netgear armour review
Netgear is a well-known name in the world of networking equipment, and for good reason. The company has a long history of producing high-quality routers, modems, and other networking devices that have helped to connect people around the world. However, in recent years, Netgear has expanded its offerings beyond just hardware and has entered the realm of cybersecurity with its Netgear Armour service. In this review, we will take a closer look at Netgear Armour and see if it lives up to the company’s reputation for excellence.
What is Netgear Armour?
Netgear Armour is a subscription-based cybersecurity service that is designed to provide advanced protection for all of the devices connected to your home network. This includes computer s, smartphones, tablets, and any other internet-connected devices. The service is powered by Bitdefender, one of the leading names in the cybersecurity industry, and provides a comprehensive suite of security features to keep your devices safe from online threats.
Installation and Setup
The first step in using Netgear Armour is to purchase a subscription. The service is available in two tiers: Basic and Premium. The Basic plan covers up to 5 devices and includes features such as antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-phishing protection. The Premium plan covers up to 20 devices and includes all of the features of the Basic plan, as well as advanced features such as parental controls, anti-theft protection, and a VPN. Once you have purchased your subscription, the next step is to install the Netgear Armour app on your router. This can be done through the Netgear Genie app or through the web-based dashboard.
Overall, the installation process is relatively straightforward and can be completed in just a few minutes. However, it is worth noting that not all Netgear routers are compatible with Netgear Armour, so it is important to check the list of supported routers before purchasing a subscription.
Antivirus and Anti-Malware Protection
One of the primary features of Netgear Armour is its antivirus and anti-malware protection. This is powered by Bitdefender’s award-winning technology and provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and other online threats. The antivirus and anti-malware scans are performed on all devices connected to your network, ensuring that all of your devices are protected.
During our testing, we found that Netgear Armour was highly effective at detecting and removing viruses and malware. It also includes a feature called Active Virus Control, which monitors the behavior of applications and can stop potential threats before they have a chance to do any harm. This is a valuable feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your devices.
Anti-Phishing Protection
In addition to antivirus and anti-malware protection, Netgear Armour also includes anti-phishing protection. This is an essential feature in today’s world, where phishing attacks are becoming increasingly common. Netgear Armour’s anti-phishing protection works by analyzing links in emails and messages to determine if they are legitimate or not. If a link is determined to be malicious, Netgear Armour will block access to the site, protecting you from potential scams and fraud.
Parental Controls
For parents, one of the most valuable features of Netgear Armour is its parental controls. This allows you to set filters and limits for your children’s devices, ensuring that they are only accessing appropriate content. You can also set time limits for specific devices, which is great for managing screen time for younger children. Additionally, Netgear Armour includes a feature called Safe Browsing, which blocks access to adult content and other inappropriate websites.
Anti-Theft Protection
Another innovative feature of Netgear Armour is its anti-theft protection. This feature is available on the Premium plan and allows you to track and lock your devices if they are lost or stolen. You can also remotely wipe the data from your device to protect your personal information. This is a valuable feature for those who have sensitive data on their devices and want to ensure that it remains safe in the event of theft or loss.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
The Premium plan also includes a VPN, which is a valuable feature for those who want to protect their online privacy. A VPN works by encrypting your internet traffic, making it nearly impossible for anyone to intercept or access your data. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured and can leave your personal information vulnerable to hackers.
Netgear Armour’s VPN is powered by Bitdefender’s technology and is very easy to use. Simply toggle it on in the Netgear Armour app, and all of your internet traffic will be encrypted, ensuring your online privacy and security.
Performance Impact
One of the concerns with any cybersecurity service is its impact on the performance of your devices. After all, nobody wants to sacrifice speed and performance for the sake of security. However, we were pleasantly surprised by Netgear Armour’s performance impact. During our testing, we did not notice any significant slowdowns in internet speeds or device performance while using the service.
Customer Support
Netgear is known for its excellent customer support, and this extends to Netgear Armour as well. The company offers 24/7 technical support for all of its customers, and we found their support staff to be knowledgeable and helpful. Additionally, the Netgear website includes a wealth of resources, including user guides and FAQs, to help customers get the most out of their Netgear Armour subscription.
Final Verdict
After thoroughly testing Netgear Armour, we can confidently say that it is an excellent cybersecurity service that lives up to the company’s reputation for excellence. The service provides comprehensive protection for all of your devices, and its advanced features such as parental controls, anti-theft protection, and VPN make it stand out from other security services on the market.
While the service is not free, we believe that the peace of mind and added security is well worth the cost. Whether you are a parent looking to protect your children’s devices or simply want to ensure the security and privacy of your own devices, Netgear Armour is a great choice. With its powerful features, ease of use, and excellent customer support, we highly recommend Netgear Armour to anyone looking for a reliable and effective cybersecurity service.
types of data breaches
In today’s digital age, data breaches have become a common occurrence, affecting individuals, businesses, and governments alike. A data breach, also known as a data leak or data compromise, is a security incident in which sensitive, protected, or confidential information is accessed, viewed, copied, transmitted, or used by an unauthorized individual or group. Such incidents can have severe consequences, ranging from financial losses to reputational damage.
There are various types of data breaches, and understanding them is crucial in preventing and mitigating their impact. In this article, we will discuss the different types of data breaches and their potential consequences.
1. Hacking
Hacking is perhaps the most well-known type of data breach. It involves unauthorized access to a computer system or network, usually by exploiting vulnerabilities in the system’s security. Hackers can gain access to sensitive information, such as personal or financial data, by using various techniques, including social engineering, malware, and brute force attacks.
One of the most significant data breaches in recent years was the 2017 Equifax breach, where hackers gained access to the personal information of over 147 million people, including names, birth dates, addresses, and social security numbers. The incident cost the company millions of dollars in settlements and damaged its reputation.
2. Phishing
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where the attacker sends fraudulent emails, texts, or messages to trick the recipient into clicking on a link or downloading an attachment. These messages often appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a government agency, and contain a sense of urgency or fear to prompt the recipient to act quickly.
Once the victim clicks on the link or downloads the attachment, malware is installed on their device, allowing the attacker to access their data. In 2016, Yahoo suffered a massive data breach due to a successful phishing attack, compromising over 3 billion user accounts.
3. Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, is a type of software designed to gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network. It can take various forms, such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and ransomware. Malware attacks often target vulnerable systems and can result in data theft, financial losses, and system disruptions.
One of the most infamous malware attacks was the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, which affected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The attack caused chaos and financial losses, highlighting the devastating impact of malware attacks.
4. Insider Threats
While most data breaches are caused by external actors, insider threats are becoming a growing concern for organizations. Insider threats refer to data breaches caused by current or former employees, contractors, or partners who have authorized access to an organization’s systems and data.
These individuals may intentionally or unintentionally disclose sensitive information, steal data, or misuse their access for personal gain. The 2013 Edward Snowden incident, where he leaked classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA), is an example of an insider threat.
5. Physical Theft or Loss
Data breaches can also occur due to physical theft or loss of devices containing sensitive information. This type of breach often occurs when a laptop, smartphone, or other portable device is lost or stolen. If the device is not protected with proper security measures, such as encryption, the data stored on it can be easily accessed by the thief.
In 2019, Capital One suffered a data breach when an employee stole data from their cloud servers, compromising over 100 million customer accounts. The incident highlighted the need for strict security measures, even for physical devices.
6. Unsecured Databases
Another type of data breach occurs when an organization’s database is not adequately secured, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information. This can be due to misconfigured databases, unpatched software, or weak passwords, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks.
In 2018, the personal information of over 500 million customers of the hotel chain Marriott was compromised due to a data breach caused by an unsecured database. The incident resulted in a $124 million fine for the company under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
7. Human Error
Human error is one of the leading causes of data breaches. It can range from accidentally sending an email containing sensitive information to the wrong recipient to misconfigured systems or improperly disposing of physical documents containing personal data.
In 2018, the Australian Red Cross suffered a data breach when a contractor accidentally uploaded a database containing sensitive information of over 550,000 blood donors to a publicly accessible website. The incident was a result of human error and led to a $275,000 fine for the organization.
8. Supply Chain Attacks
Supply chain attacks occur when an attacker targets a third-party supplier or vendor of an organization to gain access to their systems and data. This type of data breach is becoming increasingly common, and it can affect multiple organizations that use the same supplier.
In 2020, the SolarWinds supply chain attack compromised the systems of numerous organizations, including government agencies and Fortune 500 companies, by exploiting a vulnerability in the company’s software. The attack highlighted the need for organizations to assess their suppliers’ security measures to prevent such incidents.
9. Physical Skimming
Physical skimming refers to the use of electronic devices to steal credit card information at physical payment terminals. The attackers install the devices, known as skimmers, on ATMs, gas pumps, or other payment terminals, to capture credit card information as customers swipe their cards.
In 2019, Wawa, a popular convenience store chain in the US, suffered a data breach when cybercriminals installed malware on their point-of-sale systems, compromising the credit card information of over 30 million customers. The incident was a result of physical skimming and highlighted the need for improved payment security measures.
10. Misuse of Credentials
Finally, data breaches can occur when an attacker gains access to an organization’s system using stolen or compromised credentials. This can happen when employees use weak passwords, reuse passwords across multiple accounts, or fall victim to phishing attacks.
The 2018 Uber data breach was a result of compromised credentials, where attackers gained access to the personal information of over 57 million customers and drivers. The incident led to a $148 million settlement for failing to protect its customers’ data.
In conclusion, data breaches can have severe consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. It is essential for organizations to understand the different types of data breaches and implement proper security measures to prevent them. These measures may include regular security assessments, employee training, and the use of encryption and multifactor authentication. With the ever-evolving threat landscape, it is crucial to stay vigilant and proactive in protecting sensitive information from data breaches.
