Technology has changed significantly over the past few decades. It’s become difficult to live without some form of technological device in today’s modern society. It’s nearly impossible to go without a smartphone for example. 

Whether you have a device for entertainment, work, or just to stay in touch with friends and family, you need to be aware of the dangers that you could be facing on the internet. Cybercrime is on the rise, and there are more risks than we have ever experienced before.

The only way to protect yourself against cyberattacks is by investing in premium cybersecurity tools. You might be asking yourself though: what are the best cybersecurity tools on the market? If you want to ensure that your device will be protected against the malicious intentions of hackers, make sure you keep reading to find out what you need to install on your device.

The Sudden Spike in Cybercrime

Before we look into the various cyber security tools that you might need to install on your device, let’s first take a closer look at why cybercrime has risen so significantly in recent years. We saw a massive spike in cyberattacks since 2020, and there are two main reasons for this sudden spike.

The first reason is that more people are starting to use some form of technological device. Whether it’s a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet, these devices have become essential in our modern society. We need them for work, entertainment, and communication. While more and more people are investing in these devices, the majority of them are not aware of the threats that cybercrime poses against them. This means that they do not take the required measures to protect their devices against these threats, and they are more likely to fall for phishing scams that can do devastating damage.

The other reason why we saw such a sudden spike in cyberattacks is as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused a global shutdown all around the world, leaving many people in lockdown. People had to stay entertained without going outside, and many people had to start working remotely too. This caused a massive increase in screen time, and also more opportunities for cybercriminals to take advantage of more potential victims.

Unfortunately, most people tend to overlook the dangers of cybercrime until it’s too late. Many people believe that they won’t be a victim and that the damage caused by cybercrime can’t be as extreme as many people say it is. One often overlooked component is human risk. Even the most robust systems can be compromised due to human error or oversight. Recognizing and addressing this vulnerability is paramount. It’s always better to be safe than sorry though, and investing in just one of the cybersecurity tools below, or even an MS cybersecurity online course, is a good step in the right direction.

Antivirus Software

The first important tool that you should invest in is premium antivirus software. Antivirus software will constantly scan your device for any viruses. If any viruses have been discovered on your device, the software can make sure to remove them safely from your device. Some premium antivirus software is also able to scan links and emails before you open them to ensure that they are legitimate — this is always a great feature to look out for when choosing your antivirus software.

Viruses and other forms of malicious software can be extremely dangerous. Viruses can range from simply being annoying to being so dangerous that they can destroy your entire operating system, leaving you in need of a brand new device. Viruses can also corrupt some of your important files, and they can sometimes spread through links, emails, USBs, and external hard drivers, so it’s important to catch them before they get onto your device.

VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network as it’s sometimes known, is just as important. It’s the ultimate privacy and security tool that you can have on your device. You need to have one of these tools on your device if you find yourself traveling a lot. That’s because this device is able to encrypt your internet connection — keeping you safe from DDoS attacks while you’re using unsecured networks such as the public WiFi hotspots we often find at airports, hotels, and restaurants. 

A VPN can also let you change your virtual location by allowing you to connect to a secure global server in another country or city around the world. This allows you to bypass geo-blocking and internet censorship, and it also gives you the ability to find cheaper flights and accommodation in different countries.

Password Manager

One of the biggest flaws on most people’s devices is their passwords. Many people use their personal information —  such as their name and date of birth — to create their passwords. While this might be easy to remember, it’s also easier for a hacker to breach your accounts if they’re able to find your information. Finding your information is easy when you consider how much social media knows about us.

The key to keeping your accounts and your devices secure is using strong and unique passwords. These passwords are much better, but they can be difficult to remember and keep track of, especially when each of your accounts uses a different strong password. However, if you use a premium password manager you don’t have to worry about that. The default password manager on your device or browser is not secure and can easily be breached —  allowing cybercriminals to steal your login information. Premium password managers on the other hand are locked with a unique master key that only you have access to. Password managers can also create randomized passwords for you and automatically input your passwords anywhere you require.

Important Things to Remember

Before you install any of the above cyber security measures on your device there are a few important rules to remember. The first is that you need to make sure to avoid free cybersecurity tools, as they won’t do the job as well as premium versions. Free tools might not be safe, too.

You also need to ensure that you always keep your device and the cybersecurity tools up to date. Software updates are regularly sent out to fix any flaws that have been discovered in the software. They are also often used to add extra security measures in place to protect your device against new tactics that cybercriminals are using.