The job of the cybersecurity industry as a whole is to respond to evolving threats and generate tools to help users combat those same threats. As the digital security landscape changes, so too do the programs attempting to keep up.
Today’s internet is an entirely different beast than the internet in, for example, 1999 or even 2010. So it stands to reason that the basic antivirus software in use then isn’t enough to combat modern malicious scripts.
That’s not to say users should ditch their antivirus programs, on the contrary, antiviruses are still useful tools. But they alone can’t offer the level of protection needed in the dynamic netscape of 2020.
With that in mind, here are three cybersecurity tools you need in 2020.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A powerful security and privacy tool, VPNs do what they say on the tin: create a private network that ensures no prying eyes or digital peeping toms. But the software does much more than that, a VPN is one of the best ways to boost your digital security.
There is a caveat here, you should avoid free VPN services. Although the price point is attractive, you will probably end up paying with your user data, which could be sold to third-party vendors. Stick to a high-quality paid service instead.
Firewall
Protecting the sensitive information stored on your PC and mobile device is just as critical as securing your online activity. A secure network and strong password can’t do much if a hacker or cybercriminal gets access to your hard drive. Did you know that around 350 thousand new malicious codes are made and released into the digital wilds each day? That’s a very real risk that needs to be taken seriously.
A strong firewall helps mitigate the risk and protect your devices from any nasty connections attempting to gain access.
Email scanner
Social engineering attacks are on the rise, and scammers are getting better each year at disguising their malware in emails that seem legitimate. All too often victims fall prey to threats delivered by email that then make their way into a user’s systems. The costs can be high, including a loss of financial and personally identifying data.
Email scanners protect you by trawling through all incoming emails looking for potentially malicious malware links and anything suspicious.
2020’s threat landscape is constantly evolving, but taking a few easy and affordable steps towards proper cybersecurity can make all the difference to your digital defenses.
