There's nothing quite like the excitement of getting a brand-new device, whether you receive it as a holiday gift or you're the one doing the purchasing. Now, the best way you can set up your new device – a smartphone, laptop, desktop PC, or gaming console – is by ensuring it stays protected from cyberattacks and online surveillance, as well as other online threats.
To do so, you'll need to install essential security software on it, starting with one of the best VPNs, then antivirus, and finally a password manager. Each one of these serves its own unique purpose, and the three of them combined will prevent bad actors from trying to track your online activities, infect your device with malware, or rob you of your personal details to gain illegitimate access to your online/bank accounts.
In this article, I'll talk about the importance of these tools in detail and also point you towards the best options to consider.
VPNs
A VPN is among the first pieces of software you should consider downloading on your new device, whether it's a mobile phone, a laptop, or even a smart TV. That's because it encrypts your data and routes it through one of its own servers (and not your ISP's), essentially making it unintelligible, so cybercriminals can't exploit it.
Additionally, a VPN also masks your IP address – and gives you a temporary one – to anonymize you on the internet, meaning snoopers, including ISPs, hackers, and government agencies, won't be able to track your online location and see what you're up to online. These features of a VPN will come in particularly handy when you're out and about using public Wi-Fi connections, which can be unsafe.
What's more, VPNs are also adept at unblocking geo-restricted content on streaming sites, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, meaning you'll be able to tap into international libraries from your home country and vice versa.
Getting a VPN is advisable for gamers, too, as they can stop DDoS attacks and bandwidth throttling, and get around IP bans and SBMM to access easy bot lobbies to crank up their in-game rankings and points.
Antivirus
A VPN will secure (and enhance) your online experience, but what about protecting your device from malware threats (which continue to increase in both number and potency), viruses, ransomware, and other cyber threats? That's why you need a good antivirus installed on your device.
Even if your new device is a shiny iPhone 16 Pro or the latest iPad, do consider securing it with an antivirus. While Apple devices are, generally speaking, more secure than their rivals, they're not off-limits for cybercriminals, who are constantly on the prowl trying to gain access to your personal information, no matter your device type.
The best antivirus software today will safeguard you against identity theft – by monitoring the dark web and immediately informing you if your personal information is found there. Additionally, you'll also be protected against phishing scams, as they'll automatically block malicious messages and pop-ups designed to trick you into handing over your sensitive data.
Password managers
Managing passwords is unarguably an uphill task in today's digital age, where almost everyone has a myriad of online accounts. However, with a good password manager, you can not only store all your passwords in one place (meaning you won't have to remember every single one of them) but also store them securely.
Password manager apps provide encrypted storage for your passwords. These storage spaces are secured with 2FA/MFA measures, shielding your sensitive info from notorious hackers and cybercriminals. Plus, you can access your stored data from all your devices (desktop and mobile included), thanks to cross-device syncing and easy-to-use apps and browser extensions, which is one of the biggest benefits of opting for a dedicated password manager over a built-in one.
That's not all, though, as the best password managers can also generate random and strong passwords for you (which eliminates password fatigue), autofill online forms, and allow you to securely share sensitive login credentials with others, not to mention that a vast majority of these apps also provide you with extra security tools, including dark web monitoring, a VPN, an antivirus, etc., offering all-around protection.
