Cyber Security Tools and Software

Want to protect your home or business against malicious software and cyber-attacks? A good cyber security software or cyber security tool can protect your data, devices, servers, or networks. Read more to find out everything you need to know about cyber security.

When you think of home or business security, you most likely imagine locks, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, and security guards. Yet, cyber security is also crucial in today’s digital age. Password-protected accounts and computers are often not enough to prevent hacking or cyber-attacks. Fortunately, you can invest in state-of-the-art cyber security tools and software programs that can greatly assist in protecting you, your family, and your business. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about cyber security including what cyber security is, the advantages of using cyber security software, the best cyber security tools, how to set up cyber security software, the costs and how to try cyber security for free. 

What Is Cyber Security? 

Cyber security is a carefully designed, complex system dedicated to defend networks, servers, and electronic devices from cyber-attacks and infiltrations. In other words, it can prevent unauthorized people or computers from accessing, retrieving, using, or destroying private data. 

What Are the Types of Cyber Security Tools?

There are many different types of cyber security tools. The best software programs will combine a few of these processes together to create a strong defense system:

•  Network Security Monitoring: Network security monitoring tools analyze your network and system on a regular basis. They can detect and alert you to any cyber risks or security threats. 

• Encryption: Encryption tools convert data to code, preventing unauthorized users from viewing data in its raw form. 

• Vulnerability Scanning: Vulnerability scanning tools analyze websites, networks, and servers to find holes or potential holes, where hackers or attackers can easily enter. 

• Packet Sniffing: Packet sniffers analyze packet data, or units of control data and user information. They can confirm valid network traffic and detect out-of-the-ordinary spikes in traffic which could indicate cyber-attacking activity. 

• Antivirus: Antivirus tools detect and remove potentially malicious software and files from your devices. Viruses and malcode can damage or corrupt files or devices.

• Firewall: Firewalls prevent users and malicious files from entering a computer or network. 

• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): PKI processes protect communication between your server and your clients or users. 

• Penetration Testing: Penetration testing tools launch simulated cyber-attacks to check for potential vulnerabilities.

Advantages of Cyber Security Software

If you select a tool or software program that meets your needs, you can reap significant cyber security advantages. A few of the most prominent benefits include:

• Protecting personal information, financial data, identification, credentials and passwords, and intellectual property. 

• Preventing identity theft, financial fraud, unauthorized financial transactions, and intellectual theft. 

• Protecting against viruses and malware that could corrupt files, damage your devices, and even affect hardware. 

• Preventing hackers from accessing your network and other devices within that network (such as security cameras, monitors, or speech recognition devices). 

• Preventing hackers from accessing sensitive information such as your full name and full physical address. 

• Improving customer confidence if you own a business. 

Best Cyber Security Tools and Software

If you are looking for the best cyber security software, you may be interested in the following top-rated providers:

• Rapid7: Rapid7 provides top-of-the-line cloud security, threat detection, threat intelligence, threat response, and vulnerability risk management. 

• Syxsense: Syxsense offers cloud-based systems that scan for vulnerabilities, manage patches, and provide PKI security. 

• McAfee: McAfee is well-known for their anti-virus software and cyber threat and malware detection. 

• Norton: Norton offers anti-virus software protecting your devices and networks against viruses, malware, and other threats. 

• AppTrana: AppTrana is an excellent source for firewall, web vulnerability scanning, app vulnerability scanning, pen testing, traffic monitoring, and more. 

• SecurityHQ: No matter what you are looking for in your cyber security software, SecurityHQ most likely has it. From firewalls, to PKI services, to packet sniffing, they do it all!

• Symantec: Symantec offers advanced software programs for protecting personal information, information exchanged between you and clients, network data, and cloud data. 

• QAlified: With QAlified, they can provide a system that works for you and your specific needs. They offer a range of cyber security services from penetration testing to vulnerability scanning.

• Palo Alto Networks: Palo Alto Networks provides protection for cloud systems, against malware and other threats. 

• Sophos: Sophos is a great option if you are looking for data security, data encryption, network security, mobile security, and email security. 

How to Set-Up Cyber Security Software 

When selecting a cyber security software program, make sure it suits your personal or business needs. Some cyber security companies will even tailor-make a cyber security software program for you such as QAlified, BairesDev, Cabem, or TeleGroup.

Once you have purchased your cyber security software, you may receive a downloadable program or a CD. In either case, you will simply open the file and follow the installation directions. You may need to restart your computer after, to ensure proper installation and configuration. For smart devices, you may need to download an application to your phone or tablet. However, the process of installation is relatively the same. 

Most modern cyber security software programs will run in the background of your electronic devices, servers, or networks without your interference. However, you need to respond to any alerts that may pop up or you may need to check from time-to-time to ensure no threats or vulnerabilities have been detected. Additionally, you need to update or patch your cyber security on a regular basis. This ensures your software remains up-to-date and can provide proper protection. 

Costs of Cyber Security Software 

The cost of your cyber security software depends on how many services you receive, how large your network is, and how many devices you need protected. For personal use, cyber security programs can cost as little as $2 per month or as much as $150 per month. Most cyber security software programs for home use cost between $60-$80 for the program and have a relatively low monthly cost. 

For business networks, most experts believe a company should expect to spend 10% of their Information Technology (IT) budget on corporate cyber security. 

How to Try Cyber Security Tools for Free and Check Web Site Security

Most cyber security software providers offer a free trial or a limited version of their software for free. In this way, you can try most software to see if you enjoy the basic features before committing to a full-version or a paid subscription to the services. If you run a small-medium sized business, this may be an especially important step. Since you may not know how a system will work for your business, employees, or customers before giving it a try, ask your preferred software provider if they offer free trials before purchasing. 

There are many different ways in which web security software can check your web sites vulnerability by doing a simple scan. In addition, web security software can also help to check your website's security on a regular basis. This is important because it can help to ensure that your data is always safe and secure. There are many different types of web security software available, and you should choose the one that best suits your needs. However, there are some basic features that all web security software should provide. These include the ability to check your website's security on a regular basis, encrypt data, and provide a firewall between your website and the internet.

Compare Internet Security Software

Internet security software is vital for keeping your internet connection secure and free from any hacking of any kind.