Keeping your personal data safe is a constant battle. Every day scammers and hackers are coming up with new ways to access your personal information. Therefore, it’s essential that you protect yourself. Luckily, it’s not all that hard to do. All you need is the right software. Accordingly, we have compiled a list of the five best free solutions you can use to protect your personal data from people with malicious intent.

Kaspersky Security Cloud Free

Antivirus software protects your device from viruses that may steal or destroy your data. Kaspersky is one of the best antivirus protection solutions because, in addition to scanning your files and incoming email for viruses, it also offers data and password protection, secure connectivity, and a privacy cleaner.

The data protection feature offers users a virtual file shredder designed to delete sensitive data and an on-screen keyboard devised to foil keyloggers trying to steal your passwords. The password manager saves website and application passwords, personal data, and secure notes. It also includes secure online storage for documents.

Kaspersky’s secure connection VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server operated by the VPN company. In doing so, your web traffic is protected from the prying eyes of potential attackers. It also hides your IP address, so it’s harder for advertisers to track you online. Lastly, the privacy cleaner looks for and removes traces of your computer and browsing activity so no one malicious can access it.

AVG AntiVirus

Known for its phishing protection, AVG AntiVirus features real-time site analysis to identify phishing frauds that are too new for blacklists. It also features an on-demand virus scanner that searches for hidden malware, including spyware and ransomware. Additionally, AVG scans for malicious URLs, unwanted browser add-ons, and PC performance issues.

AVG protects against zero-day threats by preventing unknown and possibly dangerous files from being opened. These files are then sent to AVG Threat Labs for in-depth analysis. If these files are malicious, a cure will be created and pushed out to all AVG users.

Lastly, AVG AntiVirus includes a File Shredder, which securely deletes sensitive features and keeps your personal data from being exposed.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Working in the background, Bitdefender automatically scans your computer using cloud-based detection. If it finds any malicious software or red flags, it will perform a more in-depth scan. It also blocks malicious URLs and uses behavior-based detection to secure your personal data against potential threats. Additionally, it features anti-fraud and anti-phishing options that utilize advanced filters to warn you away from sites that are known to steal identities.

Bitdefender SafePay keeps your online transactions secure by keeping all processes run under SafePay isolated from processes on your regular desktop. Furthermore, Bitdefender offers a WiFi advisor that checks your home’s network security and alerts you when you connect to an insecure network. It also has a file shredder for permanently deleting sensitive files and a search advisor that notes when a dangerous website turns up in search results.

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus

ZoneAlarm offers antivirus scanning, firewall protection, and identity theft and data loss prevention. The antivirus feature scans your computer for malicious files and removes them as necessary. The firewall protection works by scanning data packets sent through the internet for malicious code and attack vectors that have been identified as established threats. To prevent identity theft and data loss, ZoneAlarm offers daily credit-monitoring tools and a credit education specialist to help you work through any alerts or problems.

Additionally, ZoneAlarm provides a cloud backup service so you can back up your data and encrypt it for online protection.

Avast Free Antivirus

Avast offers antivirus and malware protection, which includes anti-rootkit and anti-spyware capabilities. This software prevents malware attacks by initiating scans before opening unknown files and preventing unknown files from opening if they seem malicious. It also prevents malicious URLs and stops auto-downloads.

Avast also comes with a password manager and a network security scanner. The password manager can be activated as an extension in Chrome, Firefox, and Secure Browser. The network security scanner reports on all devices connected to a network, whether they be wired or wireless, and flags any devices that have security problems. Additionally, Avast comes with a host of customizable options, including protection for your Android devices.