Top Cybersecurity Tools to Use Alongside Your VPN

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VPN is a powerful tool to protect your privacy and secure your data online. However, it’s just one part of a strong cybersecurity strategy.
To stay safe in today’s complex threat landscape, you need a layered defense — a combination of tools that work together to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
This article highlights essential cybersecurity tools that complement your VPN, helping you build a robust and comprehensive security setup.

Why You Need More Than Just a VPN

While VPNs encrypt your traffic and mask your IP address, they don’t block viruses, stop phishing emails, or detect intrusions on your device.
Cybercriminals use various tactics that go beyond the VPN’s protection scope. That’s why additional security tools are critical.

1. Antivirus & Anti-Malware Software

Purpose: Detects, blocks, and removes malicious software (viruses, trojans, spyware, ransomware).

Why It’s Essential:
Protects your device from infected downloads and suspicious applications.
Some malware can bypass a VPN if already present on your device.

Recommended Tools:
Bitdefender – Known for strong real-time protection and low system impact.
Malwarebytes – Excellent at removing existing malware and ransomware.
Norton 360 – Combines antivirus, VPN, firewall, and identity protection.

2. Firewall

Purpose: Monitors and controls incoming/outgoing network traffic based on security rules.

Why It’s Essential:
    • Blocks unauthorized access to or from your private network.
    • Stops suspicious apps from sending data without your knowledge.

Recommended Tools:

    • Windows Defender Firewall (built-in and powerful for most users)
    • GlassWire – Adds visual network monitoring and alerts for suspicious activity.
    • Comodo Firewall – Advanced rules and intrusion prevention.

3. Password Manager

Purpose: Stores and generates strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.

Why It’s Essential:
  • Prevents reuse of passwords (a major vulnerability in hacking and credential stuffing attacks).
  • Encrypts and secures login credentials.

Recommended Tools:

  • Bitwarden – Open-source and secure with free and premium options.
  • 1Password – Trusted by professionals, with robust family sharing and vaults.
  • NordPass – Created by the team behind NordVPN, with secure encryption.

4. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Tools

Purpose: Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification method (e.g., app code, fingerprint).

Why It’s Essential:
  • Even if a password is stolen, MFA stops unauthorized access.
  • Protects sensitive accounts like email, banking, and work apps.

Recommended Tools:

  • Authy – Easy to use and supports encrypted cloud backups.
  • Google Authenticator – Simple and widely supported.
  • Microsoft Authenticator – Great integration with Microsoft services.

5. Secure Browser & Browser Extensions

Purpose: Protects you from trackers, malicious scripts, ads, and phishing while browsing.

Why It’s Essential:
  • Your browser is a major target for attacks and tracking.
  • Extensions can block threats before they reach your system.

Recommended Tools:

  • Browsers:
    • Brave – Built-in tracker and ad blocking.
    • Mozilla Firefox – Privacy-focused with customizable security.
  • Extensions:
    • uBlock Origin – Blocks ads and known malicious domains.
    • HTTPS Everywhere – Forces websites to use secure HTTPS connections.
    • Privacy Badger – Automatically blocks invisible trackers.

6. Email Security Tools

Purpose: Filters spam, detects phishing emails, and prevents malicious attachments from reaching you.

Why It’s Essential:
  • Email is a primary method for phishing attacks and malware delivery.
  • Many phishing links can bypass basic spam filters.

Recommended Tools:

  • ProtonMail – End-to-end encrypted email service.
  • SpamTitan – For advanced phishing detection (especially for business users).
  • Canary Mail – Offers AI-powered phishing detection and encryption.

7. Dark Web Monitoring

Purpose: Alerts you if your personal data (emails, passwords, ID numbers) appears in data breaches on the dark web.

Why It’s Essential:
  • Gives you time to act (e.g., change passwords) before your data is misused.

Recommended Tools:

  • Have I Been Pwned (free email breach checker)
  • Norton LifeLock – Real-time monitoring and identity theft alerts.
  • Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection – Tracks dark web leaks linked to your identity.

Bonus: Encrypted Cloud Storage

Purpose: Keeps your backups and sensitive files safe from hackers and data breaches.

Recommended Tools:

  • Sync.com – Zero-knowledge encryption, great for privacy.
  • Tresorit – Secure cloud storage for business and individual users.
  • Proton Drive – From the makers of ProtonMail, with end-to-end encryption.

Final Thoughts

Using a VPN is a great start to protecting your digital life, but no single tool can cover every threat. By combining a VPN with strong antivirus software, a firewall, a password manager, and MFA, you create a layered defense that drastically reduces your risk of cyberattacks.

Remember: Cybersecurity is not one tool, but a strategy.

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