LastPass
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Free to download; monthly subscriptions range from no charge to $4
Good passwords are hard to come up with on your own. Cybersecurity experts suggest using a different random password for every online account you have. But how on earth will you keep everything straight? “I personally use the password manager LastPass,” says Adam Aviv, PhD, associate professor of computer science at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Not only does this security app randomly generate secure passwords—no more using the names of your kids—but it also remembers them for you and automatically fills them into the password field when you try to log in to an account. It’s available for mobile and computer use, so you’ll never need to hit the “I forgot my password” button again.
1Password
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Free to download; monthly subscriptions start at $3
Like LastPass, the password manager 1Password is a favorite of cybersecurity experts. Use it to generate strong passwords, autofill passwords when logging in to your accounts, and store passwords on all your devices. Although it doesn’t offer a free version, the mobile 1Password app is easier to set up and use than the mobile LastPass app, according to cybersecurity website CyberNews. It also offers more storage space to protect sensitive photos—like a snap of your driver’s license. Once you’ve set up 1Password on your phone, check out these iPhone privacy settings.
Signal Private Messenger
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Free to download
Worried that someone is snooping on your texts? Leery about sending sensitive info—about finances or health, for example—via text? Secure messaging apps like Signal convert text into a form that only the sender and recipient can read. “For encrypted messaging, Signal is great,” says Aviv. Download it to send secure text messages, photos, and voice messages, or to make calls and video calls.
NordVPN
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Starts at $3.99 per month
Getting your work done in a cute coffee bar sounds like the dream, but it does pose an extra security threat compared with your own home or office network. Hackers have a lot of ways to steal data from public Wi-Fi hot spots. “If you have to spend money on an app, the first place to spend it is a VPN service,” says D’Ovidio.
Short for “virtual private networks,” VPNs essentially supply an encrypted tunnel for your data by hiding your IP address on public networks. With NordVPN, you can connect up to six devices in one account. Another reason to drop cash on this security app? Google tracks you online, and most websites use cookies to track you too. But a VPN makes it much harder for them to follow you around the Internet.
ExpressVPN
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Starts at $8.32 per month
Another VPN provider highly recommended by experts, ExpressVPN costs a bit more than other options but generally supplies a faster connection. This security app also has the edge for a feature called split tunneling, allowing users to choose which apps use VPN and which access the Internet directly. For example, you might want to stream Ozark from Netflix as usual but have ExpressVPN provide the connection for your work email or for Safari as you browse the Internet anonymously. The app works on all devices, from your smartphone and computer to your smart TV.
SAFE Me
SAFE Me
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Free
Like the name suggests, this security app keeps your device safe. It tells you how safe your device is—and gives you specific, easy-to-follow suggestions for improvements. It uses your configuration settings and other factors to assign your phone a numerical security rating. For instance, if you have notifications enabled on the lock screen, your device will rate lower. The app also reports security breaches that may have compromised your password. It clearly explains what to do in these cases and provides free training videos on a variety of security topics. Speaking of taking action to secure your device: Here’s how to remove spyware from an iPhone.
AT&T ActiveArmor
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Free to $4 monthly
Available to anyone with AT&T wireless or prepaid service, the no-charge version of this app automatically blocks fraud calls, sends unknown callers to voicemail, and alerts you about data breaches. For an extra fee, you receive protection on public Wi-Fi and alerts if your personal info is leaked. You can also enter any U.S. phone number to receive info about the caller. That’ll help you avoid falling prey to a spoofing call.
Google Authenticator
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Free
Even a strong password doesn’t supply all the security you need. Two-factor authentication (2FA) gives you an extra layer of protection. “It relies on something you know—your password—and something you have, like your cell,” says D’Ovidio. For instance, after you enter your password, you may receive a text with a code that you need to enter for access. This security app takes that protection to the next level. It scans QR codes on participating websites to create two-factor authorization codes within the app, so you don’t need to have them texted to you. You’ll want to set up 2FA for all your accounts—it’ll help you avoid getting hacked on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites.
McAfee Total Protection
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Starts at $35 per year
A VPN and antivirus app all rolled into one, McAfee is a one-stop security shop available for your smartphone, tablet, and computer. Advanced plans offer identity monitoring and identity theft insurance coverage. You’ll also receive a “protection score” to see how safe you are online and alerts if a company experiences a data breach and leaks your information.
Norton 360
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: Starts at $15 annually
Depending on the plan you opt for, this app can provide secure VPN and antivirus protection for up to five devices. It also monitors the dark web—the Internet underground world where confidential info is bought and sold—to make sure your passwords, social security number, and other keys to your identity haven’t leaked. That’s important because hackers can do a whole lot with just your email address.
Bitdefender Mobile Security
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: $15 annually
Keep your personal information secure and avoid malware and tricky phishing websites with this do-it-all security app. Bitdefender includes a VPN, protects your passwords and other personal information, filters traffic from other apps to stop your data from being exposed, and more. And it does all that without draining your battery. Don’t want to pay $15 a year for this hard-core security? Android users can download Bitdefender Antivirus Free (at no cost, naturally) to get pared-down offerings that include malware protection and scans to ensure your device stays secure.
Sources:
- Identity Theft Resource Center: “Identity Theft Resource Center’s 2021 Annual Data Breach Report Sets New Record for Number of Compromises”
- Robert D’Ovidio, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies at Drexel University
- Adam Aviv, PhD, associate professor of computer science at The George Washington University
- CyberNews: “1Password vs. LastPass”