Everything here is something we actually recommend. Tools we've evaluated, sources we read, and resources we point our neighbors to when they need help. No commissions, no sponsorships. Just honest picks, kept current.
Software and services worth adding to your digital life. Evaluated for reliability, privacy, and value to a home audience.
Free password manager. Open source, highly trusted, and easy to use across all your devices.
Free two-factor authentication app from Microsoft. Adds a critical second layer to your most important accounts.
Premium password manager. Worth the annual fee for its polished interface and family sharing features.
Free two-factor authentication app from Google. Simple, reliable, and works with most sites and services.
Privacy-focused browser with built-in ad and tracker blocking. Strong privacy defaults right out of the box, no setup required.
Independent privacy-focused search engine that builds its own results index rather than relying on Google or Bing.
Privacy-focused browser with strong security settings. Works best with a few minutes of setup in the privacy preferences.
Privacy-focused search engine that doesn't track your searches or build a profile on you.
Free browser extension that blocks trackers and ads. Most useful for Chrome and Edge users. Brave users already have comparable protection built in.
Built-in antivirus for Windows. Genuinely solid protection that comes free with every Windows device.
On-demand malware scanner for Windows and Mac. A trusted second opinion tool rather than a full-time replacement for your built-in protection.
Built-in malware protection for Mac. Active in the background by default on every Apple device.
Built-in Apple tool to locate, lock, or remotely wipe a lost or stolen iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Built-in Google tool to locate, lock, or remotely wipe a lost or stolen Android device.
Free network scanner app for iOS and Android. Shows every device connected to your home network so you know exactly what's on it.
Apple's built-in cloud backup for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Turn it on and your data backs up automatically.
Google's cloud backup and storage. Built into Android devices and available on any platform.
Microsoft's cloud backup and storage. Built into Windows and a natural starting point for most PC users.
Dedicated cloud backup service for your computer. Unlike cloud storage, it creates true versioned backups that protect against ransomware and accidental deletion. Plans start around $99 per year.
Automated data broker opt-out service. Sends removal requests to hundreds of sites that sell your personal information and repeats the process as your data reappears.
Data broker opt-out service using a human-driven approach. Covers a wide range of people-search and data broker sites with a focus on the highest-risk listings first.
Sources we read and return to. No technical background required.
Free monthly security awareness newsletter written for everyday people, not IT professionals. Each issue covers one practical topic in plain English. sans.org/newsletters/ouch
Plain-English cybersecurity guidance for individuals and families from the federal agency responsible for national cyber defense. cisa.gov/secure-our-world
Real-time scam and fraud alerts from the Federal Trade Commission. One of the best places to find out what scams are circulating right now. consumer.ftc.gov/scams
Trusted ratings, reviews, and digital literacy guidance for families with kids. Covers apps, games, shows, and online safety by age group. commonsensemedia.org
Practical online safety guidance for parents from a 30-year cybersecurity expert and dad. No jargon, no scare tactics. familyitguy.com
Free fraud prevention resource for people of all ages. Includes scam alerts, a fraud tracking map, tip sheets, and a free helpline at 877-908-3360. aarp.org/money/scams-fraud
Where to go when something has gone wrong, or when you want to get ahead of a specific risk. Start with local law enforcement for anything that happened directly to you. For online crimes involving unknown or out-of-state actors, IC3 is the right place to report.
Free tool to check whether your email address or phone number has appeared in a known data breach. haveibeenpwned.com
The only federally authorized source for free credit reports. All three bureaus now offer free weekly access. annualcreditreport.com
A six-digit PIN from the IRS that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number. Free to set up at irs.gov/identity-theft-central
The FTC's identity theft recovery tool. Creates a personalized recovery plan, generates the affidavit creditors require, and tracks your progress. identitytheft.gov
Freeze your Equifax credit file to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Free and reversible. equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze
Freeze your Experian credit file. Free and reversible. experian.com/freeze/center.html
Freeze your TransUnion credit file. Free and reversible. transunion.com/credit-freeze
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The right place to report online crimes involving unknown or out-of-state actors, financial fraud, and cybercrime. ic3.gov
Report scams and fraud directly to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps track trends and can lead to enforcement action. reportfraud.ftc.gov
Everything on this page is here because we believe in it, not because anyone paid us to say so. No commissions, no sponsorships, no arrangements of any kind. Just honest picks from people who spend a lot of time in this space and genuinely want to help you make good decisions.
We update this page as our recommendations evolve, and we'll flag meaningful changes when we make them. We'd also ask for a little grace on one thing: the tools and organizations listed here are independent of Community Cyber, and they make their own choices. A product we recommend today could change tomorrow in ways we can't anticipate or control. Our commitment is to keep this list as current and trustworthy as we can, and to hear from you if something doesn't seem right.
This list is curated, not comprehensive. There is always more out there, and what's right for your household depends on your situation. If you have a question about a specific tool, want a second opinion on something you're already using, or just aren't sure where to start, reach out.
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