CS² · Trusted Tools
A curated list of consumer services that real privacy and security experts use — vetted by the YouTubers, podcasters, and researchers we trust. No fluff, no fear tactics.
Heads up: Some links may be affiliate or sponsor links from the creators who recommend them. We only list tools we'd point our own families toward.
Remove your personal info from data broker sites and take back control of who can find you online.
Continuously removes your name, address, and phone number from dozens of data broker sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, and Radaris — so scammers and stalkers can't look you up as easily.
Recommended by Techlore, All Things Secured
Visit DeleteMeSimilar to DeleteMe but with a free tier that shows you a snapshot of where your info appears. The paid plan handles the removal requests for you across 200+ data brokers.
Recommended by Privacy Guides
Visit OpteryChecks if your email appeared in any known data breaches, and the paid Plus plan helps you remove personal info from data broker sites — backed by Mozilla, a non-profit you can trust.
Recommended by Mozilla Foundation
Visit Mozilla MonitorKeep an eye on your credit, SSN, and financial accounts so you know the moment something looks off.
All-in-one identity protection that monitors your credit, SSN, bank accounts, and home title — plus it includes a VPN and antivirus. Good family plan option that covers everyone under one subscription.
Recommended by Darknet Diaries, Consumer Reports
Visit AuraOne of the most widely known identity monitoring services. Monitors the dark web, credit bureaus, and public records for signs your identity is being misused — and provides up to $1M in coverage if something goes wrong.
Recommended by Various consumer finance podcasts
Visit LifeLockThe single most effective thing most people can do to prevent identity theft — it stops anyone from opening new credit in your name. Freeze at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) directly. It's free and reversible.
Recommended by Clark Howard, Consumer Reports, CS²
Learn HowStop reusing passwords. A password manager remembers everything so you only need to remember one strong one.
Open-source, independently audited, and free for personal use. Stores unlimited passwords, syncs across all your devices, and is trusted by security professionals worldwide. Our top pick for most people.
Recommended by Techlore, Privacy Guides, CS²
Visit BitwardenPolished, easy to use, and great for families — a family plan lets everyone share certain passwords (like the Netflix account) while keeping their personal ones private. Slightly pricier but very beginner-friendly.
Recommended by Linus Tech Tips, MKBHD
Visit 1PasswordUseful on public Wi-Fi or when you want to keep your browsing more private from your internet provider.
Doesn't ask for your email to sign up — you get an account number and that's it. Flat $5/month, no logging, and consistently recommended by privacy researchers as one of the most trustworthy VPNs available.
Recommended by Privacy Guides, Techlore
Visit MullvadFrom the makers of ProtonMail. Has a solid free tier with no data limits (unusual for a free VPN), and paid plans are competitively priced. Swiss-based, with a strong no-logs track record.
Recommended by All Things Secured, Tom Scott
Visit ProtonVPNProtect your inbox — from private email providers to tools that hide your real address from websites.
End-to-end encrypted email hosted in Switzerland. Even Proton can't read your messages. A solid upgrade from Gmail if you want an email provider that isn't reading your inbox to sell ads.
Recommended by Privacy Guides, Naomi Brockwell
Visit ProtonMailCreates a unique, disposable email alias for every website you sign up to — so you never give out your real address. If one site gets hacked or starts spamming you, just delete that alias.
Recommended by Techlore, Privacy Guides
Visit SimpleLoginFind out if your email or passwords have already been exposed in a data breach.
Type in your email address and instantly see every data breach it's appeared in. Run by security researcher Troy Hunt. Simple, trustworthy, and should be the first thing you check. Free, no account needed.
Recommended by Darknet Diaries, CS², basically everyone
Visit HIBPIf you have a Google account, you can now run a free dark web scan to see if your info has appeared in known data leaks. Not as thorough as dedicated services, but a useful first step and it's already in your pocket.
Recommended by Google, Consumer Reports
Visit Google OneSome links on this page may be affiliate or sponsor links from the creators and podcasters who recommend these tools. CS² may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only list tools we genuinely stand behind — the same ones we recommend to our own clients and families.