My 2025 Annual Security recommendations. These are recommendations I think you should follow to help keep your data and privacy safe online.
Browser:
Firefox – Still my go-to browser. It’s open source and continues to be the backbone of Tor for a reason. I prefer Firefox to any other browser for daily use. Chrome is still a close second, but I don’t like that it’s not open source.
Download it here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/
Most Secure Browser:
Tor – Tor is still the best when you don’t want anyone seeing what you’re doing online. It blocks your ISP, the government, and anyone else from tracking your browsing activity. It’s slow and can break some websites, but it’s worth it when privacy really matters.
https://www.torproject.org
Mobile Browser:
Firefox Focus – Still my preferred mobile browser. It’s fast, simple, and wipes your data easily. If you want even more privacy, there are mobile Tor browsers too. Regular Firefox is a close second.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/focus
Most Secure Mobile Browser:
Onion Browser – Uses the Tor network. Just like desktop Tor, it’s slower and not everything works on it, but it’s very secure.
https://onionbrowser.com/
Security add-on for your browser/adblock:
uBlock Origin – Works for Firefox and Chrome. Blocks ads and trackers, and helps sites load faster. This is still the first add-on I install on every new browser.
https://www.ublock.org/
HTTPS Everywhere – This used to be a must, but it’s now built into Firefox and Chrome by default. You don’t really need the add-on anymore, but if you want it, you can still grab it.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/https-everywhere/
Search Engine:
DuckDuckGo – Doesn’t track what you search. Still a great privacy-respecting search engine.
https://duckduckgo.com/
Email:
ProtonMail – Secure, anonymous email with end-to-end encryption. Doesn’t track you. Still my recommendation for private email.
https://protonmail.com/
VPN, Antivirus, Malware, Firewall:
VPN:
CyberGhost or Norton VPN – Both are fast and easy to use. A VPN hides your whole computer’s traffic, not just your browser. Always use a VPN on public Wi-Fi like at airports, hotels, or coffee shops.
https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_US/
https://us.norton.com/products/norton-secure-vpn
Antivirus:
Windows Defender – The built-in antivirus in Windows is still good enough for most people. It’s what I use every day. If you want a more full-featured option, Norton is still my top choice.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security
https://us.norton.com/products/norton-360
Malware/Adware:
Malwarebytes – Still the best free malware scanner. I run it every few weeks, especially if something seems off. It’s powerful and worth supporting by purchasing the premium version.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/
Firewall:
Windows Defender Firewall – I no longer use a separate firewall because Windows does a good job by itself. But if you want extra control, ZoneAlarm is still a solid free option.
https://www.zonealarm.com/software/free-firewall/
All-in-One Antivirus/VPN/Malware/Firewall:
Norton 360 – Still my go-to for an all-in-one solution. It covers all your devices and includes cloud backup and dark web monitoring.
https://amzn.to/2Pv9c0b
DNS, App Blocking, and Home Controls:
DNS Server:
NextDNS – Highly recommended to replace the one your ISP gives you. NextDNS lets you block ads, trackers, malware, and even specific apps or websites. You can use it on individual devices or set it up at the router level to protect your whole network. Nextdns is $20 a year.
https://nextdns.io/
Home App Blocker:
NextDNS – As recommended above, setting up NextDNS on your router to block apps, domains, and services across all devices. If you want a free alternative, OpenDNS is still a good option with basic filtering.
https://nextdns.io/
https://www.opendns.com/
Parental Controls at Home:
TP-Link Deco Routers – If you have kids or just want more control over what devices can access online, TP-Link’s Deco mesh Wi-Fi system is great. Their app makes it easy to create user profiles, set time limits, filter content, and pause internet access by device. Its less than $20 a year for this service.
https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/deco/
Phones & Tablets (Away from Home – For Parents & Kids):
Best Free/Low-Cost Options:
Google Family Link (Android) – This is the best free tool for Android devices. Lets parents set screen time limits, approve or block apps, filter websites, and track device location. It’s built into newer Android versions and works well.
https://families.google.com/familylink/
Apple Screen Time (iPhone/iPad) – Built right into iOS. Lets you limit time by app, schedule downtime, block content by category (like adult websites), and manage everything remotely from your own iPhone or iPad.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982
Affordable Paid Option:
Qustodio – Offers a free tier (limited to 1 device), but their paid plan is affordable and works across Android, iOS, and more. Adds YouTube monitoring, app usage reports, and better time management tools.
https://www.qustodio.com/