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Free security tools
Honest guides to the free and low-cost tools that actually make a difference, from breach checkers and built-in antivirus to password managers, authenticator apps and link scanners.
Most people already own the security tools they need: they are built into Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and every major browser. The guides below explain what each tool does, how to turn it on, where a paid product adds real value, and where it is just marketing. Nothing here requires technical skill, and almost everything is free.
ToolboxAuthenticator apps and security keysWhich authenticator app to pick, how security keys like YubiKey and Google Titan work, and how to back everything up so a lost phone never locks you out.ToolboxBrowser hardening in 20 minutesThe settings worth changing in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari and Brave, which content blocker to use now that extension rules have changed, and how to keep extensions and profiles tidy.ToolboxBuilt-in antivirus is enough for most peopleWhat Microsoft Defender, Apple XProtect and Google Play Protect do, how to check they are on, and the specific situations where a paid security suite is worth the money.ToolboxHave I Been Pwned and breach checkersHow to find out whether your email address or passwords have appeared in a data breach, what the results mean, and exactly what to do next.ToolboxHow to check a suspicious link or fileFree ways to look at a link or attachment before you trust it, including VirusTotal, URL expanders and Google's Safe Browsing status page, plus the privacy mistakes to avoid.ToolboxPassword managers comparedA plain comparison of Apple Passwords, Google Password Manager, Bitwarden, 1Password, KeePassXC and Proton Pass, covering cost, platforms, passkeys and open source, plus how to pick one.