TOOLS & CHECKLISTS
🧰 Security Tools & Checklists: Essential Protection for 2025
This page provides a curated list of trusted tools and practical checklists you can use to protect your devices, accounts, privacy, and identity.
Every recommendation is based on expert cybersecurity practices, not paid promotions or advertising.
For core concepts and defensive strategies, start here:
👉 Cyber & Digital Security
🔐 Password Security Tools
✔ Password Managers
Recommended for generating and storing strong, unique passwords.
- 1Password
- Bitwarden
- KeePassXC (offline option)
- Dashlane
Password best practices:
👉 Strong Passwords
✔ Password Leak Checkers
Use these tools to check if your email or passwords have been exposed:
- Have I Been Pwned
- Firefox Monitor
- Google Password Checkup
Do NOT upload actual passwords — only check email addresses.
🔑 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Tools
✔ Authenticator Apps
These apps generate secure time-based codes:
- Authy
- Google Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator
- 1Password (built-in)
Learn how MFA protects your accounts:
👉 Multi-Factor Authentication
✔ Hardware Security Keys (Highest Security)
Physical devices that provide the strongest account protection:
- YubiKey
- Nitrokey
- OnlyKey
Best for protecting email, cloud accounts, and financial services.
🛡️ Device & Malware Protection Tools
✔ Antivirus / Anti-Malware (Trusted Vendors)
Use reputable, well-established products:
- Windows Defender (built-in)
- Malwarebytes
- Bitdefender
- ESET
Understanding malware attacks:
👉 Malware & System Defense
✔ Rootkit & Advanced Scanning Tools
For deeper threat detection:
- Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit
- ESET Online Scanner
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
🌐 Safe Browsing & Web Protection Tools
✔ Browser Extensions (Security-Focused)
Use these to block malicious sites and trackers:
- uBlock Origin (ad & script blocking)
- Privacy Badger
- HTTPS Everywhere (now built into most browsers)
- Bitwarden (for safe password autofill)
See browser hardening tips:
👉 Browser Security
✔ URL & Link Scanners
To verify suspicious links:
- VirusTotal
- URLVoid
- IPVoid
- Google Safe Browsing
🛰️ Network & Wi-Fi Protection Tools
✔ Secure DNS Providers
Protect against malicious domains:
- Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1)
- Quad9 (9.9.9.9)
- Google DNS (8.8.8.8)
✔ Network Monitoring Tools
For checking unknown devices:
- Fing App
- Angry IP Scanner
- Router admin panel (built-in)
Full Wi-Fi hardening tips:
👉 Network & IoT Hardening
🔐 Privacy & Identity Protection Tools
✔ Data Breach Monitoring
Track if your personal data appears in leaks:
- Have I Been Pwned
- Mozilla Monitor
✔ Privacy Tools
Reduce digital tracking:
- DuckDuckGo browser
- Brave browser
- Tor Browser (advanced users)
✔ Encrypted Messaging
Safer communication options:
- Signal
- WhatsApp (end-to-end encrypted)
- Telegram (secret chats only)
Learn how attackers misuse your personal data:
👉 Privacy & Identity Protection
🗂️ Cloud Safety & Backup Tools
✔ Zero-Knowledge Encryption (Encrypt Before Uploading)
Protect sensitive files before storing them online:
- Cryptomator
- VeraCrypt
- NordLocker
- Tresorit
Full guide:
👉 Cloud Security
✔ Backup Solutions
Use both cloud and offline backups:
- External encrypted drives
- iCloud / Google Drive
- OneDrive
- Dropbox
Backup is essential protection against ransomware.
🛡️ Account Protection Checklists
Below are simple checklists you can use to secure your most important accounts.
✔ Email Security Checklist
Email is the master key to your digital life.
- Use strong, unique password
- Enable MFA
- Review recovery email & phone
- Check logged-in devices
- Remove unknown sessions
- Avoid forwarding sensitive emails
- Use secure DNS
- Beware of password reset scams
Email security is critical:
👉 Prevent Account Takeovers
✔ Smartphone Security Checklist
- Update iOS/Android
- Lock screen protection
- Review app permissions
- Avoid unknown apps
- Disable risky features (Bluetooth/NFC when unused)
- Use secure backups
- Avoid clicking unknown links
- Enable device encryption
Full guide:
👉 Smartphone Security
✔ Home Wi-Fi Security Checklist
- Change default router password
- Use WPA3 or WPA2-AES
- Disable WPS
- Update router firmware
- Create separate IoT network
- Disable unused services
- Use secure DNS
- Monitor unknown devices
More details:
👉 Network & IoT Hardening
💳 Financial Safety Checklist
- Use MFA for all banking apps
- Avoid public Wi-Fi
- Enable transaction alerts
- Never share verification codes
- Beware of fake investment opportunities
- Verify payment requests
- Review monthly statements
- Secure your email
- Use a PIN/safeguards with your carrier
Learn more:
👉 Safe Mobile Banking
🧯 What To Do During a Security Incident (Quick Response Checklist)
🔥 If you suspect a hack:
- Disconnect from the internet
- Change passwords
- Enable MFA
- Check account activity
- Scan your device
- Remove unknown apps
- Log out all devices
- Review recovery settings
- Notify bank if financial data involved
📚 Summary
This page provides trusted, expert-recommended tools and practical checklists to help you strengthen your digital safety.
Use these resources to secure your accounts, devices, privacy, and online identity — and revisit this page regularly as threats evolve.
Continue building your protection:
