Recommended Security Software

While you are protected by proprietary versions of these same types of software while using company computers, there are versions of them for home use. Here are some recommended software to use at home and on your personal devices.

VPN: Virtual Private Network.

If you've ever worked remotely from your FBNN computer, you've used the Feeding America VPN.

A VPN encrypts your internet connection, creating a secure and private tunnel between your device and the VPN server. This prevents your ISP (Internet Service Provider), government agencies, or malicious actors from monitoring your online activities, protecting your privacy. 

Many websites and online services impose geographical restrictions on their content, limiting access to specific regions. With a VPN, you can mask your IP address and connect to servers in different countries, allowing you to bypass these restrictions and access content that may be blocked in your location.

Anonymous Browsing: When you connect to the internet through a VPN, your IP address is replaced with the IP address of the VPN server. This makes it difficult for websites, advertisers, or third parties to track your online activities, providing a higher level of anonymity while browsing.

Public Wi-Fi Security: Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in cafes, airports, and hotels, are often insecure and can expose your data to hackers. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it extremely difficult for anyone to intercept and steal your personal information, ensuring your data remains protected even on untrusted networks.

Some popular VPNs for home use are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhostVPN

Password Manager

Password managers help enhance security by generating strong, complex, and unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Since weak or reused passwords are a major security risk, a password manager ensures that you have strong and unique passwords without the need to remember them all.

Simplified Password Management: With a password manager, you only need to remember one master password to access all your other passwords. This eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords or write them down, reducing the risk of forgetting or losing them.

Convenience and Time Savings: Password managers auto-fill login credentials, saving you time and effort in manually entering passwords each time you visit a website or use an application. This convenience increases productivity and eliminates the frustration of constantly searching for or resetting passwords.

Secure Storage: Password managers securely store your passwords in an encrypted vault, protecting them from unauthorized access. The encrypted vault is typically protected by your master password, and some password managers also offer additional security features like two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of protection.

Cross-Platform Access: Many password managers offer cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to access your passwords across multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. This ensures that your passwords are always available when you need them, regardless of the device you are using.

Popular password managers: NordPass, LastPass, and Dashlane

Antivirus Software

Currently, Windows, Mac, and Linux all come with built in antivirus software that work in the background to prevent hijacks and viruses from compromising your system. While they do help greatly, at the end of the day safe cyber security practices will be your best bet in preventing an infected system.

Here are some popular alternatives if you don't like your preinstalled software: 

Norton360

Bitdefender Total Security

Avast Premium Security