If you’re not thinking about privacy and security when you’re using your Apple devices, then you should be. For the same reason that you buy insurance, you should utilize security apps on your devices. Even if you never actually need them, the peace of mind they offer is priceless.
From apps that help you avoid embarrassing situations to apps that protect your life savings, these are the security and privacy programs you need to download.
1. Muzzle
Screen sharing is an underrated modern invention that can do everything from help tech support employees see exactly what the user is doing to help long distance couples watch a movie together. The only problem with screen sharing is that sometimes you may accidentally share a little too much if you forget to disable notifications.
Muzzle is a handy little app that automatically enables do not disturb mode whenever it detects that you have begun a screen sharing session. Essentially, it allows you to skip a step most of us take when screen sharing and serves as a failsafe against embarrassing situations.
2. 1Password
If you’re like most people, you know that you should use a different password for every website and service. Of course, most of us end up relying on our favorite password even though we know the risks.
What 1Password does is ensure that your favorite password won’t trigger a domino effect if it’s compromised. The app generates random, difficult to crack passwords for all your accounts and hides them behind password of your choosing. That way, all of your accounts are protected by unique passwords, but you only need to remember one.
3. Keeply
Keeping sensitive information and photos on your device is rarely a good idea. However, it’s inevitable that you’re going to store something very private on your go-to devices at some point.
Keeply doesn’t judge you for what you choose to keep on your devices. It just wants to make sure you feel secure in the knowledge that it’s for your eyes only. Keeply locks everything from private photos to your credit card numbers behind encrypted barriers accessed by a pin number of your choosing. It can even generate false pins for an extra layer of security.
4. Signal
There was once a time when the idea of encrypting your phone calls and messages seemed like something you’d only do if you decided to become an international spy. However, the sad fact is that your person-to-person communications are not nearly as safe as you’d like to believe they are.
Signal is the ultimate safeguard against the possibility that your communications may be compromised. It utilizes private servers that can be accessed by you and the people you communicate with. Best of all, you don’t have to alter the way you already use your phone in order to take advantage of Signal’s features.
5. NordVPN
More and more, people have been talking about VPNs with good reason. At a time when everyone from ad agencies to your carrier can theoretically track your online activity, VPN’s allow users to take advantage of highly encrypted private servers that are nearly impossible to crack.
There are many VPN services out there, but NordVPN is one of the best around. It’s incredibly simple to use, offers military-grade encryption, and even comes with a 7-day free trial and limited free data usage after that. Even if you don’t use a VPN by default, it’s an excellent tool to have when traveling or using public Wi-Fi.
