While your child might want to use their brand-new phone to get online immediately, as a parent, you need to make sure that they're protected against cyber threats.
To make sure that your child’s personal details do not fall into the wrong hands and their device isn't ravaged by viruses and malware, you can install protective software like a VPN, an antivirus, and/or a password manager on their smartphone. This may seem daunting, but many providers offer bundled options so you do not need to purchase from multiple different companies.
A parental control app can also be useful as it allows you to stay on top of your child's online habits and whereabouts and steer them clear of any objectionable content, places, and people.
However, with so many options to choose from, it's a tough ask to point to the best of the lot. I've prepared this guide on the back of the expert opinions and first-hand experience of TechRadar experts who test and review hundreds of these tools on a daily basis. Read on to find the top security software to get in 2024 to safeguard yourself and your family.
The best VPN for phones in 2024
With a VPN in your child’s phone, they will be able to browse the internet, play online games, and stream content (including movies and shows that are restricted in your region) without having to worry about hackers and ISPs tracking their internet traffic or ill-mannered users throwing them off game lobbies with DDoS attacks.
Here are the best VPNs for phones on the market right now:
How to pick a VPN to secure your child’s new phone
If you're choosing a VPN for your child’s phone, the number-one thing to check is that your provider offers apps for the kind of device your child has, whether that's Android or iOS.
The VPN you pick should have tons of servers in its kitty. Ideally, you'd want servers in as many countries and cities as possible to enjoy uninterrupted connection from and to anywhere.
Next, evaluate the quality of security features on offer. This includes checking the protocols it supports and whether there's a strict no-logs policy, meaning the provider won't have any knowledge or record of your child’s internet traffic, eliminating any chances of a third party demanding it from them. Other important security offerings include a kill switch and leak protection.
Also, consider the price you’re willing to shell out and the number of devices you want to protect. If you’re on a thin budget, consider opting for a good cheap VPN.
Check out our best Android VPN and the best iPhone VPN guides to zero in on the best service for your needs.
How we test VPNs
Testing VPNs involves hours of hard work and meticulous research – something our experts are good at. First, we visit the provider’s website to check the number of servers it claims to have and the locations it operates in. We ensure that the servers are not concentrated in a specific area, which could result in server overloads and slower speeds.
Then we sign up for the service anonymously and test the compatibility of its apps on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, checking core aspects like the effectiveness of its kill switch and how easy it is to use across various apps and interfaces.
For speed testing, we use two systems, one in the US and one in the UK, with an Ethernet connection. We then run at least 120 speed tests in total before we arrive at the average speeds of the VPN by calculating the median of all the results.
VPNs undergo security audits to increase their customers’ confidence, but we do not take their word for it. We dig deeper to find the purpose of the audit. For example, if the audit was just to verify a VPN’s browser extension, the rest of the features might still raise reasonable doubts.
To test the unblocking powers of the provider, we throw multiple big-name streaming services at it from three different locations around the world.
For more info on our procedures, check out TechRadar’s VPN testing methodology page.
Using a VPN FAQs
Are VPNs easy to use?
Top VPN services are all generally very easy to set up and use, with all options clearly laid out. However, if you're new to VPNs, I recommend using ExpressVPN as it comes with an intuitive one-click connect function – so you connect once and you're always protected. Also, its proprietary Lightway protocol automatically zeroes in on the best server and encryption for your needs.
What can I do with a mobile VPN app?
With a mobile VPN app, you can protect your and your child's smartphones and data when you're out and about in places with public Wi-Fi networks, like a train, a supermarket, or the airport.
Finally, for streaming enthusiasts, a mobile VPN app is a convenient way to bypass geo-restrictions on Netflix and other popular streaming apps and enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows from virtually anywhere.
You can also leverage your VPN connection to save money while shopping for clothes, games, and other products online – all you have to do is move your IP address around to match a location where your desired item is available at a lower price than your own location.
The best antivirus in 2024
The best antivirus software will keep your child protected from viruses, ransomware, malware, and all kinds of cyber criminals who may try to sneak into their devices and steal their personal information.
Many antivirus solutions also offer other security software, like VPNs, parental control apps or password managers, bundled with their antivirus offering meaning you get a great bang for your buck - and also don't have to look further than one provider for online safety tools.
Our experts at TechRadar have reviewed hundreds of antivirus solutions and these are the cream of the crop:
How to pick an antivirus to secure your child’s new phone
The first thing to consider while picking an antivirus solution is its malware detection rate. Ideally, choose a provider that can dish out more than 95% of malware files – the higher, the better.
Next up is your budget and the degree of security you desire. Cheap or even free antivirus products like Bitdefender or Windows Defender can be more than enough for basic malware and threat protection.
However, if your budget allows, I’d recommend upgrading to a full-fledged internet security suite that can not only protect more devices, but also come with extra security products like dark web monitoring, parental controls, and identity theft protection.
Lastly, consider your level of expertise and the promptness of the provider’s customer support wing. If you’re new to antiviruses, you’ll absolutely want plug-and-play apps along with 24/7 support, but if you know your way around tech software, you can opt for more customizability under the hood.
How we test antivirus software
Our in-house experts conduct several rounds of testing on an antivirus solution, evaluating it in every possible way. First, we download the antivirus on various compatible devices and then try to access dangerous websites and purposely download malware files.
We also throw custom-made malware files at the antivirus program that it would have never seen before. This is because antivirus providers act smartly to ensure that their products pass the EICAR test. However, our testing aims to find out whether the service will be able to ward off attackers on the internet who develop new threats regularly.
Performance is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of antivirus software. However, it shouldn’t come at the cost of system performance. We pay attention to how long it takes to load a webpage or how quickly a system-heavy app opens while the antivirus is running. Is it slowing down essential functions or consuming a lot of RAM?
It’s also worth noting that we combine our findings with the results of some widely popular and trustworthy labs like AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST that conduct hundreds, if not thousands, of tests on every big-name antivirus day in and day out.
Using antivirus FAQs
What does antivirus do?
Antivirus software employ real-time protection and heuristic technology to identify and remove both known and unknown threats, including malware, ransomware, and viruses. It's worth noting that you can set your antivirus program to scan any file that enters your device, or you can initiate a scan anytime you want to check either specific or all of the files, folders, and apps on your device.
Is free antivirus enough?
Short answer – yes and no, but more no than yes.
A good free antivirus software employs the same virus protection engine as premium products and is more than capable of protecting your system from basic threats. However, premium antivirus solutions offer lots of extra features, like parental controls, a VPN, and dedicated anti-ransomware protection, virtually leaving no room for any perpetrator whatsoever.
Plus, there are quite a few value-packed antivirus software with unbelievably low price tags, meaning there's hardly any reason to opt for a free antivirus other than just to try out a solution risk-free before committing.
The best password manager in 2024
Password managers can not only protect your child’s login credentials to various websites from those who want to steal them but also generate strong and unique passwords on their behalf. This is in addition to offering auto-fill, data recovery, and cross-device syncing for added security and convenience.
Here are the best password managers that are worth your time and investment:
How to choose a password manager to secure your child’s new phone
Security is the first thing you need to consider when choosing a password manager. Now, all of the providers on our list of the best password managers use strong industry-grade encryption, so that’s a thing you do not need to look into exclusively.
However, other security features like biometric access, multi-factor authentication, password sharing, synchronization across various devices (this won’t be an option if you choose a password manager that stores data locally on the device itself), and any other add-ons on offer can be important considerations, depending on your needs.
Also, note that the more features you want packed in, the higher the cost, so that’s something you’ll have to strike an ideal balance between. If your budget is seriously thin, you can go for Bitwarden, as it doesn’t hide important features behind a paywall.
Your chosen platform’s ease of use cannot be overlooked, either. You should be able to migrate easily and everything on the apps as well as the browser extensions should be easy to find and tweak.
How we test password managers
We follow our testing methodology and put some 30 password managers to the test to find out the best ones for you. We install the apps on all available operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as browser extensions like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, to ensure that our research is comprehensive.
Next, we evaluate the app’s ease of use and whether all available features work as it says on the tin. In addition to trying out auto-fill, multi-factor authentication, and biometric login, we try to access the same account on multiple platforms to check if the password manager syncs well across devices.
We look beyond the absolute price of the password manager to consider how value for money it is. For this, we evaluate every pricing tier, considering the features and add-ons on offer, and then compare it to other providers.
Customer support is just as crucial, and to test it out, we throw all sorts of curveballs at the support agents and then carefully assess the accuracy and speed of their replies.
Password managers FAQs
What is the difference between free and paid password managers?
While both offer the same level of protection, paid password managers often come with tons of nifty add-ons, like cross-platform synchronization, increased storage, multiple logins, secure password sharing, and more.
They can also store information other than passwords, like your credit card details, sensitive messages, and any information that you frequently use so that you can fill out online forms quickly. Plus, you may also get additional security features including dark web monitoring that alerts you when/if your info has been exposed in a data breach.
Should you use your browser password manager?
You can use your browser’s integrated password manager if you're after a convenient and free option, but you'll have to put up with some limitations.
For example, Apple’s Keychain password manager does not sync with Chrome’s password manager, so any passwords that you store on your iPhone will be automatically saved to Keychain, and not to Chrome. This means that if your laptop or computer is not an Apple product, you’ll have to use two password managers, one for your website passwords and the other for mobile app passwords. Indeed, things will be messy and disorganized this way.
Dedicated password managers, on the other hand, avoid any such hassle by offering compatible apps for various devices – and they also come with valuable extras, like the ability to give a nickname to your account passwords, allowing you to locate them easily.
The best parental control app in 2024
A parental control app on your child’s phone gives you more control over what they are looking at, and for how long. These apps will allow you to limit their screen time, block/restrict their access to inappropriate content as well as find out who they’re chatting with, and ensure their security overall.
Below are the best parental control apps:
How to choose a parental control app to secure your child’s new phone
Consider the degree of control you desire from a parental control app, which can often be a byproduct of how old your child is. For instance, if you have a teenager, you may be content with simply knowing what your child is up to, but if your child is under 12, you may want more control over how they use their device and the internet at large, including the ability to block/restrict apps, text and call monitoring, and geofencing.
Additionally, your budget will also have a say on how many features you get. Remember, your child's privacy is priceless, so it can be a wise decision to shell out a few more bucks for higher-priced solutions that usually cater to every need.
Next, look at the ease of use of the parental control app. If you’re not tech-savvy, make sure the interfaces across various devices are easy to use and intuitive.
You'll also have to consider whether the target phone needs to be jailbroken for installation. The bottom line is that the set-up process should be straightforward and the provider should offer detailed guides and prompt customer support to help you out every step of the way.
How we test parental control apps
Like any other tech product on TechRadar, we test parental control software on five parameters as well — design, features, usability, performance, and value for money.
First, we sign up with the service and test it out in different real-world scenarios to see if something breaks. Our experts put in around 10 hours of meticulous research to check the features, performance, and ease of setup and installation of each parental control software. Then we compare the results and rank the providers accordingly.
We also determine how the program performs on various platforms. For example, if a parental control app supports both Android and iOS, we check out both platforms to find out if there's consistency in performance and whether there are any feature differences.
A parental control app shouldn’t consume a ton of system resources. After all, you wouldn’t want your child to get suspicious because of quick battery loss and system lags. That's why we check the device's performance after installing the parental control app to see if it's truly discreet.
Last but not least, we evaluate customer support by throwing genuine questions at the support agents. Then we evaluate how quickly they get back to us and whether their proposed solutions are actually helpful.
Parental control apps FAQs
What are the best practices to keep your children safe online?
First and foremost, it's important to talk to your children regularly and openly about what they do online and teach them how to browse the internet securely, including best practices and what not to do, such as why/when not to share personal details and pictures online, particularly with strangers.
For detailed insights into your children’s online habits, including how much time they spend online, who they talk to, and where they are after school, you can use the best parental control software. It will allow you to limit their screen time and block access to apps, sites, and any other objectionable content that you may not want them to watch. However, make sure that you continually update the software and tweak its settings for maximum benefit.
What features should I look for in a parental control app?
Although the features that matter the most may differ from parent to parent, some core offerings must be present. These include the ability to limit your child's screen time, block/restrict apps and any other inappropriate content, and the ability to manage multiple devices/children from a single and easy-to-use dashboard.
