The Five Best Cybersecurity Tools to Protect Yourself in 2022

Laptop on a table with a wrench and a cybersecurity shield icon with a trophy next to it
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The Five Best Cybersecurity Tools for 2022: Summary

The number of online threats continues to rise, but thankfully, we’ve got a vast range of cybersecurity tools at our disposal to fight them. This includes VPNs (virtual private networks), antivirus software that can keep dangerous malware at bay, and password managers to keep passwords secure.

Our pick of the best cybersecurity tools for 2022 could seriously boost your online security. So, if you want to stay safe online, you should seriously consider using:

  1. Surfshark: The best VPN for 2022
  2. Kaspersky: The best antivirus for 2022
  3. 1Password: The best password manager for 2022
  4. MEGA: The best secure cloud storage for 2022
  5. DeleteMe: The best privacy information removal service for 2022

Below, you’ll find our rundown for each of the best cybersecurity tools!

No matter how careful you are online, sometimes, hackers and other malicious actors can gain access to your personal data if you slip up even once. That could cause severe emotional and financial damage, so it’s very important for you to take steps to protect yourself online.

To help you stay safe online, we have compiled the best cybersecurity tools for 2022. Using these tools can massively reduce the chances of you falling prey to hackers, malware, and other kinds of online threats.

So, if you’re looking to beef up your cybersecurity in 2022, then you should check out our recommendations below. We’ve hand-picked the best VPN, best antivirus, and a range of other cybersecurity software that’ll keep you safe online and protect your personal information.


1. A VPN — For Maximum Online Security

VPN shield icon on a dark laptopA VPN, or virtual private network, creates a secure tunnel between your device(s) and the internet. With a VPN, all of your data is heavily encrypted, which means it’s significantly harder for malicious third parties to breach your personal security.

A VPN also changes your IP address, which makes it much harder for others to track what you do online.

For example, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can view your online browsing habits and eventually link to your real identity, as they have a record of your name and physical address, and your IP address.

However, when you connect to a VPN, you change your IP address to the VPN server’s IP address. So, connect to a VPN server in America, and you’ll get an American IP address.

Aside from cloaking your identity online, using a VPN also offers other benefits. You’ll get greater online freedom, as you’ll be able to get around regional website restrictions. As a result, you can, for example, watch American Netflix with a US IP.

The same is true of other countries. Want to watch a geoblocked streaming service or TV channel online? Simply connect to a VPN server in that channel or streaming service’s host country!

With the best VPN for 2022, you can be up and running in just a few simple steps. Our favorite VPN right now is Surfshark, and you can read more about this powerful cybersecurity tool below.

Surfshark: The best VPN for 2022

Surfshark VPN provider website homepage with added logo to the corner

  • New users get a 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Some of the fastest VPN connections around
  • Offers a fantastic number of VPN server locations
  • Available on desktop and mobile (including both iOS and Android)

Surfshark is one of the best-known and biggest VPN providers in the market. It’s also stuffed with features that’ll enhance your online security, and what’s more, it has vast worldwide coverage.

Choose from more than 3,200 VPN servers in 65 locations across the world. Surfshark is also consistently one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested.

Get Surfshark

How to download a VPN

  1. First, choose a VPN provider like Surfshark. If you want to explore your options, check out the best VPN providers of 2022!
  2. Create a VPN account with your chosen provider. You can also do this through the software client once you’ve downloaded it.
  3. Download Surfshark or another VPN, such as NordVPN. If you primarily browse on your smartphone, don’t worry; the best VPNs offer mobile apps for iOS and Android.
  4. Choose a VPN server in your preferred country. If you want to watch online TV from another country, then you’ll need to choose a VPN server in that country. Otherwise, Surfshark can automatically find the fastest VPN server for you.
  5. Click or tap on the connect button to change your IP address and enjoy greater online anonymity, security, and freedom.

2. An Antivirus — For Protection Against Online Malware

Laptop with a bug shielded icon and blob backgroundGoing online without an antivirus in 2022 is just asking for trouble. Every day, new malware is released, more dangerous and more pervasive, and there are now countless malware threats that you need to be wary of.

The worst part is that malicious actors are getting more and more creative, which greatly increases the risk of infections.

That’s why you need to choose the absolute best antivirus software. It’ll help you detect and purge malware from your computer. You also get real-time protection with reputable antivirus programs.

What’s more, choose the best antivirus, and you can benefit from features like a built-in firewall that reduces the chance of malware getting onto your computer in the first place.

For 2022, we’ve chosen Kaspersky Anti-Virus as the best tool to detect and remove malware.

Kaspersky: The best antivirus for 2022

Screenshot of Kaspersky website home page with logo in the right bottom corner

  • High-quality, effective protection against malware
  • Rapid scanning that isn’t too intensive on your computer
  • Simple, user-friendly software, even for newcomers
  • Both paid and free antivirus solutions

Kaspersky is one of the most well-known antivirus solutions in the cybersecurity world. Depending on your choice of subscription tier, you’ll get access to a cybersecurity toolbox full of features that include real-time malware protection, routine scanning, a built-in firewall, and phishing protection.

Get Kaspersky

Now, you should be able to scan your system for any malware and remove it. Of course, we appreciate that some users are always on the lookout for free software. The good news is that Kaspersky is also our best free antivirus right now.

Check out our pick of the five best free antivirus programs to use in 2022 for more information!


3. A Password Manager — For Keeping Your Passwords Safe

Password notebook with a padlock on the front cover, representing password managerHave you ever forgotten a password and been locked out of one or more of your accounts? It’s not surprising, as one NordPass study found that the average person is now using around 100 passwords across different websites and software platforms!

Fortunately, you can use a password manager to remember all of your passwords so that you don’t have to.

Since password manager software remembers all of your passwords, you won’t be tempted to use the same password time and time again for convenience. This is something that can pose a huge security risk if your password is hacked.

What’s more, the best password managers can even create a strong, unique password for you every time you set up a new account!

Like with any software, some password managers are better than others, especially if you’re looking for specific features. We’ve already done our research on the subject, which is why we can confidently recommend the best password manager for you: 1Password.

1Password: The best password manager for 2022

Screenshot of 1Password website home page with logo in the right bottom corner

  • Suitable for individuals, families, and businesses
  • Automatically recommends changing weak passwords
  • Each user gets their own password vault
  • Can also store secure notes and payment card details

1Password is surprisingly versatile, in that it’s ideal for your own personal use, your whole family, or even small to large organizations. It’ll keep your passwords secure, and what’s more, it can even store secure notes and payment card details!

All of this valuable data is stored in a secure digital vault, and you can manage multiple vaults, which means each user in your family or team has their own secure space.

Get 1Password

We chose 1Password as our best password manager due to these reasons, but also thanks to its extensive security options. There’s a feature (“Watchtower”) that monitors whether your passwords may have been included in a security breach. There’s also another feature that’ll recommend changing a password if it’s deemed too weak.

This is all underpinned by 1Password’s zero-knowledge data policy, with the company having no access to anything stored in your vaults. If you’d like more information on the best password managers, check out our detailed write-up.


4. Secure Cloud Storage — For Protecting Your Files

Cloud storage icon with a padlockWith one of the best cloud storage services, you can securely tuck your files away in the cloud. For the uninitiated, this means simply storing them virtually on servers that can be accessed remotely over the internet, from anywhere in the world.

Meanwhile, you’ll be able to access your files from anywhere that you have an internet connection. The best cloud storage solutions don’t stop there, with strong security features and file recovery that can restore your files if they’re affected by malware.

By choosing a provider that uses zero-knowledge encryption, you can also ensure that you’re the only person who knows what’s secured in your cloud storage account. All of these features are included with our best secure cloud storage for 2022: MEGA.

MEGA: The best secure cloud storage for 2022

Screenshot of Mega cloud service website home page with logo in the right bottom corner

  • 20GB of free cloud storage
  • Zero-knowledge encryption keeps your data safe
  • The free version of MEGA includes all security features
  • File versioning and recovery features offer more protection against malware

One of the reasons that we named this provider our best secure cloud storage solution is because you can get 20GB of free secure cloud storage. It’s also because free users get full access to all of the security features offered by MEGA. That’s right, the best online security for your data storage isn’t locked behind a paywall with this provider.

Get MEGA

Your data is encrypted with a key that’s based on your password. Since MEGA doesn’t generate its own encryption key, the software has no access to it. It’ll also let you specify a recovery key so that you can still get back into your account if you’ve forgotten your password.

What’s more, if your device is hit by ransomware, you can revert all of your files and data to a previous backup, thanks to version history.


5. Privacy Information Removal Service — For Removing Information About Yourself

Digital information going through shredderEver wondered how to remove personal information from the internet? Many people think that once your information is out there, it’s impossible to take back. However, this isn’t strictly true; at least, not for everything. While you can’t completely disappear, the best privacy information removal service can scrub away many of your online footprints.

By using a privacy information removal service, you can minimize your digital footprint. With less information to be found, there’s less chance of your personal data being sold in marketing lists, which should mean fewer spam calls and emails. It could even help reduce the chance of your data being involved in privacy breaches.

DeleteMe: The best privacy information removal service for 2022

Screenshot of DeleteMe website home page with logo in the right bottom corner

  • Removes your data from many online marketing lists
  • Ongoing support and reviews every 3 months
  • Advise you on how to remove your own personal data

While we’ve saved DeleteMe for the last, it’s a powerful cybersecurity software that can increase your online anonymity. With this service, it’s possible to remove your personal information from the internet, even after it has been sold between third-party marketing companies or other organizations.

You can technically do this yourself, but it can involve a lot of time and paperwork. That said, DeleteMe will also provide you with DIY guides to removing personal data from the internet yourself.

Get DeleteMe

Once you submit your personal information to DeleteMe, a team of dedicated experts scours the internet. They’ll find any and all information on you that they can, providing a detailed report within 7 days. They’ll also remove your personal information from marketing lists, and will continue to do so every 3 months.


Wrapping Up

So, there you have it. If you are serious about protecting yourself online, these are the five best cybersecurity tools that you should use in 2022.

Using these five cybersecurity tools will help you improve your online security in 2022. To recap, here’s the list again:

  1. Surfshark: The best VPN for 2022
  2. Kaspersky: The best antivirus for 2022
  3. 1Password: The best password manager for 2022
  4. MEGA: The best secure cloud storage for 2022
  5. DeleteMe: The best privacy information removal service for 2022

Most people don’t take their cybersecurity seriously until they end up being the victim of a targeted attack. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. As hackers and malicious actors get smarter, you also need to take proactive action to protect your identity online. With these tools, you can do just that!

Best Cybersecurity Tools for 2022: Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve got questions about our five best cybersecurity tools for 2022, check out some of most frequently asked questions below.

In our opinion, the best VPN is Surfshark, owing to its range of security features, a vast range of VPN servers worldwide, and connection speeds. During our speed tests, we found Surfshark to be one of the fastest VPNs that we tested. What’s more, new users get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try Surfshark for free.

If you’re looking for the best antivirus, we can heartily recommend Kaspersky’s range of antivirus software. In addition to powerful antivirus scanning software that won’t slow down your computer, Kaspersky has a range of other security features. What’s more, you can download Kaspersky for free – the free version is lighter on features, but it’s still one of the best cybersecurity tools to use.

Definitely not written down on a Post-It! For the most secure way to keep passwords, we recommend using one of the best password managers. 1Password is our top pick among the password managers available right now. While it’s relatively pricey compared to the other best password managers, it has a fantastic range of features that’ll keep your passwords secure.

If you want to remove personal information from the internet, the good news is that it is possible to reduce your digital footprint. You can scrub your information from numerous online marketing lists that could reduce annoying spam calls and emails, and make it harder for companies to track you. You can use DeleteMe, one of the best cybersecurity tools of 2022.

Cybersecurity journalist
Chris is a tech journalist with many years' experience covering the latest news in online privacy and cybersecurity. He's also a published author and works as a Product Manager for some of the most innovative software development companies.