Parental Control

Child Safe Internet Filter: Overview of Parental Control Suites and What You Can Expect With Them

The internet can be a dangerous place – even for adults. Parents must take extra precautions to ensure that their children do not run into anything or anyone who could harm them. While there are a bunch of free built-in tools with every computer, mobile phone, and tablet that you can use to protect your kids, they aren’t necessarily enough. It’s better that you invest in a quality child safe internet filter service that neither your kids nor anyone else will be able to sneak around.

Don’t think of internet filters as just being something that blocks certain types of web content. While you’ll want that, you will also want to make sure your kids aren’t bothered by anyone on social media, or receive messages from strangers. Some child cyber protection software also allows you to limit their screen time and schedule for their computers and smartphones to automatically shut off at certain times.

If you have more than one child, then choose a suite that comes with a variety of filters that you can set individually for each child. Some will allow you to create a profile for each child, where you’ll have the ability to specify different rules for each, depending on their age and maturity level. For instance, you can block certain YouTube videos and websites that might be inappropriate for small children, yet allow your teenagers to access them. Choose a parental control program that will give you the amount of control you want.

Child Safe Internet Filter Usage Reports

Decide if you will want usage reports. Some parents don’t want to opt for this feature because they feel as though they might be intruding on their kids’ privacy. If your kids a bit older, you might not want to intrude too much. It’s entirely up to you. Do you want the usage report to be as specific as possible, or do you just want to be notified if they attempt to do something that might be concerning to you, or even dangerous.

Since everybody of all ages gets on the internet on more than just a home computer these days, it’s worth looking into a child safe internet filter service that you can use on smartphones and tablets too. Look for a good deal on a service that will allow you to sync the filters and settings on all devices with a single subscription.

No matter what you are looking for, Qustodio is the one parental control suite that simplifies everything. It offers cross-platform support, location tracking, time scheduler, and a broad range of child safe internet filter tools. Be sure and use Qustodio discounts to get a good deal on a subscription.

Antivirus

Good Antivirus for Windows 7: How to Choose Internet Protection Software for a Windows 7 PC

There are still a lot of people who use Windows 7, either because they are unable to upgrade to 10 or because they prefer 7. Either way, it’s good to know that there are still some antivirus programs that work with 7. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money, since some of the top names in the computer security industry offer a good antivirus for Windows 7 at a very affordable price.

There are free versions of security programs, but they are very limited and usually come with ads. It’s better to take advantage of a free trial of a paid program and then decide whether or not it is worth paying for when the free trial period is up. If you want to try another one, make sure you uninstall the first program and get rid of all traces of it on your PC.

Whichever program you choose, make sure it has features like a software updater. Outdated software is a huge potential risk on computers as it can leave the system vulnerable. Hackers always figure out a way to get through unpatched vulnerabilities. A good antivirus for Windows 7 will also update itself regularly and automatically so that users won’t have to.

Good Antivirus for Windows 7 for Just One PC

If you only need protection for one Windows 7 PC then you can save money, since most security programs offer a cheaper subscription price for those who don’t require protection on multiple devices. If you do need that, however, you still might be able to find a good deal with coupons and promo codes.

Another thing for which you might want protection is spoofed websites and phishing scams. They are become increasingly sophisticated. Even those who know how to identify legitimate sites from fake ones are having to be extra careful. Look for an antivirus program that will automatically redirect you to secure sites, and block spoofed sites from ever being loaded on your computer. Just to ensure that it doesn’t mistakenly block a site that you know is legit, read reviews to see if there are a lot of complaints about false positives. If so, consider using another antivirus program.

You’ll obviously want protection in real time from all types of threats, including spyware, viruses, ransomware, and other threats, as well as prevention tools.

If you really want a good antivirus for Windows 7, then start with Avast Antivirus Pro or Avast Premium Security. These products are very affordable and easy to use.

Norton Logo

Norton LifeLock Review: Get Tons of Essential Cyber Security Services and Identity Theft Protections in a Single Suite

LifeLock is a well-known identity theft protection service. It is now available with certain Norton Security Products. What this technology does is scan a trillion data points on a daily basis to detect any potential threats to your identity. If you are a victim of identity theft, the service helps protect you with features such as reimbursement for stolen funds and coverage for certain types of expenses. Norton LifeLock is a really good combination that you’ll want to consider if you want a robust security suite for devices, identity, and online privacy.

Dark Web Monitoring is a great service powered by LifeLock, and is available with Norton 360. The “dark web”, of course, is the part of the internet that is not searchable or accessible via regular search engines. It actually makes up the vast majority of cyberspace. The internet most people are used to and connect to on a daily basis is just the surface of everything that is out there. The Dark Web is where cybercriminals usually do their crimes. With this LifeLock service, all of your personal information (email, name, address, checking account details, phone number, etc.) will be monitored on the dark web markets.

Norton LifeLock Deluxe + Ultimate Plus comes with an additional service: 401(k) Investment Activity Alerts. With this service, you will be alerted to all withdrawals and balance transfers. You won’t have to worry about your 401(k) balance being compromised and your money getting stolen.

What Norton LifeLock Gives With Some Subscriptions

With some subscriptions, you can get court records scanning, so that you’ll know if a criminal ever gave the police your name instead of their own. It seems far-fetched, but it really does happen – especially if they’ve already stolen your identity, or at least some of your records. You never know when your name could be falsely linked to arrests and convictions. It could be in a completely different state.

Have you ever wondered what you would have to do if you were on vacation or traveling for business and your wallet or purse gets stolen or lost? With a Norton LifeLock account, you would be able to call for assistance, and all of your important documents such as social security cards, credit cards, ID, etc. will be either canceled or replaced. You won’t get stranded, and your money and accounts won’t get stolen.

These are just some of the many LifeLock services you’ll get. On top of these, you’ll get regular Norton protection against viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more. You can also get neat extras like a password manager, parental controls, and smart firewall.

Look over the Norton LifeLock products and subscription levels today to learn more about these great services and how you can save on them.

VPN

Buy Cheap VPN Guide: How to Choose a VPN Service That Meets All of Your Needs

There are many VPN service providers that offer solutions for home users and businesses. Whatever your reason(s) are for wanting to stay safe and private on the internet, you’re undoubtedly wondering where to buy cheap VPN. You’re not going to find any truly good, reliable services for free, so that aside right now. You will, however, find some good deals with decent providers.

The most important thing is to make sure that any virtual private network meets all of your requirements. There is no point in spending money on a service that does not do exactly what you want. If you want a VPN for business, then choose one that comes with extra security, unlimited bandwidth, “travel mode”, and the ability to use on an unlimited number of computers and devices. Ping time is important for business users as well. The lower the ping time (milliseconds), the better. This is because a low ping is vital for real-time applications like VoIP and Skype to work properly.

If you want to be able to access Netflix and other streaming sites and view all content without restrictions, then look for a VPN that offers specialized, fast streaming servers that will allow you to stream Netflix content in all regions of the world.

Look for Strong Protocols When You Buy Cheap VPN

Strong protocols and forward secrecy are very important for those who want to buy cheap VPN that will make them untraceable on the internet. There should be encryption cipher suites featuring “Perfect Forward Secrecy”. This means that all encrypted traffic cannot be captured and decrypted – even after your session. Should the encryption key from a prior session become compromised, none of the user’s activity can be captured or traced. With each and every session, a new encryption key is generated, and no key is used again for more than a single session.

If you are concerned about geographic restrictions, then look for a virtual private network service based in a country such as Switzerland. This is because Swiss internet is among the most private in the world, and remains outside the EU and US jurisdictions.

Finally, you should look for a VPN that has a guaranteed no-logs policy and DNS-leak prevention policy. Not only should your browsing traffic be protected, but your DNS queries should be as well. Your DNS queries should be routed through the encrypted tunnel with a guarantee that no browsing activity will be exposed by leaks.

What is your best option when you buy cheap VPN? One good service to start with is ProtonVPN. There are Free, Basic, Plus, and Visionary subscription services available. The Basic Plan is okay if you just need access to some fast servers for P2P. However, it’s best to go with at least the Plus subscription if you want advanced security and privacy features. Look into ProtonVPN discounts to help bring down the price of Plus and Visionary plans.

Backup

Best Cloud Backup Solution: Tips on Choosing the Best Security and Solution for Your Business Backup Needs

If you are involved in a business and want to back up all of your data to the cloud, then you need to choose a professional service. One of the best practices for physically backing up and storing business data is to keep at least two full copies of everything on separate physical devices. However, you need to make sure that the data is kept in sync across those different devices, and you will need to sign up for the best cloud backup solution in order to do that.

Also, another smart thing to do is to store a third copy of data at an offline location, preferably in a place where it will be as protected as possible from fire, theft, flooding, or any other potential dangers and hazards. A cloud service provider for businesses will offer that as part of its solution.

Which company or service should you choose? Here are some tips for selecting the best cloud backup solution.

Tips for Finding the Best Cloud Backup Solution

• Security options are very important. Not only should the cloud technology feature advanced encryption (at least AES), the physical hardware should be indestructible as well. Check out the physical facilities of a cloud solution provider. Ideally, there should be data centers in multiple locations and not just at once. Those centers should be built out of the best materials, and feature biometric security, an ID checking system, badge-level access, etc.

• The back-up and integration options should match your needs. For instance, if you need to back up a server, you’ll first want to determine which cloud would be the best choice. B2 is a good option that fits most needs. This kind of technology even allows for old LTO technology to be moved onto the cloud. Look at all of the networking and workstation solutions a cloud solution is compatible with so that everything can be integrated seamlessly.

• Access for other clients. The best cloud backup solution will provide you with the ideal amount of control and flexibility in regards to who all else will be allows to access the data and how they will be able to do so. Also, is it compatible across different devices and operating systems? Do you just want a desktop-based solution or web / mobile based?

• Obviously, you’ll want to look into cost. There are two primary costs when it comes to business cloud backup solutions: the amount per gigabyte of storage and download.

What is the best cloud backup solution? Backblaze is a good place to start with. It’s WAY MORE AFFORDABLE than the other big-name solutions, and comes with flexible solutions and top-notch security.

VPN

VPN Provider Reviews: Tips on What to Look for When Researching VPN Services and Security Features

One way to determine the best virtual private network solution for your needs is to read reviews, and look at user ratings. There are so many things to consider when it comes to any service relating to cyber security, and VPNs are no different. You can learn about various features, pros, cons, and other details by reading VPN provider reviews.

Not all reviews are obviously going to be legitimate, so make sure you read the ones from verified buyers. Otherwise, you never know if the one you are reading is from a real user. Anybody can try to say anything about any product or service these days. Reviews from verified buyers are what you need to mostly keep an eye out for.

Of course, it helps to have an idea of what you are looking for in a virtual private network service yourself. What one person might complain about might not be that big of a deal to you. If someone complains that a particular service doesn’t work with Netflix, and you don’t plan on using a VPN to watch Netflix anyway, then that is a complaint that you can overlook.

Consider the features that ARE important to you, and find out what people are saying about those particular feature when reading VPN provider reviews.

The Importance of Encryption in VPN Provider Reviews

Strong encryption is extremely important when it comes to protecting your internet connection. All of your network traffic when connected to a VPN should be encrypted with AES-256, with superior key exchange and message authentication technologies. Strong protocols that are known to be secure, like OpenVPN and IKEv2 / IPSec, should be used. You’ll want to pick a provider that will give you a peace of mind that your VPN tunnel is protected and secure.

Transparency is another important issue. If you and other users have trouble finding details regarding a particular service, such as who is running it, in which country it is based, its log policy, DNS-leak protection, location list of servers, etc., then it’s a good idea to avoid such a provider. Also, do a bit of research to find out which VPN companies have a positive reputation for fighting for online privacy on behalf of its users, and how they contribute to the open source community.

The ideal service will also have positive reviews about its speeds. Speed is an issue with a lot of VPN accounts, and not all of them are capable of providing users with optimal performance.

One particular service for which you’ll likely find a lot of positive VPN provider reviews is ProtonVPN. It utilizes the strongest encryption, yet still manages to provide good speeds. It also offers all of the top security protocols and encryption technologies mentioned above. Try it out for free, and then decide whether you want to upgrade to ProtonVPN Basic, Plus, or Visionary.

Parental Control

Phone Monitoring App for Parents: How to Keep Your Kids Safe without Snooping Too Much

Many parents don’t like the idea of a cell phone monitoring app since they don’t want to be too intrusive and want to give their children some privacy and respect. On the other hand, if you don’t keep track of what they are up to and who they are talking to, how do you know they are not involved in anything dangerous? There is a compromise: use an app that will help you track their physical location and give you a summary of some of the content they view without fully looking at the details.

You can also regulate your child’s activities in the first place so that there won’t be any need to “spy” on them. Some parental control software can be used to help you filter out content you don’t want them to view, and to block numbers you haven’t approved of. You might also be able to get a list of who they have been texting, or chatting with on social media, without actually having to view the content of those messages so that they can still have a bit of privacy.

Some phone monitoring apps come with screen-time management, which can be very helpful in teaching kids how to manage their time better, and note to get distracted by staring at a screen all day. Instead, they can be doing meaningful, productive things like studying for school, reading, paying outside with friends, eating dinner with the family, etc.

Phone Monitoring App for a Strict Bedtime

If you want your kids in bed at 10:00 every night, then schedule for their phone to turn off automatically. Some parental control software also works on other devices, like PCs and tablets, in addition to smartphones. However, it usually costs money to use a particular program on multiple devices. If you do want this kind of service, make sure all of the devices and PCs you want them for meet the minimum system requirements.

When looking over these apps and programs, find out how you will be notified about what your child has been up to. Even if you just want a summary of their activities and don’t want to know details as to give them some privacy, it’s still helpful to receive notifications and summaries. Also, if the phone monitoring app has a location tracker, and your child goes outside of what you designate as “safe zones”, then you’ll definitely want an alert for that. Will the notifications come in real time? Will you receive them in an email? SMS alert? Push notification?

Kaspersy Safe Kids is a very good phone monitoring app and service for parents. The free version alone comes with some great features. However, it’s best to subscribe to the premium version so that you can get the extra security tools, like location tracking.

Antivirus

Good Virus Protection Guide – Top 4 Products to Consider Buying

There are literally dozens of antivirus products out there, some of which are free and some will cost you money. While “free” always sounds good, it’s not necessarily the best option when it comes to good virus protection for computers and smart devices. Instead of trying to use a free program, why not just take advantage of free trial offers of the better products before deciding whether it would be worth it to go through with the subscription?

To help you get started, here are a few products offered by the leading companies and products to consider:

Norton Antivirus Plus

If there is one name in the computer security industry you’ve probably heard of it is Norton by Symantec. The plus version of the antivirus software includes innovative security technology that is powered by AI and machine learning. It is also backed by the world’s biggest civilian virtual threat intelligence network. You can get a “smart firewall”, real time detection for all threats (viruses, malware, ransomware, and more), and a money back guarantee.

Kaspersky Antivirus 2020

Another name synonymous with “good virus protection” is Kaspersky. Its new antivirus 2020 software already has tons of positive reviews. It blocks everything from ransomware to crypto-lockers. In independent testing reviews, Kaspersky software usually gets very high ratings for its performance and detection rate. There is introductory discount pricing for new customers.

Bitdefender 2020

One of the things for which Bitdefender is primarily known is its free antivirus, which is vastly superior to most other free antivirus software out there. However, you’ll still want to upgrade to the Pro version in order to get more benefits. The Bitdefender platform consists of all anti-virus products and services that ensure privacy and security for customers of all needs, sizes, and devices. You can expect automatic updates so that you’ll never miss out on new and improved technologies and features, even if you’re already well into your subscription period.

Avast Premium Security

Not only can you expect good virus protection from Avast (paid), you get complete online protection from all threats for your computers, tablets, and smartphones. It’s available to try for free on a PC, and you can purchase a subscription for one Windows PC, one Mac, or multiple devices.

Take your time to research these companies a bit more and read some reviews and test results from independent labs. No matter which one you pick, you can count on getting good virus protection.

Antivirus

Computer Antivirus Software Overview: What Are the Most Important Services & Features an Antivirus Can Provide?

The only way to get a secure computer system this day and age is to use the best computer antivirus software possible. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good protection. The leading cyber security software companies often offer discounts on their products. If you want to protect more than one computer in your home then you’ll be expected to pay more, but multi-device subscriptions are still fairly affordable.

The best software is designed for automatic updates. It should be able to keep up with all of the current, new, and emerging threats. You shouldn’t have to worry about any viruses that pop up in the future. If you have the best antivirus program, it will be able to stay on top of those threats and always keep you protected. Another important factor is the malware detection rate, which should be as close to 100% as possible so there is no real chance that any malicious file could sneak into your system.

You don’t want false positives, either, as those can be very annoying. Check and see if there are a lot of complaints of any particular software you are interested in. If many people are claiming that it is annoying and blocks legitimate programs, then you might want to avoid that program – especially if you enjoy downloading and trying out new software.

Computer Antivirus Software Protection

Here are a few things the best computer antivirus software offers:

• Real-time antivirus and malware protection
• Crypto-mining malware infection prevention
• Allowing the PC to perform as it is designed to, without slowing any processes down
• Ransomware, phishing attempts, and crypto-locker blocking
• Simplicity (the software should be easy to install and the interface should be easy to use)

Since so many people do shopping and banking online these days, it is essential that an antivirus program is capable of script detection. By detecting and blocking crypto-mining software, your chances of being a victim are significantly reduced. This kind of technology also keeps the PC running as it should since there is no malware slowing it down.

Of course, the antivirus program itself shouldn’t be slowing down your PC as it runs behinds the scenes. This is another thing to look for in reviews. Are there many people complaining that a particular security product puts too much of a load on the PC?

While there are some really good and really bad computer antivirus software programs, one name to always start with is Kaspersky. Take a look at Kaspersky Antivirus and the great features you get with a subscription. It’s also very affordable and has a near-perfect detection rate.

Bitdefender Logo

Bitdefender Antivirus Price Guide: A Look at the Discount Price and Full Price of Bitdefender Security Products

The cost of this antivirus depends on a number of factors, including the type of subscription you select, the number of devices you want to use it on, and any additional features you want to add. The good news about Bitdefender Antivirus price (for the 2020 edition) is that it’s always affordable compared to many other antivirus programs out there. There is also a free version available, although most people still want the full benefits of a paid subscription. You can even download a 30-day free trial of the full antivirus if you want to try it out before purchasing a subscription.

The average price you would be expected to pay for Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020 is around $39.99 – $59.99, depending on the number of devices (usually 3) for the first year. With Bitdefender discounts or coupons, you would be looking to pay at the lower end of that range. With this subscription, you will get Windows protection, automatic upgrades and updates, and free online support – all year long. For a two-year subscription, the discount price (3 devices) is $62.99, and for a 3-year subscription, the discount price for 3 devices is $83.99. The full price would be around $120.

Bitdefender Internet Security 2020 comes with a lot more security for home users than the antivirus. For 3 devices, the cost for this for the first year would be around $44.99 – $79.99, depending on whether any discounts are available. Once again, wait until it is on sale at the $44.99 price before making the purchase.

Bitdefender Antivirus Price for Total Security Packages

Total Security 2020, which is the most complete, all-inclusive security suite available, can also be as low as $44.99 for the first year if you are lucky enough to get a hold of a Bitdefender discount, or as high as $89.99 for the first year (up to 5 devices). It comes with protection for Mac computers, Android devices, and iOS devices as well.

As mentioned above, there are additional services you can select with your purchase, such as a VPN service, which will increase the overall price. The VPN service price is for an entire year.

For the typical home user, the Bitdefender Antivirus price is the most important thing to consider since they really don’t need all of the extra protection on other devices, but still want more than just the basics that come with the free version of antivirus.

Whichever version you choose, you can expect a user-friendly interface. This software is very easy to use. You can always expect good customer support, regardless of which Bitdefender Antivirus price you wind up paying.