contents are generally inaccurate and outdated, we were pleasantly surprised by how detailed the criminal record information is in a background check report. The information included the crime type, case number, status, and more.

Additional search functions enabled at no extra cost
We were also pleasantly surprised that additional search functions of reverse phone number and address searches can be used at no extra cost, but accessing the reports counts as a "lookup" if you chose a plan with a maximum of 20 lookups a month.

Whitepages

Whitepages review: Disadvantages

Despite a few advantages, regardless of the plan you choose, we found there are too many disadvantages to allow us to recommend Whitepages.

Search experience
Searching a name in Whitepages is, in a word, a terrible experience. We found that ages are very rarely correct, and there are too many report duplicates for the same person. If you choose to pay per report, you may end up paying a large sum just trying to find the right report. We also found that first names and last names are not registered as such in some instances, and that many unrelated names that are displayed as results bear no resemblance to the name searched for. There is also no way to refine results other than city and state.

Report contents
In all the reports we accessed, most of the information we found was incorrect or outdated in some way. While we accounted for the inevitable mistake here and there due to the nature of people search and background check sites, Whitepages simply had too many for us to seriously recommend paying for it.

We also found that there was insufficient information in reports in general, which cannot justify paying for Whitepages.

Plan options and cost
Cost is by far the greatest disadvantage of using Whitepages as a paying customer. Firstly, the complex plan options are unclear and hidden. Many potential customers may not even be aware of plan options beyond what they see on the page they landed on. While the most basic plan is relatively cheap, the shady concealing of other plans may be the company's effort to encourage paying for add-on information.

Secondly, those add-ons come at a much higher cost, and can quickly add up. From the description, we assumed that an "All-access" subscription provided criminal report information. The truth is that how you pay for that information depends on the report you access. If the person you searched for doesn't have a criminal, financial or legal history, any known licenses and permits, or any property records, "unlocking" a background check report only costs you credits that come with your subscription (a detail again not specified at the time of sign-up). However, if there is any information that falls into those categories, you will have to pay an extra $21 for it, on top of your subscription. To access criminal information for two people on top of a monthly subscription, we paid over $50, plus taxes. In short, background check information is free as long as there's nothing to see. We believe that the lack of clarity is deliberate, and between that, the accumulating cost, and the unreliability of the service, we found no evidence that anyone should pay to use Whitepages.

Whitepages review: Customer experience and service

In terms of customer experience while using Whitepages, we found that a positive or negative experience is heavily reliant on the use case and purpose of a search. While there's nothing particularly unpleasant in using the website, aside from paying for it, we're sure users will appreciate the lack of customer funnel, which ends up being a major pain point for customers using people search services that have them.

If you are unsatisfied, Whitepages's customer service representatives are available over the phone and by email, although service hours are unclear.

Whitepages: User reviews

Whitepages user reviews are overwhelmingly negative. Many users express not just disappointment, but anger that their information appears on the site. Though this isn't uncommon for any and all consumer people search sites, it's important to know that Whitepages and similar services obtain people's information through legal, albeit sneaky means. That being said, many users complain that their requests to opt were not honored.

There are also many complaints about being charged beyond the first bill. This may simply be a matter of confusion, as, generally speaking, subscription charges are not clearly outlined. Most users have called Whitepages a "scam," and accused the company of "false advertising" because of the scant information or false information. Even taking into account user error, we largely agree that Whitepages is generally not worth paying for, even if it is not a scam.

Should you choose Whitepages?

Due to the overwhelming amount of negative reviews and our own experience of seeing mostly false information in reports, having difficulty searching, confusing subscription options, and abnormally high cost, we think that Whitepages is best used in its "free" form. There is no cumbersome funnel, so users can look up and name and find some basic information such as a landline phone number and address - but otherwise we recommend other services like Truthfinder or Instant Checkmate if you're looking for more in-depth information.

How to remove your information from Whitepages

We think that Whitepages's opt-out process is a little more complex than it needs to be, and essentially, one must already have an account and be a paying customer in order to request to opt-out. First, find your profile, copy the URL, and submit it through the Opt-Out Site page. There is also a verification process that Whitepages uses to make sure that the profile submitted for opting out was sent by the person themselves. This includes matching phone numbers, but if information in a Whitepages report is incorrect, we are unclear as to what happens to an opt-out request.

How to cancel a Whitepages subscription

Consumers who opted for one-time reports don't have to worry about getting charged at the beginning of every billing cycle.

However, if you opted for a subscription, you will need to cancel to stop getting charged. Simply find your profile home page and click on the "Account Settings" tab. You should see a button that says "Cancel Autorenew." You will be prompted to answer questions concerning your decision to cancel your subscription, but as long as you click "cancel" you should receive a confirmation.

Unprotected database leaves millions of sales records exposed; eBay, Shopify, and Paypal users be aware

Sophie Kaemmerle — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:57:06 +0000

A database containing millions of shoppers' personal information was left exposed, online, without any password protection by a software vendor used by smaller retailers in the European Union.

The website Comparitech first reported the information leak. According to the source, the software vendor's app pulled sales records from payment systems like those of Amazon UK, eBay, Shopify, PayPal, and Stripe. About half of the data exposed came from Amazon UK and eBay. Those sales records included information like customer names, email addresses, shipping addresses, purchases, and the last four digits of credit card numbers, among other types of data.

Then, the database, made up of almost 8 million sales records, was published on the web. It was made available on search engines, and anyone was able to access that information without a password.

Shoppers' personal data was reportedly exposed for five days before it was shut down.

Why did this happen?

Shoppers may ask themselves why this third-party app had access to their information to begin with. The vendor's app was meant to pull sales records from Amazon UK and others in order to calculate value-added taxes for different EU countries.

What does this mean for online shoppers?

Shoppers who have used Amazon UK, PayPal, and other affected organizations should be wary. Their information was made public for five days, which means that there is a chance that anyone could have used that data or sold it to scammers or cyber criminals.

So you've shopped online using one of these services. What do you do now? To stay in-the-know about how at-risk you are, opt for one of the best identity theft protection services and the best computer protection software. Even if you haven't used the services listed by Comparitech, it's a good idea to choose one of these services, which can identify a data breach early on and send you an alert so you can take the right steps to protect your identity before it's too late. Alternatively, you can opt for one of the best background check services through which you can monitor your reputation online for possibly a lower cost.

If you're not sure if you should pay to protect yourself, there are steps you can take right now to decrease the odds that your identity will be stolen. You can enable two-factor authentication, strengthen your passwords, and search for forgotten online accounts, among other ways.

Is your free VPN secure? Report finds vulnerability in top free VPNs on Google Play store

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:52:09 +0000

It’s tough to choose the best VPN service with so many options out there. Our buying guide will help you choose from our favorites, but we also have a list of VPNs that you should avoid, if a recent report is to be believed. According to VPNPro, ten of the top VPN apps on the Google Play store have a vulnerability to a type of cyber attack called a man-in-the-middle (MITM) hack. These weaknesses in the VPNs defenses allow hackers to easily intercept all communications between the user and their VPN server, meaning they can see everything that the user is doing.

Among the ten free VPNs that were exposed was SuperVPN Free VPN Client, which has a staggering 100 million installs on the Google Play store - that’s a lot of people whose data and privacy is potentially being exposed. The complete list of VPNs that were found to have the vulnerability is below.

VPNs currently still available for download:

SuperVPN Free VPN Client
TapVPN Free VPN
Korea VPN - Plugin for OpenVPN
VPN Unblocker Free unlimited Best Anonymous Secure
Super VPN 2019 USA - Free VPN, Unblock Proxy VPN

VPNs removed from Google Play store:

Wuma VPN-Pro (Fast & Unlimited & Security)
VPN Download: Top, Quick & Unblock Sites
Secure VPN-Fast VPN Free & Unlimited VPN
Power VPN Free VPN

VPNs where issue has been resolved:

Best Ultimate VPN - Fastest Secure Unlimited VPN

VPNPro states that it tested the security of these VPNs by performing its own MITM attack on the most popular apps on the Google Play store. Once it had identified the vulnerable VPNs, it contacted the VPN providers to give them a chance to respond and fix the issue. Of the ten that VPNPro contacted, only Best Ultimate VPN responded. It has since patched the vulnerability out of their app, so it's back off the bad list.

If you've been reading this and wondering "What is a VPN, and why do you need one?" then don't worry, we've got an article that explains everything. VPNs are a great way to stay safe online, but they’re not the only security precaution that you should take when browsing the web. If you want to secure your laptop or computer from cyberattacks, viruses and malware then check out our best antivirus and best internet security software guides for more information.

Snapchat unveils new tool that intervenes when teens search for sensitive content

Sophie Kaemmerle — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 17:37:01 +0000

Snapchat has announced that it's launching a social media tool to help fight bullying and other mental health stressors: Here For You.

Here For You works in conjunction with its search tool, and essentially intervenes when users search for "sensitive content." For example, if someone searches for the key term "thinspo" (which would provide images and other content that may provoke a distorted body image), the user would be provided with resources created by mental health experts that could curve those negative effects.

Here For You was designed with its users in mind. In fact, according to The Verge, 90% of its users are between the ages of 13 and 24. This young audience is particularly vulnerable to sensitive content that can alter their self-perception and negatively impact their mental health. Topics like anxiety, depression, suicide, and bullying will be addressed.

Snapchat is not the first social media platform working to combat mental health issues in its users. Both Instagram and Pinterest, which also have many young users, have implemented measures that are meant to reduce negative content on their platforms or provide similar mental health resources.

Although the Here For You tool is not available right now, Snapchat says it will roll it out to users in the coming weeks.

If you're a parent concerned about your child's online activity or what they're seeing on social media, consider one of the best cell phone parental control software, one of the best parental software, or one of the best internet filter software. A new report recently highlighted the detrimental effects of social media use on teens' mental health, claiming that spending more than two hours a day on these platforms is linked to mental distress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Many experts recommend that parents talk to their children about social media and potential harmful effects as well as limiting their screen time and setting a good example of online behavior. When possible, parents should encourage kids and teens to interact and socialize in person rather than online, which can reduce their risk of developing mental health issues that stem from social media use.

Antivirus provider Avast closes data-collection subsidiary after being caught selling user data

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 12:21:02 +0000

Another day, another privacy scandal in the tech industry. Free antivirus provider Avast has announced it will be shutting down its data-harvesting subsidiary, Jumpshot, after it was revealed the company has been selling users’ browsing data to advertisers. Avast creates some of the best antivirus software on the market, but this news has brought its reputation into question.

In a statement on Avast’s website, Avast CEO Ondrej Vicek said that “The bottom line is that any practices that jeopardize user trust are unacceptable to Avast. We are vigilant about our users’ privacy, and we took quick action to begin winding down Jumpshot’s operations after it became evident that some users questioned the alignment of data provision to Jumpshot with our mission and principles that define us as a Company.”

When the data harvesting first came to light, Avast assured customers that the data collection was anonymous and there was no way to link data back to individual users. When users installed Avast's antivirus software, they were greeted with this statement: "The data is fully de-identified and aggregated and cannot be used to personally identify or target you," There’s just one problem though - that wasn’t true at all.

(Image credit: Avast)

A joint investigation by Motherboard and PCMag found that it was entirely possible to link browsing data back to individual users. While no specific names or obvious identifying data were included in the harvested data, things like timestamps, persistent device IDs, and website browsing history were recorded. Privacy experts, who spoke to the investigators, made it clear that this information could be used to expose someone's identity.

Online anonymity and safety is increasingly important these days, as companies strive to find new ways to profit from your personal information and online habits. If you want to keep yourself safe and anonymous online, check out our best VPN service guide. If you’re asking yourself, “What is a VPN”, we’ve got you covered.

Hotspot Shield review

Luke Edwards — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 13:10:41 +0000

For our AnchorFree’s Hotspot Shield review, we tested the two versions on offer: a free, ad-sponsored version; and an upgraded, ad-free premium version with full access to Hotspot Shield’s locations and features, and no limitations on data traffic. If you want the full version it's the Hotspot Shield Premium name you're looking for. The Catapult Hydra tech is what really makes this stand out from the competition. Rather than using the usual OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols, this is a proprietary solution. This offers superior performance and is used by cybersecurity firms, so you know it's good.

With over 2,500 P2P-optimized servers spread across up to 75 countries, Hotspot Shield provides safe and anonymous access to a wide array of geo-restricted websites and platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify. These are the main reasons we recommend it in our best VPN services guide.

Hotspot Shield review: Privacy

Hotspot Shield uses Catapult Hydra protocol, which is based on Transport Layer Security 1.2 (TLS), and employs AES-128 encryption, along with 2048-bit RSA certificates for server authentication. It also uses Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (EDCHE) for exchanging keys, generating new ones for each session.

But privacy isn't just about the low-level technicalities. Client implementation is also important, especially when it comes to blocking DNS and WebRTC leaks which might give away your real identity. Fortunately, testing Hotspot Shield's clients and browser attachments at IPLeak and DNSLeakTest didn't reveal any issues, with the service protecting us from snoopers at all times.

While Hotspot Shield promises not to collect any information that can be used to identify you, such as IP addresses or online activities, it states that the company and its service providers do collect some information before you connect to the VPN. This includes device-specific data like unique mobile ID, operating system, hardware model, language, and network information. The company also states it may use your IP address to obtain your approximate city-level location for analytics and service improvement, as well as for marketing attribution purposes. This cannot directly tie you to any specific online activities.

Hotspot Shield review: Features and apps

Some of the provider’s apps come with a kill switch, which terminates the internet access in case your VPN connection is interrupted, keeping your sensitive information safe from malicious outsiders. The Windows client comes with an IP leak protection feature, including the option to automatically connect to Hotspot Shield when accessing unsafe Wi-Fi hotspots, safe hotspots, or other networks.

The Android client has an option to automatically connect to the most optimal server for your device. Additionally, it can be set to automatically protect specific apps whenever they connect to the internet. The app also has a malware scanning tool, as well as a battery life extension option. It certainly isn't as feature-packed as ExpressVPN, for example, but has what you need here.

Hotspot shield has plenty of apps (Image credit: AnchorFree)

The iOS client doesn’t have the fastest server connection feature or any auto connect options. The only perk you get is the Insecure connections feature that alerts you if you’re attempting to connect to an insecure network. Neither the Android nor iOS clients have an integrated kill switch. Hotspot Shield supports simultaneous connection on up to five devices, although not on routers.

Hotspot Shield fully supports limitless torrenting on all its P2P-optimized servers. Not only that, but the website also has a few guides to get you all set for safe torrenting under VPN protection.

It can also be used to unblock services that are unavailable at certain locations. For instance, you can use it to access the popular streaming platform Netflix from anywhere in the world. Hotspot Shield also unblocks content on Spotify, Hulu, and more, with support for even more streaming services coming soon.

Although, at the time of testing we struggled to unblock the BBC iPlayer, so if you're specifically targeting that then this might not be the best VPN for you. That said, Hotspot Shield told us that 'issues with BBC are a known issue that we are currently trying to resolve', so maybe it'll be working again by the time you read this.

However, one of the major disadvantages of Hotspot Shield is its lack of router support. So if you were hoping to increase the number of devices used simultaneously with VPN by setting it up on your router, you will be disappointed. The same goes for other platforms. Due to the use of the Catapult Hydra technology instead of standard protocols like OpenVPN, you can only use the service with Hotspot Shield’s own clients.

That said, the installation and use of the clients are extremely user-friendly. The Windows client can be downloaded directly from the website, whereas the Mac client, mobile apps, and browser extensions can be installed from their respective stores.

Hotspot Shield review: Speed

Upon testing, Hotspot Shield’s performance proved exceptional. The download speeds were impressive and consistent, including with many servers far away from the device’s current location. For US server testing we used a very fast 475Mbs connection. Speeds dropped to around 230-290Mbps, but that's still a significant improvement on a lot of the competition (many struggle to reach 100Mbps, few ever exceed 200Mbps).

Short-term tests can never tell you very much, but Hotspot Shield was unusually consistent, too, giving us better-than-average confidence in the accuracy of our results. It even beats out the likes of IPVanish for pure speed.

Hotspot Shield review: Pricing

Hotspot Shield has four pricing plans. The most expensive one is the one-month option at $12.99. The six-month lan has gone, at time of publishing so you'll need to jump up to a year. The one year plan is priced at $9.99 per month. The option that will get you the most for your money is the three-year subscription plan, billed at only $2.99 monthly.

All options come with a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is more than what other VPN providers offer and is more than enough to check out the service. You can also take advantage of the seven-day free trial during which you can use all the perks of the Premium subscription. The provider accepts two payment options - credit cards and PayPal.

Hotspot Shield review: Customer support

In addition to having a useful Help section inside the Windows and Android apps, Hotspot Shield’s website has a large connection of tutorials and troubleshooting articles in its Support Center.

If that doesn’t provide an answer to your questions, you can contact human support that is theoretically available 24/7 via chat for Premium users, although this option is not always visible due to agents’ non-availability. Contacting the support can also be done by filling a support ticket.

All of the clients are very intuitive and easy to use. Connecting to a server is done in just a few clicks and within several seconds. There are multiple ways of doing this, including from a list. The menu and the settings are simple and don’t have many options, but they do cover the essentials.

Hotspot Shield is easy and quick to use (Image credit: Hotspot Shield)

Should I buy Hotspot Shield?

One of the fastest VPNs out there, Hotspot Shield is all about performance. Surprising speeds can be encountered when connecting to most servers, including the rather distant ones, with reliable connectivity and support for a wide range of geo-restricted services and P2P file-sharing.

And while there is certainly some logging, the website gives multiple assurances that it will not store or share information that can be used to connect your online activities with your identity, including the parent company’s transparency report.

Although it doesn’t have clients for many platforms or routers, the existing ones are very user-friendly and will cause no problems, not even for the VPN beginners. If you encounter any, the website’s help section addresses most problems and the human support team can help you out with the rest. Ultimately, if raw speed is your top priority, Hotspot Shield is an excellent choice of VPN.

ExpressVPN review

Luke Edwards — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 12:25:56 +0000

ExpressVPN: At a glance

Best for: Security-oriented users, VPN perfectionists
Price range: $6.67-$12.95
Location: 94 countries, 2,000+ servers
Netflix: Unblocks Netflix
Torrenting: P2P and torrenting allowed
Logging: No logging policy
Number of devices: Three, unlimited with a router
Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers
Browser extensions: Chrome, Firefox

While creating our ExpressVPN review for 2020 it became obvious, very quickly, that it is the virtual private network service to beat. This is thanks to all-round great performance, as well as usability. But behind that is a powerful system with over 2,000 servers scattered across 160 cities in 94 countries. There is also some superb platform support that will mean you feel able to use this to its fullest no matter the time of day or place you find yourself. Beyond that 24/7 live chat support you've got clients that run well on Max, Windows iOS, Android and more. Now there's IKEv2 support for Windows and Mac plus the Android app will auto connect the VPN when you join an untrusted network. It currently tops our best VPN services buying guide for good reason.

But it isn't the cheapest option out there. Then, as they say, you get what you pay for and right here is where you can rely on the fact that your identity is kept secure while sensitive information is kept safe - even when using open Wi-Fi connections while travelling. If budget is an issue, look to something like TunnelBear.

The number of connections at once is limited to five - up from three previously. This may be less than some of the competition but you can setup a router bypass so all devices connected to that are behind the VPN security. We reviewed Express VPN to help you decide whether it's the right VPN for you – here's everything you need to know.

ExpressVPN review: Privacy

Most VPN services claim to deliver complete privacy, but they often don't really explain how. ExpressVPN justifies its claims with a substantial list of features – which we found to be just as described when we tested them.

ExpressVPN guarantees security and privacy for your internet traffic with a powerful AES-256-CBC encryption protocol – that's the same standard used by the US government and security experts around the world. It's accompanied by a 4096-bit RSA certificate identified by the hashing algorithm SHA-512, as well as an HMAC (Hash Message Authentication Code), which protects regular data being altered while in transit.

You can select one of the four protocol variants: UDP-OpenVPN (this is the best combination, but it isn't supported by some networks), TCP-OpenVPN (slower than UDP, but works on all networks), L2TP-IPSec (L2TP over IPSec with a pre-shared key), as well as PPTP (the least secure, only to be used for a specific reason). Alternatively, you can let ExpressVPN select the best protocol for you by opting for the Automatic setting. Also, all of the new TrustedServer tech runs in RAM, meaning no data is ever actually stored to a drive - minimizing chances of an attacker recovering sensitive files.

If you're not familiar with the technical details, what they effectively mean is that ExpressVPN's encryption scheme is as good as you'll find, anywhere.

ExpressVPN runs its own DNS to prevent leaks (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

ExpressVPN also takes its no-logs policy very seriously. It promises to never log any data that could lead back to you personally, including IP address (neither source nor VPN), browsing history, traffic destination or metadata, and DNS queries. Its privacy policy is very open about the minimal information the service does store and why, which includes apps and app versions successfully activated, dates (but not times) when connected to the VPN service, VPN server locations selected, and the total amount of data transferred per day. This information cannot be used to identify a user.

The company is also based in the British Virgin Islands, a tiny nation with no data retention laws, no foreign intelligence operations, and not a party to any 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing agreements.

On top of all that is DNS support meaning you get leak protection but also a private, zero-knowledge, 256-bit encrypted DNS on each of its own servers. All that equates to less chance of your data leaking out of the tunnel.

ExpressVPN review: Features and apps

ExpressVPN: features

- Automatic kill switch
- Supports torrenting
- Unblocks Netflix
- Stream live events
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Split tunnelling
- DNS leak protection
- Built-in speed test
- IP masking
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Online tools (IP checker, DNS Leak Test, WebRTC Leak Test, Password Generator)
- $5,000 scholarship fund

ExpressVPN supports an enviable number of platforms. That means connecting to this service is possible whether you're using Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Kindle Fire or many other devices. Custom firmware is offered for routers and there are detailed manual setup guides for PlayStation, Fire TV Stick, Apple, and other platforms. If you need protection for your Chrome or Firefox browser, ExpressVPN has got you covered with extensions.

Additional features include a Network Lock – ExpressVPN’s version of a kill switch, which shuts down all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops. The Network Lock is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers. Unfortunately, ExpressVPN doesn't have a built-in kill switch option for mobile devices yet, but if you're using Android 8, you can enable your device’s own kill switch.

Another feature that provides additional security is split tunnelling. This means that ExpressVPN maintains the VPN connection for the apps you choose, while leaving others running on your normal internet connection. And that’s not all. As mentioned, ExpressVPN also has a DNS leak protection feature, in addition to running its own 256-bit DNS server on every VPN server. Add IP-masking into the mix and you get a very robust security combination.

Bear in mind that ExpressVPN only allows simultaneous connections on five devices per account. However, if you have a VPN-enabled router, this limitation no longer applies and you can connect as many devices as you want.

ExpressVPN also has an altruistic side. Each year the company organizes a $5,000 scholarship competition for high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students in the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The goal of the scholarship is to raise awareness regarding internet privacy and security issues.

There are so many features on offer with ExpressVPN (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

ExpressVPN has clients for a wide range of devices and platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, E-book readers, Windows Phone, streaming media consoles, routers, BlackBerry, smart TVs, NAS devices. The website also hosts setup guides for apps including Lubuntu, Peppermint, Kali, Qubes, Zorin, Korora Project, Parrot Security, and pfSense (OpenVPN).

ExpressVPN supports the use of uTorrent for secure and private sharing of large files, with no limitations on bandwidth or data usage, while keeping your metadata and location safe from prying eyes. It’s also one of the rare providers that unblocks geo-restricted services such as Netflix or the BBC iPlayer, allowing you to watch content unavailable at your current location.

Unlike some VPN services, setting up ExpressVPN clients is very easy, and all of the apps have a user-friendly interface. You don't have to hunt for a Download link when you log into your account dashboard, for example.

The website detects the type of device you're using, and displays a Download button for that client. If you run into any trouble, the ExpressVPN website has an immense library of all the necessary tutorials.

ExpressVPN review: Speed

We put ExpressVPN through its paces by checking connection times and using ping tests to check latency. We did this with varying geolocations to check consistency across servers and distances.

For our US connection test we had a 475Mbps line, meaning we could push the VPN to its limits to really see what the servers were capable of. As a result we managed to get a blistering 250Mbps speed. That's really, really fast with very few VPNs able to perform better than that. The only competitors in the same league are Hotspot Shield and Surfshark.

ExpressVPN review: Pricing

ExpressVPN has three pricing plans: a monthly plan ($12.95), six-month plan ($9.99), and 12-month plan ($6.67). The monthly plan costs a little more than some rivals – NordVPN, for example, comes in at $11.95 – but it's a fair price for the features you're getting.

If you're just starting out, the six-month plan drops the price to below $10 per month. That's reasonable, without tying you in for too long. Meanwhile, the annual plan is the best-value option: the company is running a special deal that gives you three free months (15 for the price of 12), effectively dropping the price to $6.67 per month.

Payment options include all major credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and more. And there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee – no questions asked – which enables you to fully test out ExpressVPN for yourself. If you're unhappy, or change your mind, all you need to do is tell ExpressVPN and you'll get your money back. That's how confident ExpressVPN is in its service.

ExpressVPN review: Customer support

If you encounter any problems when using the service, ExpressVPN’s professional staff is at your disposal 24/7 through live chat and email. You can also file a support ticket. As mentioned, all ExpressVPN clients are extremely easy to use, even for a layman. If you run into any obstacles, there is a large collection of user guides available on the website, along with experts in the customer support ready to help you at any time of day or night.

ExpressVPN makes it easy to get in touch with customer support (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

Should I buy ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is considered one of the best VPN providers on the market, and it's certainly the most versatile. With over 2,000 servers across 160 cities in 94 countries, it even has a presence in some places that most other providers shy away from.

It offers a premium service at lightning speeds and unlimited bandwidth, with a nicely designed interface, top-class security, and friendly customer support. If you can afford it, ExpressVPN should be your go-to service for all your privacy and security requirements. If you really don't want to pay top-dollar for Express, then CyberGhost comes closest, without the premium price. But you do get what you pay for here.

Facebook will now let you “clear" your data - but there’s a catch

Sophie Kaemmerle — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 18:27:36 +0000

Facebook just rolled out its "Off Facebook Activity" feature worldwide, to the relief of millions of users concerned about their data privacy. But be warned - you may be shocked by which apps and websites Facebook has linked to your account, and how many.

Facebook tracks its users' internet activity through cookies and computer scripts enabled on third-party websites and apps. That's how you end up seeing ads related to your recent searches or purchases. These targeted ads are designed to get you to click, whether it's to browse a website or to buy a product. In a nutshell, Facebook has been watching our every move on the internet. Now, thanks to the "Off Facebook Activity" feature, you can limit how much of that activity Facebook can see, but only to an extent.

How do I turn on "Off-Facebook Activity"?

The feature, which was previously released only in Ireland, South Korea, and Spain, can be easily accessed by following these instructions.

Open your settings panel
Scroll to the section labeled "Your Facebook Information"
Tap "Off-Facebook Activity"

(Image credit: Facebook)

From there, you have several options. You can opt to clear your entire history, or manage which third-party apps and websites can still access your data, and which can't. When we opened ours, we were shocked by just how many sites sent information to Facebook after we accessed them - nearly 1,000 websites and apps per person. Remember: even accessing a site once can add to the amount of information Facebook is able to get about you.

If you choose to "clear history," Facebook will log you out of third-party apps that allow you to log into Facebook.

The third option, "turn off future activity," prevents Facebook from connecting data they receive from businesses and organizations to your account. It will also prevent you from using Facebook to log into other apps.

But wait, what's the catch?

Don't be fooled: enabling the "Off Facebook Activity" feature doesn't mean that the social media giant stops collecting information. It just means that the data received won't be tied to your Facebook ID.

Protecting your data

Facebook has a long way to go in terms of user privacy, but this is a first step in the right direction. It's now more important than ever to protect our personally identifying information which, by various means, can end up on the internet or the Dark Web. From shopping to online dating, anything from your name to your Social Security Number can be bought and sold online. As we spend more and more time online and perform more of our regular tasks on the internet, it's important to invest in important measures like opting for one of the best identity theft protection services.

Microsoft secures servers after 250 million customer records exposed online

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 13:58:34 +0000

Tech research company Comparitech exposed a security flaw at Microsoft that left 250 million Customer Service and Support (CSS) records unprotected online. CSS records contain logs and transcripts from conversations between Microsoft customer support agents and their customers from all over the world. The data logs in question date from December 2019 all the way back to 2005, so it’s not only current Microsoft customers that could have been harmed by this security flaw.

The Comparitech research team, led by Bob Diachenko, immediately alerted Microsoft to the issue upon discovery and the tech giant swiftly moved to secure the data. “I immediately reported this to Microsoft and within 24 hours all servers were secured,” Diachenko said. “I applaud the MS support team for responsiveness and quick turnaround on this despite New Year’s Eve.”

The data breach appeared to be serious error on Microsoft’s part, but it looks like things aren’t as bad as they could have been. Most personally identifying data - things like email aliases, contract numbers, and payment information - were redacted from the reports. Many of the reports did contain other sensitive information though, including customers’ email addresses, IP addresses, locations, case numbers, and details of their support conversations.

(Image credit: Future)

While we know what data was vulnerable, we don’t know how long this information was exposed for, nor do we know if anyone actually found it before Comparitech alerted Microsoft. The exposed data could be extremely useful to scammers, particularly tech support scammers who pose as tech support agents to gain customers’ secure passwords and account information.

If you receive unsolicited communications from someone claiming to be working for Microsoft or any other company, be sure to verify their email address and never give them your passwords or bank account details. If you’re looking to protect yourself further online, consider looking at our best VPN services and best antivirus guides to secure your online activities.

And if you don’t know what a VPN is, we’ve got a hand guide for that explains what is a VPN, and why do you need one?

What is a VPN, and why do you need one?

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 14:10:14 +0000

If you’ve spent any time on the internet in the past few years, you will have undoubtedly heard people mention VPNs. But what is a VPN, do you need one, and how can it make your online life better? What's more, you may have heard negative stories about VPN in the news, so a further question you may have it whether or not they are legal and if you're risking anything by signing up. We’ve written this handy guide to not only answer the question: what is a VPN, but also to take you through everything you need to know about VPNs. Plus, we've got a guide to the best VPN services of 2020 to help you choose one, if you need it.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are a service which offer you increased security, privacy, and anonymity online by creating a private network over a public internet connection by disguising your location online. When you’re connected to a VPN server, your IP address is replaced with that of the VPN server you are connected to, no matter where in the world that server is. So you can be browsing the internet in New York, but if you’re connected to a VPN based in Paris then that is where the internet will tell people you are.

You can use a VPN on a variety of devices, from the best home computers right through to tablets, phones, and even games consoles.

Why do you need a VPN?

This all sounds very clandestine, but there are numerous legitimate reasons that people would want to mask their online location and a VPN is the simplest, safest way to achieve this.

No matter what you’re doing online, whether it’s just browsing the web, shopping on Amazon, or online banking, you are potentially exposing yourself to outside observers who wish to record your browsing habits and personal information, including bank details and passwords. This is especially true on unsecured public WiFi connections, though you’re at risk even on secured, password-protected connections. It's a good way to protect yourself online, like installing the best antivirus software you can find for your PC.

VPNs protect you from threats by masking your internet protocol (IP) address, replacing your existing IP address with that of the VPN server that you have connected to. This means that anyone looking at your connection will only see your outward connection to the VPN, not where you browse after that point.

What can a VPN do for me?

People use VPNs for different reasons. Some people just don’t like the idea of the government or their ISPs spying on them, monitoring what they do so they turn to a VPN for peace of mind. Others need access to websites and services that are banned or blocked in their current location, such as region-locked streaming content, so they use a VPN to fool websites into thinking they are in a different country. Different VPNs offer different features, and picking the right one is a matter of working out what you want to use it for. For general use, check out our ExpressVPN review for the best all-rounder, or look at things like IPVanish and CyberGhost for more options.

Privacy

When you’re using a VPN and you are connected to another server somewhere in the world, your internet service provider (ISP) is unable to track your online activities, since all they see is your connection to the VPN – they don’t have any way of tracking which sites you’re connecting to through the VPN. Online privacy is important to many people who don’t like the idea of their ISP snooping on them.

(Image credit: Unsplash (Muhammad Raufan Yusup))

Since the law was changed in 2017, ISPs can now legally sell your online browsing history without your permission. This naturally makes many online users uncomfortable since they have no idea who that information is being sold on to, or how it will be used. Using a VPN protects you from these risks, since your ISP won’t be able to track your browsing habits.

Security

VPNs also offer you an additional layer of security for your data, especially if you’re out and about using unsecured public WiFi networks. Anyone else with access to the same network as you could potentially gain access to your data if they know what they’re doing. Using a VPN protects you from these security issues by encrypting your data exchanges with the VPN server.

Since the VPN hides your true location and identify, it also protects you from identify theft and fraud. Hackers can steal your personal information by monitoring your online activities and then use that information to impersonate you, opening new accounts, signing up for services, and making expensive purchases in your name. A VPN is another layer of security to add on top of firewalls, antivirus, and password protection to ensure that your data stays safe from cyber criminals.

Anonymity

As we mentioned earlier, VPNs let you use the IP address of another server somewhere else in the world. This means that websites that you visit won’t be able to identify you, or even where you are in the world as they’ll only see the IP address of the VPN server. This means you’ll be able to remain completely anonymous online.

(Image credit: Unsplash (Matthew Henry))

It’s unlikely that you’re a target of government surveillance, but VPNs give you peace of mind knowing that if the government does ask your internet service provider to supply them with user’s internet history, that you don’t have to worry about Uncle Sam (or anyone else) spying on you.

Access to restricted websites

Many websites are restricted in certain countries around the world due to government censorship and region locking. Using a VPN lets you piggyback on the IP address of VPN servers in other countries, letting you access any content that a person living in that country would be able to access.

This is especially useful when streaming video content abroad, as different countries don’t always have access to the same streaming services and content as we do here in the USA. So if you go on holiday to Paris and decide you want to watch Disney Plus, you’ll currently need a VPN to access the service. Likewise, if you want to watch British shows on Netflix, you can access a VPN server located in the UK and watch Top Gear or The Office.

Which VPN is right for me?

The VPN business is booming at the moment and there are a whole host of options on the market, so it can be difficult to know which VPN is right for you. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a handy guide which will showcase the best VPN service. This guide will take you through the best free and premium VPN services, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each program so you can make the right choice to suit your needs. Or for a quick glance at our top three picks, check out the below.

Senator Ron Wyden wants to investigate "deceptive" ad blocking industry

ian.stokes@futurenet.com (Ian Stokes) — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 16:36:48 +0000

Senator Ron Wyden has called for the senate to investigate the ad blocking industry, citing what he calls “unfair, deceptive and anti-competitive practices” in a in a letter to the Federal Trade Commission. Ad blockers are a downloadable software that blocks websites from displaying adverts, which can often include auto-playing videos and pop-up windows. These ad blocking programs are typically free, though some offer premium services for a fee. Alongside best VPN services and best antivirus software, ad blocking is one of the most popular ways to tailor your web-browsing experience and protect yourself online. The most popular ad blocking software is AdBlock Plus, which was used by over 100 million people worldwide in 2016.

So, what’s the problem? Well, as Senator Wyden points out, numerous corporations have been paying ad blocking companies like AdBlock Plus to be whitelisted, allowing their adverts to be displayed even when the ad blocker is active. Numerous major companies have been caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Verizon Media. What this means is that corporations who can afford to buy their way through the ad block are still getting to advertise their products, while smaller companies who can’t – or won’t – pay AdBlock are being shut off from millions of consumers.

AdBlock Plus originally blocked all adverts but ceased this in 2011 when they started its Acceptable Ads program, which whitelists advertisers if they agree not to use adverts which include pop-ups or other annoying tactics. AdBlock Plus makes almost all its revenue from charging large corporations to join their whitelist.

Is it just AdBlock Plus?

Other ad blocking companies, including AdBlock (not to be confused with AdBlock Plus) now use this whitelist since Eyeo, owners of AdBlock Plus, started selling it in 2015. The acceptable ads feature can be disabled by users, reverting to the old system of blocking all ads, but is activated by default and allows select adverts to be displayed to AdBlock Plus users.

AdBlock Plus does openly state its acceptable ads program on their website, and the whitelist itself is even freely available if you can summon the will to read a 2000+ page list of website URLs. AdBlock Plus also claims that 90% of its acceptable ad licenses are given out for free to smaller entities, only charging large businesses to be added to the whitelist.

Despite this, Senator Wyden is calling for the FTC to investigate the ad blocking industry and calls for more transparency with consumers. He specifies that companies should be forced to “prominently disclose” their whitelist information to new and potential users of their services.

If you're concerned about pop-ups and other invasive experiences on your internet browsing, we have a guide to the best spam filters on our site, and a look at the best internet providers for those looking for a change.

Clario's smart new security system lets you fight back against Cybercrime

Sophie Kaemmerle — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 19:08:09 +0000

If you've resolved to better protect your identity in 2020, there's an app for that.

Clario introduced itself at CES 2020, marketing itself as a new, comprehensive and more consumer-oriented way to help protect yourself and fight cybercrime.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 14.4 million people were victims of cybercrime in 2018. Although that number is down from 2017, the losses incurred by the victims skyrocketed: in the same year, out-of-pocket fraud costs totaled $1.7 billion. That's no joke!

Clario saw an opportunity: as it stands, consumers have to download complicated software that may be difficult for the average consumer to understand and install. And often, consumers need to buy security software for each device they own.

Clario claims it's different: it will offer 24/7 support from tech experts who can advise on a course of action should you suspect that an account has been breached, for example. You will be able to check up on your online presence on the Clario app, which will feature a comprehensive view of your status. It also offers real-time protection against the usual suspects: malware, spyware, and ransomware. Each customer experience is personalized and tailored to their online activity but each dashboard will feature the key areas of digital security: identity, financial information, safe browsing, and personal data security.

Clario will be available for MacOS and iOS devices, and is developing support for Android and Windows 10. But as of right now, it's not yet available to the public - the service will launch later this year. As for cost, there's no word yet on how much Clario will set you back annually, but the company says that it will be "less expensive than many premium entertainment streaming services."

Although the future of cybersecurity and digital privacy seems like it's within reach, criminals can take advantage of your online activity at any point in time. A good start is signing up for one of the best VPN services. The best VPN services make you more secure when browsing the web, especially if you use public networks at hotels, airports, and other places. It's one of the better ways to avoid becoming one of the millions affected by a cyberattack or breach every year.

BullGuard Antivirus review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 21:12:02 +0000

It's tough to stand out in the crowded antivirus world. BullGuard Antivirus does this with anti-spam tools, impressive early-detection features, an attractive interface and some excellent customer service. While not currently among the best antivirus software, BullGuard identifies and removes a wide variety of viruses, spyware, worms, rootkits and Trojans from not only Windows 10 computers, but other, older versions of Windows as well. So if you've refused to upgrade for years, BullGuard is a reasonably priced option for older PCs as well as the best home computers.

BullGuard continuously scans your computer's HDD or SSD for virus signatures. It also protects you online and filters for spam, keeping your inbox clean. The interface is easy to understand and frequently shows explanations that are helpful for beginners.

BullGuard has added a whole host of new features for 2020, although not all feature in the basic level antivirus software we are reviewing here. The AV package does benefit from machine learning, which helps to identify malware earlier and prevent extensive damage to your PC or Mac. If you upgrade to the Premium or Internet Security packages, which only cost a few more dollars at the moment, you're also treated to a secure browser (which seems unnecessary given most major browsers like Chrome and IE are pretty secure) and Identity Theft protection (which is a lot more useful).

The regular antivirus package takes early detection seriously by helping you eliminate existing threats and prevent future ones. BullGuard uses a tool known as vulnerability scanner, which helps identify viruses before they become part of the virus signature database. This uses abnormal registry, file process and network events to identify viruses. BullGuard automatically checks for updates against new threats, but you can also manually run a check any time.

(Image credit: Bullguard)

Customer support options for BullGuard Antivirus are among the best. Email queries get quick responses. We received ours within one hour. You have the option to start a live chat on any day and at any time with technical support personnel. Telephone support is also available 24/7. BullGuard hosts an online forum where you can tap into the community of users. There are also FAQs, product guides and technical guides online.

Overall, BullGuard is a decent product for protecting against malware on both Windows 10 machines and Macs, but it doesn't have as many features as high-ranked computer protection software. It has made great strides in recent years by adding a Game Booster mode, which blocks pop-ups and can actually improve performance in some instances, and you also get parental control options too, if you're worried about how your family is using the internet. It isn't quite as effective as something like Kaspersky at eliminating all threats, but it's a decent, easy to use AV that does enough to protect most users.

Bullguard for older versions of Windows

BullGuard Antivirus for Windows 8

We also tested Bullguard against older versions of Windows. In our Windows 8 tests, conducted a couple of years ago, BullGuard received slightly lower marks than it did on Windows 10 tests. While it still achieved above-average scores for protection and performance, it dropped to about average in usability. This means it showed some difficulty in differentiating between good and bad files and sometimes blocked legitimate websites and content.

BullGuard is good at intercepting both known and unknown malware threats, and it includes anti-spam tools and early-detection features. It is capable of finding and removing spyware, worms, Trojans and rootkits, both those attempting to infiltrate your computer from online sources and from outside media sources such as USB drives and incoming email.

It does slow your system performance slightly, but not enough that you would notice and not as much as the industry standard. It has anti-spyware and anti-spam capabilities in addition to anti-malware and anti-phishing.

BullGuard Antivirus for Windows 7

BullGuard is quick to install and has an elegant user interface. In order to detect malware, it uses a database of known threats. It can also detect new threats that are not in the known-threat database yet. A spam filter protects you from annoying spam at least and phishing scams at best. BullGuard warns you if any of the websites in search results host malware or attempt phishing, making it a good product to consider for Windows 7 protection.

AV-Test, a German independent test lab, included BullGuard as one of 22 products it tested on Windows 7 computers during February of 2015. BullGuard got a perfect score in a test suite that checked its ability to protect your computer from malware. It was adequate in tests of its ability to decipher between good and bad files and websites, earning an above-average score for its rate of false positives than most other computer virus protection software.

From abc123 to qwerty, the worst passwords of 2019 have been revealed

millie.fender@futurenet.com (Millie Fender) — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 12:00:06 +0000

It may be the season for giving, but that doesn’t stop hackers from taking valuable personal information. 2019 featured more than its fair share of data privacy scandals and large-scale leaks, but some still aren’t playing it safe when it comes to picking a password.

Security services firm SplashData has released its annual list of the Worst Passwords of the Year. This is determined by evaluating more than 5 million leaked passwords and ranking those which feature most often.

The ever-popular ‘password’ has fallen to fourth on this year’s list, with ‘123456’ keeping its top spot. Rising two places to eighth place, ‘iloveyou’ remains a popular password choice. A cute way to make a hacker’s day, but it’s maybe worth spreading the love in different, more secure ways in 2020.

Here’s the list of SplashData’s worst passwords of 2019:

123456 (rank unchanged from 2018)
123456789 (up 1)
qwerty (Up 6)
password (Down 2)
1234567 (Up 2)
12345678 (Down 2)
12345 (Down 2)
iloveyou (Up 2)
111111 (Down 3)
123123 (Up 7)
abc123 (Up 4)
qwerty123 (Up 13)
1q2w3e4r (New)
admin (Down 2)
qwertyuiop (New)
654321 (Up 3)
555555 (New)
lovely (New)
7777777 (New)
welcome (Down 7)
888888 (New)
princess (Down 11)
dragon (New)
password1 (Unchanged)
123qwe (New)

If you’ve seen your password on the list, you’re not alone. According to SplashData, almost 10% of people have used at least one of the passwords on this year’s list.

How do I make my password more secure?

SplashData has suggested some simple tips to protect yourself from online hackers. Be sure to use passphrases of twelve characters or more with mixed types of characters, and have a different password for each of your logins. This limits the damage if a hacker does get hold of one of your passwords.

When setting a password, don’t use personal information like the name of a relative or pet. This information is often available on social media, which could help a hacker to access your account.

It’s also worth changing passwords regularly. This can be a bit of a hassle but you can make it easier by simply capitalising the next letter in a sequence, or adding the year to the end. 123qwe becomes 123qwe2020, for example. Still a terrible password, but that extra bit longer and more complex.

SpyAgent 11 Standard review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

SpyAgent 11 is the latest version of SpyTech's online activity monitoring software. Basically, it allows you to keep track of someone's internet usage, no matter what device they are using. With this reliable and affordable parental control software, you can track virtually all internet activity; you can view transcripts of sent and received email messages, attachments, both sides of instant messaging conversations, and activity on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. It has wide compatibility, so works with PCs, Macs, the best smartphones, and tablets.

What makes SpyAgent 11 stand out is that is allows you to track your child’s online activity without them ever knowing. The total stealth mode requires a little more expertise and time to set up, but having the option is great, as it allows you to keep track of their usage without them knowing, which can maintain trust in a relationship.

This software is a bit more challenging to download and set up than other internet monitoring programs we reviewed. We needed to disable some security measures and use a web browser other than Chrome to keep SpyAgent from being tagged as dangerous and blocked by our system. After it installed, the program took a bit longer to figure out than its competitors, but once we got the hang of it, it wasn’t difficult to remember where to go to adjust filter settings and view activity reports. And the reports are pretty extensive, giving you a great overview of all different types of usage.

SpyAgent lets you customize the program to fit your specific needs. For example, you can designate screenshot frequency and log storage locations as well as block or filter websites based on filter categories. You can also set the software to monitor at certain times or to lock down the internet based on specific events. For example, if your child attempts to search for a specific term too many times, SpyAgent locks the browser so they can’t try again. This internet monitoring program lets you set time limits as well, which makes it easy to keep your children off the computer during homework, chores and bed times.

(Image credit: SpyTech)

SpyAgent doesn’t have designated anti-cyberbullying tools that are found in other internet monitoring programs. These tools proactively shut down conversations your child has with dangerous individuals and prohibits the use of certain words and image sharing. You also receive timely alerts about potential cyberbullying. While SpyAgent doesn’t have specific anti-cyberbullying features, its chat blocking and message capturing tools can be used for this purpose – you just need to be diligent about opening email alerts and checking online reports. Surfie has the single best anti-cyberbullying feature of any program in our lineup.

This program has multiple reporting capabilities, including remote reporting and reports delivered via email. Activity logs, including screenshots, can be filtered based on time of day, specific websites, restricted access attempts and keystrokes. You can download any report and save it to your desktop to look at later. The latest version of SpyAgent adds SMS alerts for unwanted activity too, one of our main criticisms of past iterations.

(Image credit: SpyTech)

You only get one license to monitor one computer or laptop when you purchase SpyAgent, though you can purchase additional licenses. Spytech has a smartphone tracking product you can purchase. If you buy both, you can monitor cell phone and computer activity through a single parental portal online.

SpyAgent by Spytech is reliable and affordable parental software. It can track all incoming and outgoing communications, including email, chat and social networking activity. It blocks websites based on filter categories and by URLs added to the blacklist. You can run this program in stealth mode so no one knows they are being monitored. The program is a bit more difficult to install than other parental control software and may require you to disable some security measures, such as your antivirus program, during download and operation.

Critical Android malware warning issued as up to 8 million devices infected

James Laird — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:06:28 +0000

Another day, another Android malware scare – and this might be the most one worrying yet.

Security researchers at ESET have revealed details of an extensive adware offensive that has successfully targeted Google's mobile platform to the tune of 8 million downloads.

Dating back to July 2018 and dubbed the 'Android/AdDisplay.Ashas' campaign, its heartbeat is a collection of 42 apps that promise useful functionality such as video downloading and radio streaming – or disguise themselves as games.

Once installed, though, the programs change shape and plague the host device with ads that appear as a full-screen activity – a major nuisance to the user that also drains battery life and can sneakily access personal information.

Read our guide to the best smartphones

'Several tricks for stealth and persistance'

This newly unearthed strain of Android malware is particularly menacing because of the numerous ways it's capable of avoiding detection.

After being downloaded, the apps serving as a front for the adware work just as you'd expect them to, but they operate a time delay before entering adware mode so as to avoid being flagged by Google's security boffins.

Not only that, they hide their home screen icon and replace it with a shortcut so as to avoid permanent deletion by the user – and can mask their identity as Google or Facebook if you try and get to the source of the ads.

"The Ashas adware family has its code hidden under the com.google.xxx package name. This trick – posing as a part of a legitimate Google service – may help avoid scrutiny," writes ESET's Lukas Stefanko.

Check out the best cell phone companies

Uninstall today – and take care in future

Full list of these apps at the end of the article (Image credit: ESET)

Android users should check their device right away and delete any offending apps they might have installed right away – the first 21 discovered by ESET are pictured above for reference.

All of the apps flagged by the security firm have since been removed from the Play Store – they are still available as third-party downloads – once again highlighting the importance of only downloading apps from official outlets.

As part of its investigation, ESET uncovered the developer behind the nefarious software and notes that they also list apps in the Apple App Store, so iOS users should be equally vigilant.

In addition, mobile users might want to take a serious look at the best antivirus software, most if not all of which offer companion apps for Android and iOS that screen potential downloads for unwanted nasties.

If you don't want to pay for full-fat security, do remember to read app store reviews at the very least, before installing anything to your device.

Malware typically gets noticed sooner rather than later, so it's is a free way to see if the app you want to download is hiding something unpleasant. However, just checking ratings is no guarantee of safety. Several apps on this list had more than one thousand reviews with high ratings. For example, Ringtone Maker Pro had more than 2000 reviews with a score of 3.9 stars, while HikeTop+ had a score of 3.6 stars from more than 1300 reviews. It's easy to think these apps would be safe with numbers like that.

The full list of the discovered apps can be found below. If you have installed any of these delete them if you can and scan your phone with a reputable malware or antivirus program.

Smart Gallery - by Uranium
Savelnsta - by Uranium
Flat Music Player - by Uranium
Mini lite for facebook - by HIEN-DEV
Free Radio FM Online - by Juke Studio
Free Video Downloader - by DINH VIET HUNG
Ringtone Maker Pro - by DINH VIET HUNG
Free social video downloader - by Mini Apps VN
File Downloader for Insta - by Carmen D. Adkins
Water Drink Reminder - by Carmen D. Adkins
Smart Notes for You - by Carmen D. Adkins
HikeTop+ - Become Popular in IG - by Claure Apps
DU Recorder - Screen Recorder - by Claure Apps
Tank classic - Super battle tank - by mrtcorp
Heroes Jump - by JJDO TK
Solucionario de Álgebra de Baldor - by CarlosGApps
Ringtone Maker 2019 - by CarlosGApps
Video downloader master - by TYPHU TEAM
Basketball Perfect Shot - by JJDO TK
Mp4 video downloader - by Tiler Hember
Free Top Video Downloader - by THELT

More internet security links:

One of the world's most popular VPNs just admitted to a major security breach

James Laird — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:13:17 +0000

In a worrying development for privacy-conscious internet users, one of the world's most popular VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) has admitted to being hacked.

NordVPN, often ranked among the best VPN services, has confirmed that it suffered a security incident back in March 2018.

The company said in a recent blog post that it had been aware of a breach arising from an insecure remote management console at one of its data centers for "a few months".

The VPN provider added that it chose not to publicly disclose this due to concerns its entire "infrastructure could be prone to similar issues".

Read our NordVPN review

What did the NordVPN hack expose?

According to NordVPN, the early-2018 incident left some parts of its users' search history unprotected – though the firm maintains that details such as activity logs, usernames and passwords remained secure thanks to its encryption protocols.

It added that the breach was confined to a single data center in Finland – meaning that just one of the "more than 3000 servers" it utilized was affected, in the firm's own words – and that it had since severed ties with the partner in question.

"The expired TLS key was taken at the same time the datacenter was exploited. However, the key couldn’t possibly have been used to decrypt the VPN traffic of any other server," NordVPN said in a statement.

The popularity of Virtual Private Networks has grown in recent years as web users look to secure their online activity from tracking by advertisers, governments, and other third-party organizations.

Those looking for an alternative to NordVPN should check out our ExpressVPN review to learn about why we rate it the top VPN for most people.

More web security guides:

Google amps up privacy features with Incognito Mode for Maps and much more

James Laird — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:45:37 +0000

Google is helping to celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, announcing four new features focused on boosting user privacy and thwarting hackers.

First up is a new password checker tool for Google Chrome. Set to be released "later this year" as part of a Chrome update, it's called Password Checkup and is an evolution of the extension of the same name, which was introduced back in February.

Going forward, it will come baked in to Google's ubiquitous browser and alert you if one of your passwords has been compromised in a known data breach.

You might be surprised at how useful it is, as studies show that as many as 25% of Americans still use easily hackable passwords like '123456' to protect their online accounts.

With Password Checkup, you'll be automatically nudged if you've been hacked, which is hopefully enough to motivate you to mend your boneheaded online security ways.

While you'll have to wait a bit for it be turned on in Chrome by default, you can check it out right away in Google's Password Manager here – or by downloading the extension.

Find out about the best identity protection services

If "P@s$w0rd” is your password, it’s probably time for a Password Checkup. Now you can check all your saved passwords for security issues with Password Checkup in your Google Account → https://t.co/5hDS8fmarm #NationalCyberSecurityAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/3YCSTuefayOctober 2, 2019

Mapping out a more secure future?

Next up, Google has confirmed the launch of Incognito Mode for Google Maps, having pledged to deliver it back at its I/O 2019 conference in May.

Much like browsing the internet or watching videos on YouTube using Incognito, turning it on means Google won't track your Maps searches for things like locations and directions – and neither will advertisers. For better or worse, Google says you won't get a 'personalized' Maps experience as a result.

However, your ISP or cell phone provider will be able to log your Maps history as in Chrome, meaning you'll be within reach of law enforcement and government agencies. If your aim is complete online anonymity, therefore, it's still the best VPN services or bust.

Google has Incognito Mode for Maps down to roll out this month for Android users, but it's simply slated as "coming soon" for iOS. When it's up and running, you'll see the option to switch modes after you tap on your profile photo.

Find out about the best privacy software

"Hey Google, delete me!"

YouTube also gets a new privacy feature, with will enable you to set your YouTube History for automatic deletion at regular periods of time – just you already could with Location History and Web & App Activity data.

“Set the time period to keep your data — 3 months, 18 months, or until you delete it, just like Location History and Web & App Activity — and we’ll take care of the rest,” Google says in a blog post.

But arguably the most useful new feature is the ability to ask Google Assistant to delete your interactions with it.

From next week, English speaking users will be able to simply issue commands like "Hey Google, delete the last thing I said to you" and "Hey Google, delete everything I said to you last week" to wipe their Assistant's memory.

Other languages will follow in November, the search giant says, and one week is the longest time period that can be erased by your smooth talking – anything longer and you'll need to do it via Settings as before.

Still not enough? Check out our guide to the best internet security software for a look at the most robust web protection options around.

More Web Security guides:

What you really need to know about new Android malware Filecoder.C

James Laird — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 10:53:01 +0000

A cybersecurity company has unearthed a new strain of ransomware targeting Android devices.

The report from ESET says that the 'Android/Filecoder.C' malware has been active since July 12 and first cropped up on Reddit.

According to the researchers, the virus is typically disguised as an X-rated online game, but can also come masked as a more PG-13 tech app.

Best VPN

New Android nasty emerges

If the infected .APK file is downloaded by an unsuspecting user, it then connects with a server and taps into the victim's contact list.

This allows it to start spreading itself via SMS text message in up to 42 different languages, but at the same time it's also encrypting files on the host device so that the user can't access them.

Those who fall prey to the virus are instructed to pay a ransom of between $94 and $188 in Bitcoin.

Once a transfer is received, a private key is sent allowing the victim to decrypt the locked files.

The attackers threaten to destroy the files in 72 hours if the ransom isn't paid, though ESET says its research indicates that isn't always the case.

Protecting yourself from malware

The best way to protect yourself against malware like Filecoder.C is also the simplest: don't download unknown files to your device.

In the case of Android, this means being particularly care of where you download APK files from.

Outside of the Google Play Store, this means sticking to downloading apps from trusted sites like APK Mirror.

Likewise, read your texts carefully before clicking on any links they may contain.

Does it really sound like something your friend would say? Do you normally use SMS to communicate, or WhatsApp? Questions like these can help you decide if there's something fishy about the message you received.

You should also be particularly wary of anything naughty sounding, as ransomware is notorious for disguising itself as adult content.

Beyond that, many of the best antivirus software providers offer mobile equivalents of their desktop apps, and installing one of these can give you extra peace of mind.

Best internet security software

How to turn off Siri and stop Apple from possibly listening to your recordings

James Laird — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 13:07:27 +0000

Apple's privacy credentials are under the spotlight, after an article in The Guardian claimed that the company's contractors 'regularly' listen to recordings made by iPhone, iPad and HomePod users.

The report is based on allegations made by an anonymous Apple employee, who told the newspaper they are aware of "countless instances" where Siri recordings featuring sensitive information are snooped on.

Medical records, confidential business information, criminal activity, and noisy romantic encounters are said to be some of the things the contractors have tuned in to.

Best smart speakers

Is Apple listening to your Siri recordings?

In a manner of speaking, yes.

While Apple has sought to play down the news, it has also admitted that some Siri recordings are listened to – less than 1% of daily activations, it claims – to help improve the digital assistant.

“A small portion of Siri requests are analysed to improve Siri and dictation. User requests are not associated with the user’s Apple ID. Siri responses are analysed in secure facilities and all reviewers are under the obligation to adhere to Apple’s strict confidentiality requirements," Apple told The Guardian.

The company isn't alone, however, with Siri's two main rivals, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, both also facing similar heat in the past for their privacy practices.

If you find these allegations worrying, don't worry – there's a relatively simple way to stop your Siri recordings from being made available to Apple and its partners.

How to stop Apple potentially listening to your Siri recordings

(Image credit: Apple)

As first spotted by 9to5Mac, GitHub users Jan Kaiser has shared an iOS profile that allows you to quickly turn off Siri's ability to log server-side information.

The following steps are based on our experience with an iPhone, but should be similar on an iPad.

Download the 'Prevent server-side logging of Siri commands.mobileconfig' file from GitHub here
Under 'Installation steps', click on 'direct link' at the end of step 1
A small bar should appear the bottom of your device with the option to download the file. Click on it
Once downloaded, click 'Open in' and then 'Save to Files'
Choose whether you want to save it to your iCloud Drive or iPhone – it doesn't matter which you choose
Now, go to 'Files' on your device, and you should see the profile file you just downloaded
Long press on it and you'll be offered the option to do install it
Do this, follow any further prompts, and the profile will load

You've now successfully stopped Apple from being able to potentially listen to your Siri recordings, while still being able to make use of the 'Hey Siri' prompt.

HomePod users can't install specific profiles on their device, however, so the best workaround for them is to disable active listening.

This is a pretty big deal, as it takes away the convenience of being able to interface with your speaker by saying 'Hey Siri', but it's the best we're are of at the moment.

To do this, simply say 'Hey Siri, stop listening' and your HomePod should turn off active listening.

AVG Internet Security 2015 Review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Tue, 14 May 2019 19:00:02 +0000

AVG Internet Security image: It keeps you safe on Facebook.

AVG Internet Security image: The settings are easy to configure.

AVG Internet Security image: You can schedule scans for your convenience.

AVG Internet Security image: The AVG security toolbar provides a number of conveniences.

Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from our side-by-side comparison because it has been discontinued. This company has now been acquired by Avast. You can still read our original review below, but Top Ten Reviews is no longer updating this product’s information.

AVG’s internet security suite is AVG Internet Security. It contains all of the features of AVG Antivirus – including antivirus, link protection, email protection and online shield – plus a couple more. Performance is above the industry average. It's missing a few features that our top products come with, among them parental controls and online backup tools.

AV-Test evaluated 24 of the best security software products on Windows 8.1 machines in continuous testing during July and August of 2014 to measure protection, performance and usability. Although AVG was not among the top 10 internet security products, its performance was above average in the face of fierce competition. The tests measured protection against new threats including malware, web threats and email threats. AVG exceeded the industry average of 94 percent protection. The protection tests also measured detection of widespread and prevalent malware. AVG detected 99 percent of the malware in comparison with an industry average of 98 percent. The software also exceeded the average test results in performance testing where it slowed its host computer less than the industry average. In usability tests, AVG did not match the industry average of zero false-positive identification of legitimate threats. However, keep in mind that it detected 99 percent of widespread malware, so the fact that it falsely flagged two out of 826,400 legitimate software samples as malicious is hardly an indictment.

AVG Internet Security and AVG Antivirus share a couple of other features as well: a data safe that encrypts and password-protects private files, and a file shredder that securely deletes files. The features in AVG Internet Security that AVG Antivirus lacks are antispam and a firewall. One could argue that now that the Windows firewall has become excellent, there is not much justification for a third-party firewall. However, there is no argument against the need for an antispam feature to stop spammers and scammers. In comparison with other internet security software brands, AVG Internet Security lacks features such as parental controls, a virtual keyboard, online backup and live-chat access to customer support.

AVG Internet Security is not one of the top 10 products in terms of protection from malware. Nevertheless, although some competitors have more features, AVG has features absent from some of the best internet security software: a data safe that protects files behind a password, as well as a file shredder that permanently removes deleted files. If you are content with the feature set, there is no reason to shy away from the product due to performance considerations. It does better than average at protecting against threats, and it slows down its host computer less than average.

To discover today's best security options, head to our best antivirus guide.

Easy Background Checks Review

Eli McCormick — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 17:25:47 +0000

Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from our side-by-side comparison because it has been discontinued. You can still read our original review below, but Top Ten Reviews is no longer updating this product’s information.

Easy Background Checks is run by a larger background check service called CrimCheck.com. Easy Background Checks doesn’t stand up to other companies in the people search category, though. The people searches are only mildly comprehensive compared to other services and the search system isn’t nearly as easy to use.

When conducting a people search through Easy Background Checks, you are required to have a first name, last name, age and state of residence for you search subject. This could prove troublesome to many people since they may not have much more than a name with which to do a search. You are able to preview results before buying from Easy Background Checks, but the reports don’t contain an address history, age or list of possible aliases and nicknames. While the reports still contain information on current address, phone number and possible relatives, they may not be as useful as more comprehensive reports from PeopleFinders or USA People Search . But the biggest problem with Easy Background Checks is the price of the service. You cannot buy all matching records like most other services; instead you buy a report on a single person that costs nearly as much as buying all matching records from other services.

Easy Background Checks has a fairly good support system, with phone support, email support and a FAQ for answering questions and solving problems. But that isn’t enough to make up for the mediocre service they provide.

Mobistealth Pro-X Review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Mobistealth gives you detailed information about your child’s calls, texts and GPS history as well as the apps installed on their phone. It also logs deleted content and keystrokes, which makes it hard for your child to cover up activity. New activity shows up quickly in your reports, including images shared with chat apps, so you get information in a timely manner.

This cell phone parental control software lets you restrict some of your child’s internet activity. You can block apps and websites you deem offensive, and the software notifies you when your child searches the internet using inappropriate keywords as well as when they use them in texts. However, that’s about the extent of its ability to block harmful content and images. Instead, Mobistealth focuses on monitoring and collecting data about what your child does on their mobile phone or tablet. You can access their contacts list, the images they take and store on their device, and GPS tracking data so you know where they are.

The basic Mobistealth Pro program doesn’t require you to jailbreak or root any of your child’s devices to monitor them. However, it doesn’t have as many monitoring tools as the higher-priced version, Pro-X. Mobistealth Pro doesn’t record calls or in-person conversations, and it doesn’t log chats in popular programs like Facebook Messenger, Snapchat and WhatsApp. Mobistealth Pro-X does all of these things. Pro-X can also log conversations that take place in Skype and Viber; however, you need to root or jailbreak your child’s phone to do so. Rooting or jailbreaking your device may void its warranty.

Mobistealth has a unique call recording feature you can use to capture your child’s phone conversations. You can then listen to the recordings later to make sure your child is having appropriate conversations and talking to safe people. Mobistealth can also record surround conversations – if your child has their phone on them, you can use it as a recording device to capture the face-to-face conversations they have. The recorded conversations are saved to the parent portal.

It’s easy to install this monitoring app – it takes just a few minutes to add it to each child’s iOS or Android device. You then simply log into the Mobistealth website, open the dashboard and view activity gathered from the tracked phone. Each category tab shows you correlating activity information such as text messages and installed apps. From the dashboard, you can see quick information about the last place your child was and alerts for new information.

Mobistealth doesn’t have time controls, which is probably its biggest drawback. If you want to limit the amount of time your child uses their device each day, consider Qustodio.

Need a better alternative?

Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019

Top Ten Reviews has reviewed the Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019 so that we're able to offer you the authoritative buying advice you expect.

XNSPY Premium Review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000

XNSPY collects a lot of information about what your child does on their cell phone. Through the online parent portal, you can view the reports this cell phone parental control software creates about which apps your child uses and the photos they take with and save to their cell phone as well as their call history, text messages, contact list and calendar entries. It also tracks messages sent through chat apps, such as Tinder, Skype and Facebook Messenger, and records phone calls so you can listen to them later. From the online dashboard, you can block specific contacts to keep your child from calling, texting or chatting with unsavory people.

Using the GPS system in your child’s mobile device, XNSPY lets you track your child so you always know where they are. This tool is also handy if your child’s cell phone gets lost or stolen. Further, this mobile phone monitoring app lets you control your child’s phone remotely – you can shut it down and adjust settings, even when you don’t have physical access to the device. You can also snap screenshots of the content currently on your child’s screen to see exactly what they are viewing.

XNSPY alerts you when specific words and phrases appear in your child’s sent and received text messages, emails and chat messages as well as in browser searches to help you protect them from abuse and inappropriate content. Some of these phrases include “don’t tell,” “home alone” and “give me your phone number.” The app also notifies you if they swap out the phone’s SIM card.

You must purchase a separate license for each device you want to monitor with XNSPY. This program is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, and you can track and view reports for multiple phones from a single parent dashboard.

XNSPY is missing an important feature: time controls. As such, you can’t block internet access on your child’s phone during specific times of the day or limit how long they can be online. While time controls are more commonly found in computer parental control software, there are cell phone monitoring programs, including Qustodio, Mobicip and WebWatcher, that have them for cell phones and tablets.

Need a better alternative?

Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019

Top Ten Reviews has reviewed the Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019 so that we're able to offer you the authoritative buying advice you expect.

TheOneSpy Premier Review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000

TheOneSpy is a good choice for monitoring your child’s cell phone, especially if they have an older model phone – it is compatible with BlackBerry devices as well as old and new iPhones and Android phones. This cell phone parental control software is simple to install and intuitive to use, plus it runs invisibly on your child’s phone.

With TheOneSpy, you can access your child’s phone remotely and change several settings. For example, you don’t need to physically hold the target phone to lock it and send text commands. You can even snap screenshots of whatever your child is viewing on their cell phone, and the images appear on your online dashboard shortly after.

This mobile phone monitoring software logs virtually all communication sent to and from your child through text messages and chat apps like Facebook Messenger. This is an invaluable tool that can help you protect your child from bullies and predators as well as make sure they aren’t sharing personal information. And you can use these features without rooting or jailbreaking the phone – something you have to do with other apps.

TheOneSpy tracks your child’s browser history, so you can see what they search for and look at online. You can also block them from downloading and using apps, including games and chat programs. In addition, TheOneSpy has time controls that can block internet access on your child’s cell phone or tablet during specified times of the day.

Another great tool in TheOneSpy is its surround recording. This lets you use your child’s phone as a recording device to capture the conversations they have in person. When you couple this with the app’s GPS location tracker, you have powerful information you can use to keep your child safe in real life, not just online.

However, TheOneSpy is missing some features. For example, it doesn’t have internet filters to block access to inappropriate websites. Though this feature is most commonly found in computer parental control software, some cell phone monitoring apps, including Norton Family, can also filter unsavory web content.

Need a better alternative?

Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019

Top Ten Reviews has reviewed the Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019 so that we're able to offer you the authoritative buying advice you expect.

Kidlogger Standard Review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 19:43:53 +0000

KidLogger is a very basic cell phone monitoring program – it doesn’t do much more than show you what your child is up to online when they use their cell phone or computer. The keylogger captures all keystrokes, so you can see your child’s side of chat and text conversations as well as their passwords for social media accounts and apps. And KidLogger snaps screenshots every so often so you can see what your child is looking at online.

You can set KidLogger to alert you through the parent portal when your child searches for or just types words that are potentially bad. It also lets you set URL alerts so you know when your child visits off-limit sites. However, KidLogger doesn’t actually prevent your child from visiting inappropriate webpages. Further, it doesn’t have time controls, so you can’t limit screen time. To use these features, you need to purchase a different program, such as Qustodio or Surfie. However, KidLogger lets you restrict some gaming apps, though only on Android phones.

In addition, KidLogger has video and voice capture features. These tools let you use the video recorder and microphone on your child’s computer or cell phone to capture video and voice recordings of their surroundings. As such, you can keep track of what your child does while online as well as when they talk to people face to face. It also records video calls.

During our tests, we found KidLogger is more difficult to set up than other programs. After creating an online account, you have to download the program onto each device you want to monitor. Instead of controlling settings from the parent portal, you have to create a unique password and choose your settings on the tracked device. The program is a bit antiquitated, which adds to how difficult it is to install and use. However, the online portal is more updated and looks cleaner.

KidLogger’s basic program lets you monitor five devices for free but only keeps monitored data for nine days. Its paid Standard version also monitors five devices, but it keeps captured data for a full month before deleting it. KidLogger is compatible with Mac and Windows computers as well as iPhones and Android cell phones.

Need a better alternative?

Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019

Top Ten Reviews has reviewed the Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019 so that we're able to offer you the authoritative buying advice you expect.

Mobicip Standard Review

nicole.johnston@futurenet.com (Nicole Johnston) — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 19:43:02 +0000

Mobicip cell phone monitoring software doesn’t require you to root or jailbreak your child’s phone to work. Plus, it is one of the few programs we reviewed that’s compatible with older phones, such as BlackBerrys, and mobile devices like Kindles and Chromebooks. Mobicip runs silently on all devices, so your kids can’t see it installed, which keeps them from tampering with or uninstalling the program. We loved how easy it was to set up and the impressive amount of control it gives parents over blocking content and tracking online activity.

During our testing, Mobicip was easy to set up, although we had to grant the program administrative permissions on each monitored device. Doing so allowed us to remotely control the target device from the parent portal or app – we could grant the child permission to access the phone itself, set limits on internet activity and change settings on the monitored device. It also made Mobicip a little trickier to remove once we were done testing, but that means the app is equally difficult for your child to remove.

We had difficulty installing the program on a Kindle Fire, though Mobicip advertises on its website that it can monitor that type of device. However, we didn’t encounter hiccups installing or setting up the program on any other devices, including computers and Android and iOS phones.

The app captures keystrokes, so you can see what your child texts, their passwords for social media and messaging apps, and the search terms they enter into search engines like Google and Safari. Further, Mobicip logs keystrokes even if they’ve been erased. You can also set the program to recognize certain keywords and phrases, which makes it easy to see in the parent reports if your child tried to search for something inappropriate or texted or chatted about off-limits topics.

The program can also filter internet content in 30 categories, including chat, gambling, gaming, alcohol and mature/adult content. When you enable a filter, the app blocks your child from accessing web content that pertains to that category. If you don’t want to take the time to set each filter individually, you can simply choose one of Mobicip’s age-appropriate control settings, and the program will block content based on websites’ content ratings.

There are additional filters specifically for social media apps, such as Instagram, TikTok (formerly Musical.ly) and Facebook, as well as other filters for video apps like YouTube, Flixster and Netflix. Like its web filters, when you enable an app filter, Mobicip blocks your child from accessing that specific app. You can also block apps Mobicip doesn’t have preset filters for. Using the program’s search feature, you can find and block any app found in either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Mobicip includes time controls you can set to restrict your child’s access to games, apps and the internet during certain times of day – for example, you can block games during school hours. Similarly, you can set time limits so they can only use certain features and apps for a set number of minutes each day. Mobicip can also block access to the whole device so your child can’t text or even view the home screen without permission.

In addition, Mobicip uses the target phone’s GPS system make sure your child really is where they said they would be. This feature can also help you locate the phone if it is lost or stolen.

One of Mobicip’s best features is its real-time reports in the parent portal that show you what your child is doing. If they access something dangerous, you can remotely lock their phone until you have a chance to chat with them about it.

Mobicip has almost everything we looked for. However, it doesn’t send you text alerts about your child’s activity. Instead, you have to access the parent portal, either online or through the mobile app, to see what you child is up to and where they are. You can set up email alerts, though they aren’t as quick as text alerts, which limits how useful they are in an emergency.

The Standard package costs less than $50 and comes with five user licenses, so you can monitor multiple devices. If you need more, you can purchase Mobicip’s Enterprise package, which includes 20 or more licenses. However, you need to request a quote for the price. We used the free trial for our testing, and it offered us additional package options and better pricing through our online account as an incentive to choose Mobicip as a permanent solution.

Need a better alternative?

Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019

Top Ten Reviews has reviewed the Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2019 so that we're able to offer you the authoritative buying advice you expect.

Latest from Top Ten Reviews in Web-security

Best computer protection software 2022

Best computer protection software

Best computer protection software

3. AVG Ultimate

Buying advice for the best computer protection software

Do you need an antivirus for Windows 10?

Antivirus vs. Internet Security vs. Computer Protection Software

How much can I expect to pay for complete computer protection?

How Does Malware Get Onto Your Computer?

Can viruses steal personal information?

Important Features to Look for When Buying Computer Protection Software

Watch What You Share on Social Media

Best internet filter software: protect your family with these website blockers

The best internet filter software we recommend

The best internet filter software overall

1. Qustodio

The best for tracking kids' social media activity

2. Net Nanny

The best internet filter software with a free package

3. OpenDNS

The best internet filter for safeguarding your child's cell phone use

4. Surfie

The best internet filter software for virus protection

5. AVG Ultimate

The best internet filter software for Mac users

6. ContentBarrier

How to choose the best internet filter software for you

Internet filter software FAQs

How much does internet filter software cost?

What is the most secure web browser in 2026?

Which is the most secure web browser?

Best internet security software: Protect your online devices

Internet Security Software Explainer

Best internet security software

1. Bitdefender Total Security: Best internet security overall

2. Norton 360: Best premium security

3. Kaspersky Internet Security: Best malware protection

4. Avast Premium Security: Best for casual use

5. McAfee Total Protection: Best for technophobes

6. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE: Best for ease of use

7. Trend Micro Antivirus Plus: Best for ransomware cover

8. VIPRE Advanced Security: Best for minimal strain

9. Webroot Secureanywhere: Uniquely light system

Buying advice for the best internet security software

Why trust us on internet security software?

What is the difference between antivirus software and an internet security suite?

What should internet security software come with?

How much does an internet security program cost?

Best antivirus software: Stay safe online with premium and free software

Antivirus software explainer

Best antivirus software

3. AVG Ultimate

10. Norton 360 Deluxe

How we tested the best antivirus software

Antivirus software FAQs

Can antivirus software remove existing viruses?

How much does good antivirus software cost?

Using your data to help others

What is the best mobile antivirus software?

What is the best antivirus for business?

Do I need to uninstall an old antivirus program before installing a new one?

What is a personal firewall?

Best VPN service 2022: keep your data secure

1. ExpressVPN: Best VPN service 2022

2. IPVanish: Best VPN for P2P

3. Malwarebytes Privacy: Best VPN for online security

4. Hotspot Shield: Best free VPN

5. CyberGhost: Good all-rounder VPN

6. Surfshark: Best VPN for beginners

7. NordVPN: A much improving VPN service

8. KeepSolid VPN: Best VPN for Netflix

9. TunnelBear: Best budget VPN service

10. Private Internet Access: Superb security VPN

11. StrongVPN: Good for multiple devices

How we test VPN services

Best VPN services: how to choose the right one

Google aims to simplify logging in anywhere

Malwarebytes Privacy review

Malwarebytes Privacy review: User interface