Suggestions to help you stay safer online
We’ve done our homework by putting these solutions together for you so that you don’t have to spend time finding them for yourself.
There so much available here that’s FREE, as well as premium products with free trials.
Password Generator
We've got a password generator for you if you need help being creative. We've also got links through to some of the best password manager apps.
Authenticator Solutions
If you're stepping-up your security by using 2-factor or Multi-factor Authentication, these apps or USB keys will generate the codes you need.
Antivirus/anti-malware Software
Help to keep viruses and other malware at bay by making sure you have comprehensive antivirus software. You'll find some great deals here.
VPNs
Make sure your online connection and the data you send and receive is kept hidden from any unwanted intrusion by using one of these VPNs.
All-in-one Security Packages
If you're looking for the whole security suite, although not free, these all-in-one security options can represent fantastic value for money.
If you decide to click-through and purchase from one of the providers listed below, techdebunked.com may receive a small commission which, in turn, helps us keep our site up-to-date with all the latest news and help.
Password generators, managers and authentication apps
If you’re looking to break-out of running the same passwords for everything, or ditching variations of the same passwords all over the place, then the handy strong password generator below will help to get you started …
As a first step in making your online accounts more secure, you might want to consider using longer or less obvious passwords.
Using our handy password generator here, you can choose the length of the password, and whether you want any special symbols in it, as some sites and services require you to have them.
Password Generator
If you want to go that step further and let a password manager help generate, store and manage all your various online log-in details, then check out the very highly-rated apps below:
Lastpass – consistently rated in the top two password managers worldwide. It’s FREE to try for a whole 30 days!
Lastpass – consistently rated in the top two password managers worldwide. It’s FREE to try for a whole 30 days!
Dashlane – also often rated in the top two password managers worldwide. It’s FREE for one device.
Dashlane – also often rated in the top two password managers worldwide. It’s FREE for one device.
1Password – another of the top 10 password managers worldwide. It’s FREE for 30 days.
1Password – another of the top 10 password managers worldwide. It’s FREE for 30 days.
These apps can be installed on your phone (Authy can also be installed on laptops and desktops) and generate a random 6-digit code that changes every 30 seconds for each account that you link to the app.
When you sign-in to your account, as well as your username and password, you’ll be asked for the current 6-digit code for that account. That tells the service that you’re logging-into that you have that second piece of identity verification i.e. you have your phone with you, and so is a more secure way of signing-in.
In other words, anyone trying to log-in as you without your phone wouldn’t be able to.
Bear in mind, with the exception of Authy (which you can sync across multiple devices), if you change your phone, you will also have to link the accounts in the new app on the new phone before you get rid of your old one, otherwise you won’t be able to sign-in to any of them.
Google Authenticator – probably the most widely-used and broadly compatible code generator out there. FREE.
Google Authenticator – probably the most widely-used and broadly compatible code generator out there. FREE.
Microsoft Authenticator – another broadly-accepted generator. FREE.
Microsoft Authenticator – another broadly-accepted generator. FREE.
These physical keys can be used with a certain number of online services only i.e. they are not as universally-accepted as the authentication apps above.
However, they also mean you don’t have to have your phone with you – maybe just your home or car key ring that you have attached the authentication key to.
These keys can either be the type that you plug-in via USB (A or C), or that you tap via NFC (like you use a contactless payment card) or via Bluetooth.
Yubikey by Yubico – more and more sites are accepting this form of “physical” validation that it is you attempting to log-in. If that extra level of security is for you, then this might be the right solution. $20 upwards.
Yubikey by Yubico – more and more sites are accepting this form of “physical” validation that it is you attempting to log-in. If that extra level of security is for you, then this might be the right solution. $20 upwards.
The Titan Security Key from Google – another “physical” validation key that is accepted by an increasing number of sites. £50/$50.
Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
Please be aware that free versions of apps that have paid-for premium alternatives often come with annoying privacy settings that can mean you’re marketed to upgrade, or annoying ads pop-up all over the place. This health warning does not apply to premium apps with free or trial periods, but you should still check very carefully what contact and data permissions you give to any software provider.
Avast Internet Security – regularly in the top 3 FREE antivirus applications. Paid options include more on-demand features and other services like VPN and password protection.
Avast Internet Security – regularly in the top 3 FREE antivirus applications. Paid options include more on-demand features and other services like VPN and password protection.
Malwarebytes – sets itself apart from all other antivirus software by pro-actively seeking-out new malware to stop it even threatening the devices it’s installed on. FREE 14-day trial.
Malwarebytes – sets itself apart from all other antivirus software by pro-actively seeking-out new malware to stop it even threatening the devices it’s installed on. FREE 14-day trial.
Bitdefender – recently rated No1 antivirus software by several established sources and they claim to have the highest malware detection rates of any in the last 5 years. Not free but even the standard products (Plus) covers up to 3 devices.
Bitdefender – recently rated No1 antivirus software by several established sources and they claim to have the highest malware detection rates of any in the last 5 years. Not free but even the standard products (Plus) covers up to 3 devices.
Norton (by Symantec) – has re-established itself as one of the most thorough, comprehensive but least resource-hungy antivirus solutions out there. No free trial unfortunately but there is a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Norton (by Symantec) – has re-established itself as one of the most thorough, comprehensive but least resource-hungy antivirus solutions out there. No free trial unfortunately but there is a 60-day money-back guarantee.
VPN Software
Special note for free VPN services: On security grounds, we are very wary of suggesting our users try any of the free VPN services out there (please read this article for our full take on it).
As a result we will never include a free VPN provider in our list below. The providers we highlight here are long-established and independently-audited for security compliance.
As always, please also be aware that free versions of apps that have paid-for premium alternatives often come with annoying privacy settings that can mean you’re marketed to upgrade, or annoying ads pop-up all over the place. This health warning does not apply to premium apps with free or trial periods, but you should still check very carefully what contact and data permissions you give to any software provider.
Express VPN – consistently ranked as the highest performing VPN worldwide. No free trial, but you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Express VPN – consistently ranked as the highest performing VPN worldwide. No free trial, but you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish – always rated very highly for speed. No free trial, but there are monthly, quarterly and annual plans and you do get a 7-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish – always rated very highly for speed. No free trial, but there are monthly, quarterly and annual plans and you do get a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Nord VPN – top 3 performer in virtually all reviews. No free trial, but there are often very heavy sale discounts on (often as much as 70% or 80%!) and you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Nord VPN – top 3 performer in virtually all reviews. No free trial, but there are often very heavy sale discounts on (often as much as 70% or 80%!) and you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
All-in-one online security packages
Many of the antivirus products above can be upgraded to full online security suites with a VPN, password manager and other elements. That can get quite expensive.
The software in the all-in-one packages below has been put together by third parties to balance protection with value.
While these packages might not bring together the specific brands you might be looking for, they can represent fantastic value for money while tackling some of the major online security issues at the same time.
The Vault all-in-one online security package – solves most of your online security challenges in one package – Nord VPN, Dashlane password manager, Degoo online storage and Panda antivirus all for as little as $8.25 a month when paid annually. 7-day free trial with annual payment plan.
