Best Internet Security Software Reviews
While the internet is a true blessing, it’s also a minefield of cyber criminals and viruses. Thankfully, internet security software is there to prevent any cyber threats from occurring. And here, at Best Reviews, you can learn about the best internet security solutions from antiviruses and VPNs to password managers and security suites. Through our expert-written reviews, side-by-side comparisons, and other captivating articles you’ll find the software that provides the best protection for you.
Best Internet Security Software of 2023
Best Internet Security Suites of 2023
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Best Mac Security Software of 2023
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Best Parental Control Software of 2023
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Best Antivirus Software of 2023
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Best VPN Services of 2023
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Best Password Managers of 2023
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Antivirus
Since all devices connecting to the internet are at potential risk, having an antivirus installed on each of them as the first line of defense against cyber attacks is the bare minimum. Thankfully, antiviruses all share the same set of core features regardless of whether there are free, built-in, or paid solutions. For starters, there is the real-time shield, which constantly monitors your online activities for anything harmful, running in the background. Antivirus software is also equipped with powerful on-demand virus scans that search deep inside the device and remove malware from anywhere, after which it can either be safely isolated in quarantine for proper examination or completely destroyed.
More advanced antivirus solutions are very much like their free and built-in counterparts, but they usually go beyond basic antivirus protection. In fact, with such an app there are usually bespoke features like the protection against ransomware encrypting your files, sandboxing of suspicious programs, and much more.
Internet Security Suites
Contrary to popular belief, having just an antivirus is simply not enough to be protected against cyber criminals. This is exactly why internet security companies produce bundles of software. On top of the antivirus, these suites come with various other apps for security purposes, including but not limited to firewalls, parental control tools, VPNs, password managers, and performance boosters like cleanup solutions and driver or software updating functionality.
Like its name suggests, internet security suites are a collection of programs, each of which have to be managed separately. However, this inconvenience is a small price to pay compared to the fact that not only do these software bundles cover everything related to internet security, but they are also cheaper than if each solution included in the package was purchased separately. And if that’s not enough, these suites are compatible with the best-known platforms and can be installed and used on multiple devices at the same time.
Mac Security Software
Even though Macs are less prone to being infected and are equipped with handy security tools, they also need to be protected the same way as PCs. As such, many of the internet security solutions available for Windows are adapted to macOS, so even Mac users can enjoy the benefits these apps provide. Similar to internet security suites, Mac security solutions are mostly software bundles that contain multiple apps tailored to dealing with different cyber security issues. This means that aside from antiviruses for Mac, users also get additional tools to improve their overall security and the performance of their computers in the form of firewalls, VPNs, parental control software, Mac optimization software, and the list goes on.
Another similarity with internet security suites is that any of the apps included in Mac security software can be substituted by other solutions, and each program can be purchased separately.
VPN Services
Nobody likes to be restricted when it comes to browsing the web and nobody wants to be pried upon by their internet service providers or, even worse, wrongdoers. This is exactly what virtual private networks, better known as VPNs, are able to prevent. Once the VPN is active, you’ll be assigned a new IP address that masks the real one, making you virtually invisible. With this simple technique a VPN can ensure that nobody can see sensitive information like passwords, credit card data, and the like.
However, VPNs can do more than just hiding your internet traffic from prying eyes. In fact, the main reason why many people opt for a VPN is that they often have servers in foreign countries. Connecting to these will make it appear as though the computer you’re accessing from is in the server’s country, masking you from ISPs and allowing you to access content that may be locked to certain geographical locations.
Password Managers
Being expected to come up with complex passwords is a must to ensure cyber criminals never access our most sensitive data, but memorizing the login credentials of hundreds of different accounts is just impossible. This is where password managers enter the picture. Whether they have are downloaded to the desktop or exist in the cloud, these solutions provide an encrypted vault where you can store passwords and other sensitive information like personal data, credit cards, IDs, and so on.
In addition to this, password managers seamlessly integrate with browsers, filling in all your information when logging into an account. This means that those insanely complicated passwords can simply be forgotten since the password manager will remember them all for you. In fact, you’ll only need to memorize one password: the master password, which unlocks the vault.
Internet Security in 2023
The Era of More Sinister Threats
On the surface, the situation regarding internet security isn’t that bad. Built-in antiviruses like Windows Defender provide decent protection, VPNs are becoming more and more prevalent thanks to geo-blocking and dubious decisions like net neutrality, and it seems that we are slowly warming up to the idea of creating passwords that aren’t “qwerty” and the like. Sadly, cyber attacks are getting more sophisticated with each passing year, since criminals always find new ways to cause major damage to personal and business users alike. In fact, the signs of the areas affected are already visible:
- Cryptojacking: Hackers can now hide malicious code in seemingly harmless websites that, once activated, uses the resources of the victim’s device for mining cryptocurrencies. And the only way of detecting this is noticing the CPU is being overused.
- Sophisticated phishing: Even though phishing isn’t too hard to avoid, attempts are getting disturbingly convincing thanks to the misuse of AI so that, in many cases, it’s hard to tell the difference between real messages or websites and fake ones.
- Evolved viruses and ransomware: Remember Petya and WannaCry that brought several healthcare institutes to their knees? Those were just warming up. Ransomware is getting harder to spot and even harder to get rid of. What’s even worse is that viruses are changing so rapidly that antivirus software has no choice but to take a leap of faith and bust potential malware based on nothing but behavioral patterns.
- Unprotected IoT devices: While computers and smartphones receive proper care from users, there are other connected devices that are neglected from a security point of view. And this is a mistake that wrongdoers will gladly expose, even going as far as to take control over semi-autonomous vehicles or in-home security devices.
Why Is There Mistrust of Internet Security Solutions?
No matter how many times experts warn us, the vast majority of users still don’t care about their online safety, whether they are at home or at work. For the most part this is due to simple negligence; we like to believe that we aren’t at risk and that the most basic protection methods can stop cyber criminals. On the other hand, internet security solutions aren’t completely infallible, meaning that even if wrongdoers are kept out, victory will only be temporary.
And sometimes there are certain things that nobody can be prepared for, such as the two computer chip bugs, Spectre and Meltdown, that were enough to cause a global panic. So it’s not surprising that all those warnings and the constant blunders made by IT giants are reduced to background noise, leaving users to wonder: if not even the recommended solutions can protect us, then what will?
Despite all this terrible news circling around the internet, the best offense is still a good defense. Even using one type of internet security tool can make a huge difference, but combining as many solutions as possible – such as a VPN, a password manager, and an antivirus together – can reduce the chance of being attacked down significantly.
Why Do I Need Internet Security Software?
The most advanced malware is capable of fooling even the best antivirus solutions. Phishing emails are getting disturbingly convincing, since anyone with decent HTML knowledge can put together a phony login page that is eerily similar to the true equivalent. And we haven’t even talked about online predators, the tracking methods of ISPs, or the ridiculously easy ways in which passwords can be stolen. In short, the internet is a dangerous place and approaching it without caution is like petting a hungry T-Rex: you just don’t do it.
In that regard, a single security solution is already a huge step towards safeguarding yourself in the online world but to achieve the fullest of protection, internet security suites – which are multiple apps packaged together – are by far the best option for safety. This way not you’ll be able to stay safe online with every potential threat protected against without the need to change most of your habits. In some cases it’s even possible to extend this protection to family members or colleagues.
Why Is There No All-in-One Internet Security Solution?
Though it would be logical to have a single internet security solution to battle against every form of cyber attack, the only way to ensure protection against everything harmful is via a combination of various internet security software. The reason for this fragmentation is simple: each app is tailored to focus on a particular issue and deal with the specific problem in the most effective way possible.
Thankfully, internet security service providers know that being prepared for every eventuality is key to staying secure, which is why they usually offer each of their solutions as part of bundles or complete suites. This way users can decide whether they opt for all of the internet security apps of just one company or complete their protection with other programs from different providers. Note, however, that while the former option is more convenient, creating your own internet security ‘mix’ is the only way to guarantee that all the necessary apps – most importantly an antivirus, a VPN, and a password manager – are in your possession.
