Security products
Explainers on the criteria people commonly weigh when choosing security products. Comparisons based on published specifications are labelled as such, and we do not claim hands-on testing unless it was done.
Start here
- Antivirus software: do you need it and what to compareDo I need antivirus? What built-in protection on Windows, Mac, Android and ChromeOS does, what the ACSC says, and how security suites compare on features.
- Password managers: what they are and how they differWhat is a password manager? How they work, what the ACSC says about risks, and how five built-in and standalone options compare on published specs.
- Backup services and drives: what to compareCloud backup vs external hard drive: how built-in backups, cloud backup services and portable drives differ, with makers' published specs side by side.
Devices
- Antivirus software: do you need it and what to compareDo I need antivirus? What built-in protection on Windows, Mac, Android and ChromeOS does, what the ACSC says, and how security suites compare on features.
- Encrypted USB drives and storage explainedEncrypted USB drives explained: hardware vs software encryption, BitLocker To Go, Mac encryption, FIPS 140 validation and keypad drives, with maker specs.
Backup
Accounts and sign-in
- Hardware security keys: what they are and how they differWhat is a hardware security key? How FIDO2 keys work, what ASD says about backup keys, and how four keys compare on makers' published specifications.
- Password managers: what they are and how they differWhat is a password manager? How they work, what the ACSC says about risks, and how five built-in and standalone options compare on published specs.
Home network
Identity
Microsoft 365
Privacy
- Secure email services: what end-to-end encryption meansEnd-to-end encrypted email explained: how it differs from TLS in transit, what it doesn't protect, and how Proton Mail, Tuta, Gmail and Outlook compare.
- Webcam covers and privacy screens: what they doWebcam covers and privacy screens explained: camera indicator lights, built-in shutters, Apple's MacBook cover caution and how privacy filters work.
Privacy and networks
Security products: questions people ask
Do I need to buy antivirus?
Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone and ChromeOS all include built-in protection, and official guidance doesn't say paid antivirus is required. Our guide explains what paid suites add. Antivirus: do you need it?
Should I use a password manager?
Our guide explains what password managers do, what is already built into phones and browsers, and how products compare on published features. Password managers compared
Do I need a VPN?
Our guide explains what a VPN does and doesn't do, when built-in protections already cover you, and how VPN services compare on published features. VPNs explained