During one of my "Office Hours" sessions, one leader raised the challenge of trying to develop your team.
“It’s hard enough to develop people,” they explained, “but now everyone is remote, there are no in-person classes, and we don’t have any resources.”
It seems we struggle with creating entry-level pathways as much as we do with developing the skills to progress in your career. Mostly, we seem to let people fumble through the process until they gain enough skills to find another job.
Under constant pressure to perform, it seems easier to just hire people with experience than figure out the right blend of training and development to help people grow, contribute and earn recognition.
Sometimes the real challenge is we’re not sure how to develop ourselves, let alone guide others through the process. But as leaders, we need to develop ourselves before we can effectively develop our team.
Make no mistake, training is important. Training — whether in a classroom or on-the-job — focuses on teaching specific skills in a short period. We rely on training to build skills.
How often have you enjoyed a training class, only to get back to work the next week and realize you can’t implement anything you learned?
Even with the best of intentions, transferring the new skills into an existing environment is often overwhelming.
That’s where development kicks in.
Development is applying those skills consistently in our unique environment.
The ideal is to get a little better every day, despite the challenges that naturally get in our way. Through the development process, you gain new skills and learn how to put them to use, too.
As leaders, it’s our responsibility to elevate our teams by providing each person with the development they need to grow, contribute and earn recognition.
As leaders, we grow by solving hard problems. For many, figuring out development is a hard, complex problem to solve.
If you’re the leader who embraces the problem of how to successfully and consistently develop their team, then you create massive value for each person and the team overall.
Growth opportunities for individuals build overall coverage and expand the capability and capacity of the team, making it even easier to connect security to business results.
As an added benefit, strong development programs stand out, making it easier to keep people and find new folks, when needed.
Miss the mark, though, and people get stagnant. Instead of expanding coverage and delivering value faster, folks leaving the team create gaps in coverage and slow down your progress.
Sometimes, the easiest path is to offer people what they want. If they don’t know what they want, then design a series of varied tasks and activities. Engage them with different parts of the team (if your team is big enough), other teams, and other parts of the organization.
Consider this in three steps:
Based on each person’s path, explore situations and opportunities to help them gain the experience necessary to inform better decisions and insights.
Often, this means offering activities and tasks that create fresh problems for them to solve, increasing their value as they grow.
I enjoy offering purposeful cross-pollination/cross-training exercises to blend the team together and give everyone a chance to teach, learn, and try new things.
The challenge for most is learning to delegate to elevate. It means letting go just enough for the folks on your team to work through and solve the problems.
The frustration expressed in Office Hours felt more like a lack of budgets or ways to train people, based on how we used to do it. But the reality is we don’t lack quality resources, many of them available for free or low-cost.
Development is a consistent practice, and it requires time.
Whether free or paid, the real challenge is creating the safe space, structure, and help to translate resources into practical, applied experience. Folks need time to experiment, learn from their actions, and measure their progress.
Consider ways to support your team regularly:
I like it when teams dedicate specific days and times to their development. Maybe it’ll work for you, too.
This is not only a neat thing to do, it’s precisely the purpose of leadership. Set the destination, chart the path, lead the way, and elevate people on the journey.
You don’t need resources to do this. You just need to know how to develop yourself and use what you’ve learned to develop others.
You got this.
In October’s House of Lords Science & Technology Committee session on the ongoing inquiry on People and Skills in UK Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Robert West, Head of Education and Skills at the CBI stated ‘upskilling and reskilling are the biggest games in town”, citing it as one of the UK Government’s missions described in the White Paper on Levelling Up. This reflection is key to understanding how the UK (and many developed nations) will address the growing skills gaps in STEM. Anecdotally and evidentially, companies are crying out for qualified staff with skills in a range of digital skills including AI (Artificial Intelligence), high performance computing (HPC), data science and cyber security. While we undoubtedly need to encourage more students to take up STEM subjects, we also need to recognise that much more could be immediately delivered through the up-skilling and re-skilling of experienced people already in the workforce.
This syllabu is particularly close to the hearts of many universities delivering education in AI which in turn requires skills in computer science, HPC and other related topics. According to the OECD Policy Observatory on AI, over 60 countries have published over 800 policy instruments related to AI, illustrating the importance of the field and the need to drive capacity to deliver AI into an ever increasing number of market sectors. It is equally clear that the most significant barrier to AI adoption is the shortage of people with AI skills and the associated skills of HPC, data science and cyber security, reflecting the need to develop new mechanisms to deliver such education to a much wider set of students. According to the 2021 Ipsos MORI report for DCMS on “Understanding the UK AI labour market: 2020”, there were over 110,000 job postings in AI and data science in 2020, with over 50% requiring a degree, most commonly in STEM subjects. In their analysis, they found that 54% of company’s AI certified had PhDs, a very high barrier to entry to an area in such high demand.
In the US, the insatiable demand for AI-related doctorates has meant that over 20% of computer science PhDs are now in AI. There are further challenges related to the dependence of AI on high performance computing, especially the architecting of massive GPU clusters. The demand for such skills has led to aggressive recruitment among companies, leading to salary inflation and high levels of staff churn. It has even led to problems in parts of academia with large numbers of academics in some universities, including Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Washington, choosing to make the jump to industry. Even highly successful AI research groups, producing dozens of AI PhDs every year, are barely making a dent in the demand.
One of the long-term solutions to the skills drought in AI, Data Science, HPC and related skills, is to push the education of such courses to points earlier and later in the education chain. Many universities already offer strong research degrees in AI, strong Masters courses in AI (including conversation courses for non-STEM graduates), often underpinned by knowledge of HPC, cyber and other essential skills. Some undergraduate degrees which include AI such topics, but there it stops. Introducing these complex subjects into secondary education is desirable but hard because of the complexity and breadth of courses which need to be taught. Therefore the obvious area to explore is the opportunity to provide education opportunities to people already enjoying technical careers in IT or where domain expertise in areas like healthcare, banking, energy production, etc can be augmented by the addition of these high-end skills. There are multiple challenges here, including how to compress large courses like AI into modular, flexible and immediately practical courses, ideally with some formal recognition and consistency between course providers. Online courses offer some hope but there is no substitute (yet) for face to face time with expert practitioners.
One of the critical enablers for this change is to develop stronger engagement between education providers and the companies developing and using these technologies so that courses are shaped and adapted to meet real-world needs. This is particularly important in AI because of the volume of leading-edge work originating in industry, coupled with the sheer pace and scale of commercial development in AI backed by billion-dollar budgets of the Silicon Valley supergiants. Disruptive models are starting to emerge such as Xavier Neil’s Ecole 42 teacherless peer-to-peer school for computer science, bypassing the need for academic educators completely. There is also the growing possibility of using AI to Boost education delivery in these syllabu areas, allowing courses to be personalised and adapted according to the student’s needs, experience, learning styles, etc. The time to engage with this syllabu is now and the implications of getting it right (or wrong) will have significant impact on our future societies, economies and lives.
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
Laura is techUK’s Head of Programme for Technology and Innovation.
A professional writer since 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, John Lister ran the press department for the Plain English Campaign until 2005. He then worked as a freelance writer with credits including national newspapers, magazines and online work. He specializes in technology and communications.
Symantec and VMware unveiled a strategic partnership to unify endpoint management and broader threat security. As part of the announcement at VMware's Connect 2016 conference in Atlanta, Symantec joined the VMware Mobile Security Alliance, a group of digital security companies that work to mitigate mobile threats by providing advanced security solutions that are seamlessly integrated into the VMware AirWatch Enterprise Mobility Management Platform
To address the challenges of increased security vulnerabilities, Symantec and VMware plan to integrate their cybersecurity and endpoint management technologies. The two companies want enable organizations to have the ability to leverage advanced machine learning techniques through Symantec's Global Intelligence Network with integrated identity management and unified endpoint management via the VMware AirWatch compliance engine.
The announcement comes less than two months after VMware announced its new approach endpoint security, which it has dubbed Unified Endpoint Management (UEM). The approach combines endpoint security, endpoint management and software lifecycle automation.
In the 2016 Internet Security Threat Report, Symantec reported that new mobile vulnerabilities increased by 214 percent in 2015. VMware and Symantec said that data confirms the need to complement threat intelligence with comprehensive endpoint management to achieve end-to-end security from the device to inside the data center.
Kris Hagerman says his security firm is picking up some business due to customers’ concerns over the proposed Broadcom-VMware merger.
Sophos chief executive Kris Hagerman says his British security company is picking up new business from VMware customers nervous about Broadcom’s proposed $61 billion takeover of VMware.
In a latest interview with CRN, Hagerman said Broadcom, the semiconductor heavyweight now branching out into other tech fields, appears to be following the same customer and channel strategies with VMware that it used after its often-criticized takeover of Symantec’s enterprise business for more $10.7 billion in 2019.
Asked by CRN during a latest interview whether he saw an opportunity for Sophos to nab some VMware customers and partners due to the proposed merger, which includes the VMware Carbon Black security solutions, Hagerman replied, “Well, of course.”
He added: “The reality is we saw the same thing with Broadcom’s acquisition of Symantec. And I think this is a stated strategy of a Broadcom. That they really only focus on their top 500 to 1,000 customers. And as a result, they essentially step back almost entirely from the channel — and you’ve seen that in spades with Symantec and the acquisition of Symantec.”
He said smaller customers will be impacted along with partners as a result of any merger.
“They (at Broadcom) also essentially step back from almost all of their customers if they’re not in the top 500 or 1.000. And, as a result, it ends up opening up opportunities for all sorts of other vendors, including Sophos.”
Asked what VMware customers and partners were telling Sophos, Hagerman said: “They’re saying exactly the same thing that all those Symantec customers and partners said. There’s just exactly the same movie playing over. It’s literally the same game plan being applied to a new acquisition.”
He added: “So all those partners and customers, they just say, ‘OK, yeah, it‘s very obvious what’s going to happen. The same thing that happened with the Symantec products and partners and customers. The same thing is going to happen with VMware and the same thing is going to happen with the Carbon Black component underneath VMware.’”
Hagerman is not the only tech CEO to say that VMware customers and partners are reaching out to other vendors following Broadcom’s announcement last spring that it planned to buy VMWare.
At The Channel Company’s Best of Breed conference in Atlanta earlier this year, CrowdStrike chief executive George Kurtz said his cybersecurity company is fielding inquiries from a number of VMware customers concerned about the proposed Broadcom-VMware merger.
Since last spring’s merger announcement, Broadcom and VMware officials have aggressively pushed back at the notion that a VMware takeover will merely be a repeat of the budget cuts and price increases that happened after past Broadcom acquisitions.
Asked by CRN for a response to Hagerman’s comments, a Broadcom spokesman pointed to two latest posts, one on Wednesday and the other last month, by Broadcom president and CEO Hock Tan.
In his post earlier this week, Tan addressed frequently expressed fears that Broadcom plans to raise prices for VMware products after the proposed merger goes through, assuming it gets final regulatory approvals.
“I’ve continued to see questions in press reports about whether we intend to raise prices on VMware products. The answer is simple: No,” Tan said in his post.
He also asserted that all customers will be treated fairly.
“Following the transaction’s close, we’re going to focus on making VMware’s products better for all of our customers, including enterprise customers who want products that are even easier to use. And, to be clear, we intend to continue serving customers of all sizes,” he said in the Nov. 30 post.
Tan added: “VMware has a robust partner ecosystem that we will build upon to help us serve even the smallest companies. In short, we plan to take a ‘no customer left behind’ approach.”
Worth Davis, senior vice president at Calian IT & Cyber Solutions, an Ottawa, Ontario-based solutions provider, said most partners assume VMware products will cost more after a merger with Broadcom.
“They know what’s coming. They know prices will increase,” he said.
Davis, whose firm is a VMware partner, said many customers and partners may talk about switching to new vendors, but he said it’s easier said than done. “It’s difficult to get out of a technical architecture decision.”
He said he’s not abandoning VMware products because they offer “critical technology.”
He added he wouldn’t be surprised if Broadcom ended up focusing on VMware’s top 500 to 1,000 customers. “It’s something everyone does,” he said.
Avery Martin holds a Bachelor of Music in opera performance and a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian studies. As a professional writer, she has written for Education.com, Samsung and IBM. Martin contributed English translations for a collection of Japanese poems by Misuzu Kaneko. She has worked as an educator in Japan, and she runs a private voice studio out of her home. She writes about education, music and travel.
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Audio hobbyists will search endlessly for the very best turntable, the warmest tube-based amplifier, the richest-sounding speakers. Having collected the epitome of perfection in every category, they happily spend hours getting all the components to cooperate for a blissful listening experience. Somehow, nobody seems to have the same enthusiasm for picking out and integrating an antivirus utility, spam filter, parental monitor, and so on. It’s so much smarter, easier, and cheaper to just find a security suite that incorporates all the desired features, happily working together.
Some security companies just add the most essential components to create a suite, while others rope in a huge variety of security elements. Just which of these security juggernauts should you choose? We’ve reviewed nearly 40 different suites and pulled together the best, from simple entry-level suites to cross-platform multi-device lollapaloozas. We're sharing the top suites we've tested here, along with that makes them unique and how they can work for you.
This article briefly mentions the many tests we use to evaluate security suites and determine which are the best. If you want more details on the torture tests we perform on every product we review, please read the full explanation of how we test security software.
When you buy a security suite, there’s an implied promise it will keep you safe. Norton 360 Deluxe makes that promise explicit. As long as you choose auto-renewal, you’ve got a ensure Norton support will handle any malware that gets past the app’s protection. And that’s some powerful protection—all four independent labs we follow routinely give Norton perfect to near-perfect scores. It also aces our hands-on tests.
This suite includes a robust, intelligent firewall, a basic password manager, and a local spam filter, as well as a dark web monitoring system to warn if your private data is exposed. As a standalone, the parental control system is an Editors’ Choice. Your subscription lets you protect up to five devices running Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. It also gets you five full licenses for Norton’s VPN. That’s a rarity; many other suites make you pay extra to remove limits from their included VPN components. And the 50GB of online storage for your backups is a nice bonus.
Some users were put off by the inclusion of Norton Crypto, an Ethereum-mining component managed by Norton. That's over due to Ethereum's merger and move away from GPU-based mining. Users can keep or cash out any cryptocurrency they've already accumulated, but Norton-backed mining is over.
Norton security products have been around for decades, and the brand has plenty of fans. This is a good choice for anyone who wants a time-tested suite that covers all the bases, but it's especially good for those who wisely opt to protect their connections with a VPN.
Bitdefender’s standalone antivirus packs in more features than some self-proclaimed suites, and Bitdefender Internet Security piles on even more. The core antivirus technology consistently earns perfect and near-perfect scores from independent testing labs, and its ransomware-specific protection aced our tests. Other key features include a no-hassle firewall, a simple spam filter, password management, file shredding, a full-powered parental control system, and more. And it wraps all this protection in an AutoPilot system that lets you sit back and enjoy your protection, with minimal interaction.
Bitdefender does include a VPN, but with limits. You can’t pick and choose among available servers, and you can only use 200MB of bandwidth per day. That’s enough to try out the VPN protection, but if you plan to make serious use of the VPN you’ll have to pay for an upgrade.
Maybe you’re torn between two choices. On the one hand, you want a security suite that packs in every important security component. On the other hand, you don’t want those components clamoring for your attention when you’re working, gaming, or relaxing with a video. Is that you? If so, then Bitdefender Internet Security, with its multitude of components reined in by AutoPilot, is just what you need.
You almost certainly have security protection for your PCs, but have you protected your other devices? Bitdefender Total Security pours all the excellent, well-behaved features of Bitdefender Internet Security into your Windows boxes, and goes on to offer protection for your macOS, Android, and iOS devices. It also kicks its Windows game up a notch with system optimization and an unusual anti-theft component.
You manage your installations (or launch new ones) from the handy Bitdefender Central online console. Installing protection on a Mac you get Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, an Editors’ Choice in its own realm, as well as the same limited VPN you see in Windows. The password manager and parental control features also support macOS.
Installed on Android, Total Protection brings a comprehensive collection of security features. It scans for malware on demand and also scans every new application. If you lose your phone, you can log in to Bitdefender Central and locate, lock, or wipe it. Scam Alert flags suspicious text messages, Web Protection fends off malicious and fraudulent web pages, App Lock adds a second PIN for your most sensitive apps, and Account Privacy checks known data breaches to see if your email was involved. This is an impressive Android app.
The same Apple-enforced strictures that make writing iOS malware difficult also interfere with creating security software for iOS. As with all cross-platform suites, Bitdefender’s iOS protection is relatively limited. You do get Account Privacy and the same limited VPN as on other platforms. However, there’s no antivirus component, nor does anti-theft make an appearance. Web Protection is limited. On the plus side, as long as you don’t enable Web Protection, your iOS installation doesn’t use up one of your licenses.
Bitdefender Total Security protects your Windows devices just as Bitdefender Internet Security does, which should make anyone happy. But Windows boxes are only part of the picture. Total Security adds award-winning protection for your Macs, a comprehensive suite for your Android devices, and even a modicum of security for iOS. If you need to secure and manage a household full of disparate devices, this one’s for you.
Norton’s security software can protect your devices and your local data, but it can’t reach out into the real world and protect your identity. That’s why you want Norton 360 with LifeLock Select. This suite starts with everything we like about Norton 360 Deluxe and adds identity monitoring and identity theft remediation supplied by identity pioneer (and Norton property) LifeLock.
Once you’ve set up LifeLock, Norton monitors the dark web for any sign that your identity has been compromised. It tracks possible misuse of your SSN, unexpected new accounts in your name, and anomalous financial transactions. If you lose your wallet (or have it stolen) Norton can help deal with the fallout. You get periodic credit reports, along with help freezing your credit if necessary. And if the worst happens and your identity is stolen, Norton will spend up to a million dollars on remediating the theft.
This suite costs about $45 more than Norton 360 Deluxe alone, and you still get just five security suite and five VPN licenses, though storage for your backups rises to 100GB. At the Advantage level, which costs $100 more per year, you get ten of each license type and 250GB of storage, along with enhancements to monitoring and larger payouts for losses. Spend another $100 and you reach Ultimate Plus, which maxes out monitoring options and payouts and lets you install security suite and VPN protection on every device in your household.
Are you horrified to think that some malefactor could masquerade as you, open accounts in your name, spend your money, even get arrested while posing as you? Yes, identity theft can be a nightmare. Norton 360 with LifeLock Select protects your devices against malware and such, and also functions as an early warning system so you can nip identity theft in the bud. What a combination!
You installed security on your PC, and on your Mac, and your mobile devices. But what about your partner’s devices, and all those electronic devices that so enrapture your children? You could be looking at quite an expense to get them all secured. Unless, that is, you turn to McAfee+. This generous suite lets you protect every device in your household, whether it runs Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. It even supports Chromebooks and ARM-based laptops. That protection includes use of McAfee’s VPN with no limits on bandwidth or server choices, as well as numerous security bonus features. Better still, the antivirus component aces our hands-on protection tests.
McAfee+ comes in three tiers, Premium, Advanced, and Ultimate. You get basic Dark Web monitoring of personal information at all three levels. The Advanced and Ultimate levels include full-scale identity theft monitoring and remediation, roughly parallel to Norton’s LifeLock. It doesn’t monitor quite as many different aspects of your identity, but it hits the important ones. And, like LifeLock, it comes with a guarantee. If you suffer identity theft, McAfee will spend up to a million dollars helping you to a full recovery.
If you live in a Manhattan rent-controlled apartment with your cat, your Mac, and your iPhone, this isn’t the suite for you. But if you have a house full of modern digitally active people, it can be a godsend. More than 10 devices? More than 20? Relax, they’re all covered!
What kind of security do you want for your devices? Maximum security, naturally! Trend Micro Maximum Security has you covered, with protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. All four of the antivirus testing labs we follow consider the Trend Micro antivirus engine important enough to merit examination, though it doesn’t always get the best scores. It did score very well in our hands-on tests defending against malware-hosting websites and phishing frauds.
On Windows, Trend Micro presents a wide array of features, among them: multi-layered ransomware protection; protection for online transactions; a PC Health Checkup system; a scanner for privacy lapses in social media; an advanced encryption system for your sensitive documents; and a file shredder to securely delete originals after encryption. A few of its features aren’t quite as stellar. The parental control system is limited, password management handles just the basic, and spam filtering works only with Outlook. Even so, the collection of security features is impressive.
In cross-platform suites, it’s not uncommon for Windows to get all the goodies, leaving Macs with just a basic antivirus. Not so with Trend Micro. The macOS product gets top scores from the testing labs. It scans for malware on access, on demand, and on schedule, and also scans any removable drives you mount. Other features include ransomware protection, detection of web-based threats, preventing misuse of the camera and mic, parental control, and the same social network scan as on Windows. Android users likewise get a feature-complete security suite, and it offers more protection than most on iOS devices.
On Windows, Trend Micro Maximum Security is feature-rich, but has a few rough edges. But on macOS, Android, and iOS, it outperforms the competition. It’s a great choice if you need to protect across multiple platforms, and even greater if Windows isn’t your primary platform.
Instead of the typical geometric shapes, Avast One decorates its display with color splotches, doodles, and happy people. If you like top-notch lab scores, you’ll be happy too. The labs all keep an eye on Avast, and it takes perfect scores in almost all of them. It rates near the top in our hands-on tests, too, and its full scan is faster than most. If malware interferes with Windows itself, Avast’s boot-time scan takes care of it, and it balks ransomware by banning unauthorized file changes.
Antivirus protects your data locally, while a VPN protects it in transit. Avast’s VPN isn’t the most feature-rich, but you can use it with no limits. Among other unusual security features, Avast can: protect sensitive documents from others including other accounts on the same PC; prevent use of the webcam by untrusted programs; and check to see if any of your passwords got exposed in a breach. You also get a set of performance enhancement features liberated from the limits imposed in Avast’s free edition.
Two independent labs verify that Avast offers excellent protection for your Macs. Many features carry over from Windows, among them ransomware protection, performance enhancements, web-level protection against dangerous sites, and the VPN. And Mac users get an anti-tracker feature that doesn’t appear in Windows. It’s not as comprehensive on Android, though, and offers even less on iOS.
Avast is a household name around the world, with millions relying on its free antivirus. If you’re an Avast aficionado looking to kick your security game up a notch, this suite is the way to go.
An Avira Prime subscription gets you every security tool from Avira, but that’s not all. Any time Avira comes up with a new security product, you get that too. Many of these are available separately in both free and Pro editions—Avira Prime users naturally get the Pro editions. And it supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
All the independent labs I follow include Avira, and it aces most (but not all) of their tests. In my own hands-on tests, though, it came up a bit short. On the plus side, you can use its VPN freely, with no limits on bandwidth or server choices. System Speedup Pro With HyperBoost aims to fine-tune performance, Software Updater Pro automatically finds and applies needed security patches, and Password Manager Pro adds an advanced security report that’s not available in the free edition.
Other than removing VPN limits, Avira's Pro-level macOS edition doesn’t add a lot beyond what you can get for free. Android users wind up installing three apps: Antivirus Security Pro, Phantom VPN Pro, and Password Manager Pro. On an iOS device, Avira’s scan covers Protection, Privacy, and Performance, but not malware. The password manager and VPN are among the other apps that have an iOS presence.
When Avira Prime is your suite, you don’t have to fear missing out on the latest and greatest features. Whatever marvel Avira’s developers and wizards come up with, it’s yours. Avira is the no-FOMO choice.
That blue-eyed cyborg peering at you from the main window makes it clear that ESET Internet Security leans toward high technology. For example, it offers a Device Control system that gives you granular control over what device types and devices can connect to your PC. You could block USB drives in general, but allow use of those you’ve personally vetted. This suite comes with a big set of security tools, some that are fine for all users and some that require serious tech expertise.
An impressive Network Inspector lets you see all the devices connected to your network, with an option to get notified when new devices connect. It also checks your devices for security problems such as ports open that shouldn’t be. Avast once boasted a similar feature, but no longer does so. Other ESET features include firewall, spam filter, anti-theft for laptops, webcam security, banking protection, and a limited parental control system.
As for the core antivirus protection, ESET slips a bit. Its test scores, from just two labs, range from average to excellent, but it tanked our hands on malware protection test. On the positive side, it scored well when we tested its protection against malicious and fraudulent websites. ESET’s Android edition provides a comprehensive set of security features, and the labs give it top marks. As for protecting your Macs, ESET offers antivirus, firewall, parental control, and a simplified device control. However, the labs no longer put it to the test, and it tanked one of our hands-on tests.
Quite a few features in the ESET Internet Security suite require an uncommon level of technical expertise. If you’re that uncommon person whose expertise rises to the necessary level, this suite is for you. You’ll use the Network Inspector to gain full insight into your devices, take system status snapshots with SysInspector, and build a perfect set of device control rules. Not you? Maybe look elsewhere.
I check free space before and after each security suite installation, to see how much space is needed. Results are typically in the 1GB to 2GB range. Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete, on the other hand, comes in at about 21MB—less if you don’t install the bundled LastPass Premium. And its antivirus scan takes about five minutes, where the average runs to over an hour. It definitely gets the tiny-and-speedy prize.
Webroot does wipe out known bad programs on sight, but its primary detection mode is behavioral. For any unknown program, Webroot monitors behaviors and journals all changes to the system. Irreversible actions like transmitting data from the system are forbidden to unknowns. Sooner or later, Webroot’s online HQ comes up with a verdict. If it’s guilty, Webroot terminates the program and rolls back every single change. It can even roll back ransomware. This technique is a bad fit for most organized testing systems, which assume that an antivirus will take action immediately or not at all, so Webroot doesn’t have any current lab test scores. In our own hands-on tests, though, it gets excellent scores. You won’t find parental control in this suite, nor spam filtering, and Android security has dwindled from its foreign glory.
Webroot offers 25GB of hosted storage along with a system to back up or sync your files. Its firewall focuses on program control, leaving Windows Firewall to do what it does best. You get some simple tuneup tools, plus a collection of features meant to be used by experts or (more likely) tech support.
Is your dog a teacup poodle? Do you build miniature models of your favorite cities? Or do you just like things that do their jobs quickly? Webroot is the smallest security solution around, and among the fastest.
Buying Guide: The Best Security Suites for 2022
Most security companies offer at least three levels of security products, a standalone antivirus utility, an entry-level security suite, and an advanced suite with additional features. Most entry-level suites include antivirus, firewall, antispam, and parental control. The advanced "mega-suite" typically adds a backup component and some form of system tune-up utility, and some also add password management, a VPN, or other security extras.
When a new product line comes out, we start by reviewing the antivirus. In our review of the entry-level suite, we summarize results from the antivirus review and dig deeper into the suite-specific features. And for a mega-suite review, we focus on the advanced features, referring to the entry-level suite review for features shared by both. Your choice of a basic or advanced security suite depends entirely on what features matter to you, and what you're willing to pay for them.
The suites we've rounded up here aim to protect consumers. You can use any of them in a small business, but as your company grows you may need to switch to a SaaS endpoint protection system. This type of service lets an administrator monitor and manage security for all the company's computers.
Kaspersky offers products at three levels—Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus, and Kaspersky Premium—all of them rated four stars or better in our reviews. In the past, Kaspersky has been very prominent in this roundup. The products remain highly effective, with excellent scores from the independent testing labs. So where's Kaspersky?
For years, Kaspersky has faced accusations and censure based on its Russian origins, though none of the accusations have come backed by hard evidence of malicious behavior. We at PCMag focused on the capabilities of the products, not on the brouhaha around the company. However, the current war in Ukraine has raised the stakes. Governments and third parties are cutting ties with Kaspersky. The FCC labeled Kaspersky a national security risk.
After consideration, we can no longer recommend that you purchase Kaspersky security products. We've left the reviews in place, with a warning, since they provide useful information. But at least for now, we're removing Kaspersky products from our "Best for" lists.
Over the years, the Windows Defender program built into Windows 10 has evolved into Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center. That imposing name reflects the fact that in addition to antivirus protection it manages Windows Firewall and other Windows security features. It doesn't truly qualify as a suite; it's just an antivirus that manages other Windows components. Independent antivirus test scores for Windows Defender have literally come in below zero in the past, but its scores have been steadily improving. You can still get better overall protection from the best third-party free antivirus utilities, but Windows Defender is looking better all the time. Even so, it can't replace a full-scale security suite.
Malware protection is the heart of a security suite; without an antivirus component, there's no suite. Naturally you want a suite whose antivirus is effective. When evaluating an antivirus, we look for High Score from the independent antivirus testing labs. The fact that the labs consider a product important enough to test is a vote of confidence. The very best antivirus products get high ratings from many labs.
We also perform our own hands-on testing. For one test we use a relatively static set of malware samples that's replaced once per year. We note how the antivirus reacts when we try to launch those samples and score it on how well it protects the test system. For another, we try to get very new malicious files from URLs no more than a few days old. Lab test results, our own test results, and other aspects like ease of use go into our antivirus rating.
A typical personal firewall offers protection in two main areas. On the one hand, it monitors all network traffic to prevent inappropriate access from outside the network. On the other, it keeps a watchful eye on running applications to make sure they don't misuse your network connection. The built-in Windows Firewall handles monitoring traffic but doesn't include program control. A few security suites skip the firewall component, figuring Windows Firewall already does the most essential firewall tasks.
The last thing you want is a firewall that bombards you with incomprehensible queries about online activity. Should I let KiberViyna.exe connect with IP address 212.164.137.233 on port 8080? Incoming or outgoing? Allow or Block? Once, or always? Plastic or paper? Modern firewalls cut down on these queries by automatically configuring permissions for known programs. The very best also handle unknown programs by monitoring them closely for signs of improper network activity and other suspicious behaviors.
These days, most of us hardly ever see spam messages in our inboxes because our email providers filter them out. If you don't get this service from your provider, it can be hard to even find your valid mail amid all the offers of male enhancements and magic COVID-19 cures.
If your provider doesn't squelch spam, it's smart to choose a suite that has spam filtering built in. Look for one that integrates with your email client. Client integration lets it divert spam into its own folder, and sometimes lets you train the spam filter by flagging any spam messages that get through or, worse, valid messages that wound up in the spam pile.
The best antivirus in the world can't help you if a fraudulent website tricks you into giving away your security credentials. Phishing sites masquerade as bank sites, auction sites, even online gaming sites. When you enter your username and password, though, your account is instantly compromised. Some clever frauds will even pass along your credentials to the real site, to avoid raising suspicions. You can learn to avoid phishing scams, but it's important to have backup from your security suite for those times when you're not as alert. We test phishing protection using real-world fraudulent sites scraped from the internet.
Steering users away from phishing sites helps protect privacy, but that's not the only way suites can keep your private information out of the wrong hands. Some offer specific protection for user-defined sensitive data, credit cards, bank accounts, that sort of thing. Any attempt to transmit sensitive data from your computer sets of an alarm. Some contract with third-party companies to offer credit protection. Other spyware protection techniques include foiling keyloggers, preventing misuse of your webcam, and supplying a hardened browser that lets you do online banking in an environment isolated from other processes.
We don't penalize a suite for omitting parental control. Not everyone has kids, and not every parent feels comfortable about controlling and monitoring their children's computer use. However, if parental control is present, it has to work properly.
Blocking inappropriate websites and controlling how much time the child spends on the Internet (or on the computer) are the core components of a parental control system. Some suites add advanced features like instant message monitoring, limiting games based on ESRB ratings, and tracking the child's location. Others can't even manage the basics successfully.
Local antivirus and security suites protect your data and documents, but their protection doesn't extend to your internet communications. A virtual private network, or VPN, secures your internet traffic and can also serve to hide your genuine IP address or location from snoops. Most VPN companies have just the one product, but some security suite companies have ventured into the VPN realm.
Typically, though, you don't get full VPN protection as part of your suite. Some install a free edition, or a free trial. Others offer a link that sends you online to subscribe. Norton 360, McAfee+, and Panda Dome Premium are rare exceptions, both offering a VPN without such limits.
One big reason to use a security suite rather than a collection of individual utilities is that the integrated suite can do its tasks using fewer processes and a smaller chunk of your system's resources. Or at least, that's what ought to happen. Few modern suites have an appreciable effect on performance.
For a hands-on measure of just what effect installing a suite has, we time three common system actions with and without the suite installed, averaging many runs of each test. One test measures system boot time, another moves and copies a large collection of files between drives, and a third zips and unzips that same file collection repeatedly. Suites with the very lightest touch have no measurable effect on the time required.
In a sense, having a backup of all your files is the ultimate security. Even if stray debris from an uncontrolled Chinese rocket destroys your computer, you can still restore from backup. Some companies reserve backup for their mega-suite offering, while others include it in the entry-level suite. Read our reviews carefully, as backup capabilities vary wildly. At the low end, some companies give you nothing you couldn't get for free from IDrive or another online backup service. At the high end you might get 25GB, 50GB, or even more online storage hosted by the company, along with the separate ability to make local backups.
Tuning up your system performance has no direct connection with security, unless it serves to counteract the security suite's performance drag. However, tune-up components often include privacy-related features such as clearing traces of browsing history, wiping out temporary files, and deleting lists of recently used documents. For a dedicated system-cleaning app, read our roundup of the Best Tune-Up Utilities.
No software solution can ensure that malefactors won't capture and misuse your personal information. What they can do is alert you when they find evidence that your data has been compromised, so you can head off full-scale identity theft. This kind of dark web monitoring is becoming more common.
If the worst happens and your identity is thoroughly stolen, you can get help. McAfee+ includes identity theft remediation at its two higher pricing tiers, and Norton offers suites that include LifeLock identity protection. The top-level Bitdefender Ultimate enhances Bitdefender's already-impressive security suite with identity theft remediation, as well as a no-limits VPN. All three will assign a caseworker to help you recover, and spend what it takes to remediate the problem, typically up to a million dollars.
Windows still dominates the desktop, but many households include Macs as well. Cross-platform multi-device suites give you once source of protection for all your devices. Typically you don't get as many features on macOS. In fact, most companies just offer a Mac antivirus, not a full suite. Do take advantage of the option to protect your Macs. They're not immune to malware.
Android devices are ubiquitous, and the Android platform isn't locked down the way iOS is. Even if you stay away from third-party app stores and refrain from jailbreaking your device, you can still get hit with Trojans, ransomware, and other kinds of Android malware. Smart users protect their devices with an Android antivirus. All the best Android antivirus utilities include antitheft features such as the ability to locate, lock, or wipe a lost or stolen device. Some include bonus features like blocking unwanted calls or warning when you connect to an insecure Wi-Fi network.
As for iPhones and other iOS devices, Apple's built-in security makes life tough both for malware coders and antivirus writers. Many cross-platform suites simply skip iOS; those that don't typically offer a seriously stripped-down experience. Given the platform's intrinsic security, it rarely makes sense to expend one of your licenses installing protection on an iPhone.
We've evaluated nearly 40 security suites, including entry-level suites, feature-packed mega-suites, and suites that extend protection across multiple different platforms. The products listed in this article have all received at least 3.5 stars.
In some cases, multiple products from the same company appear in the chart. For example, Bitdefender Internet Security is an Editors' Choice winner for entry-level suites, and Bitdefender Total Security earned the same honor as a security mega-suite. Norton also claimed two entries with two products earning four stars or better.
This article identifies nearly a dozen security suites we recommend, including multi-device suites, mega-suites, and entry-level suites. If you're looking for a suite that covers the basics without getting in the way, Bitdefender Internet Security is our Editors' Choice winner. In the mega-suite range, the Editors' Choice award goes to Bitdefender Total Security, with more features than you can imagine.
Norton 360 Deluxe is our Editors' Choice product for cross-platform multi-device security suite. If you're looking to combine powerful device-level protection with identity theft remediation, our Editors' Choice pick is Norton 360 With LifeLock. With a powerful, integrated suite protecting your devices, you can stay safe and calm without worrying about balancing security against performance.
State-sponsored actors in the Billbug group (aka Lotus Blossom and Thrip) have tried to compromise a digital certificate authority in an Asian country during a campaign targeting multiple government agencies.
Security researchers from Symantec have made the discovery and shared the findings in an advisory published earlier today.
“In activity documented by Symantec in 2019, we detailed how the group was using a backdoor known as Hannotog and another backdoor known as Sagerunex. Both these tools were also seen in this more latest activity,” reads the technical write-up.
The company added that all the victims in this latest Billbug campaign were based in various countries in Asia.
“Billbug is known to focus on targets in Asian countries. In at least one of the government victims, a large number of machines on the network were compromised by the attackers,” Symantec explained.
According to the security firm, the targeting of a certificate authority is notable. If the attackers could compromise it and access certificates, they could use them to sign malware with a valid certificate and help it avoid detection on victim machines. It could also use compromised certificates to intercept HTTPS traffic.
“However, although this is a possible motivation for targeting a certificate authority, Symantec has seen no evidence to suggest they were successful in compromising digital certificates,” wrote the company.
In terms of how the attacks were executed, Billbug was observed exploiting public-facing applications to gain initial access to victim networks and, in particular, dual-use tools. These included AdFind, WinRAR and Port Scanner, among others.
“Multiple files that are believed to be loaders for the Hannotog backdoor were spotted on victim machines,” Symantec wrote. “A backdoor was then deployed on the compromised system. This backdoor has multiple functionalities.”
Among its various capabilities, the backdoor could create a service for persistence, stop other services and upload encrypted data.
Symantec confirmed it had notified the certificate authority to inform them of this activity. The advisory comes two months after Interpol claimed to have dismantled an international cybercrime ring that made an estimated $47,000 from extorting dozens of victims in Asia.
Symantec Corp. in alliance with Deloitte announced today an innovative cyber threat vulnerability management service. The integrated offering will pair Symantec’s cyber intelligence and information protection technologies with Deloitte’s consulting services to help businesses address concerns around cyber security and information protection. The alliance will focus on growth markets across EMEA, including Middle East as a priority region given it is a hub of targeted cyber crime activity.
The emergence of sophisticated cyber threats has resulted in the need for managed cyber security services that can help protect organizations and their assets from round-the-clock attacks. The impact following a data breach or security threat can have major consequences, damaging a business and brand reputation overnight. The unprecedented growth in digital communications, fuelled by the rise of mobile devices has made information management top of the agenda for today’s C-level executives. The latest cyber security technologies, training, skills and management all require ongoing investment that can be expensive and a drain on business resources. Symantec and Deloitte’s alliance will enable companies to outsource their cyber security to experts in the field for both technology and consulting services.
As part of the alliance, Deloitte’s enterprise risk services will be powered by Symantec Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Managed Security Services (MSS) technologies. The services are managed by Deloitte consultants who will oversee the data lifecycle for the customer, offering a resilient incident management and response program. Threat alerts are remotely monitored and analysed via Deloitte’s Cyber Intelligence Centers, housing a full scale team of incident response experts and ethical hackers. The Cyber Intelligence Centers’ build bespoke risk profiles and in the process, effectively develop an efficient and customized security operations center for a business.
Commenting on the announcement, Amer Chebaro, Symantec’s Regional Manager for Gulf & Levant, said: “In Deloitte, we have a trusted alliance associate that can deliver against the volatile world in which they operate. The Middle East region has witnessed an upsurge in cybercrime activity, with attacks on financial and oil and gas industries making headlines across the globe and leaving some organizations exposed. The alliance enables clients to build a swift security response team that can be fully operational in hours.”
Providing greater visibility into the global cyber threat landscape offers customers peace of mind in the protection of their data. In the event of a security attack, a single point of contact to an expert is available as part of a global team offering broad-ranging crisis management capabilities.
“Current security models are minimally effective against cyber criminals, the key to addressing these risks starts by recognising that cyber threats are in fact not a technology problem but rather a business risk with strategic implications”, said Fadi Mutlak, partner in charge of Cyber Risk Services in Deloitte Middle East. He added: “Outsourcing the security operations to highly skilled consultants can allow clients to remain confident they are kept safe with best-in-class technologies and people. We are excited to work closely with Symantec and bring the two brands side-by side to deliver a unique service to the market.”
It used to be really expensive to outfit your house with a state-of-the-art security system, but nowadays almost everyone can afford to keep their home safe with the best home security cameras on the market. There are plenty of different models to choose from, including smart home security cameras that can send you alerts and stream live videos when motion is detected. There are also plenty of budget-friendly models, and some feature weatherproof design so you can use them both inside and outdoors.
With so many options on the market -- indoor, outdoor, wireless, DIY -- it can feel daunting to find a perfect match for the camera system you have in mind. But we're here to help you find the best device for the job. We've rounded up some of the best indoor and outdoor security cameras on the market right now so you can get some extra protection at a good value. And it's the perfect time to look for a new home security camera. You can find early Black Friday deals going on now.
We've tested dozens of home security cameras and condensed everything we've learned into this best home security camera list. Below, you'll find the best home security camera for your home in every major subcategory, from smart doorbells to the models that work well with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Siri voice commands. Some are fairly simple, with a motion sensor that sends a push notification to your smartphone when they detect movement, while others come with features such as professional monitoring and cloud storage that prevent you from having to sift through hours of footage.
If you're looking for the best home security camera system, get ready to dive in. We'll update this best home security camera list periodically.
Setup
Moveable, outdoor/indoor
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud, local storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Both
Field of View
130 degrees
Wyze disappointed some of its customers in 2021 when its ridiculously cheap cameras got slightly less ridiculously cheap. But at $36, the Wyze Cam, which we gave an 8.5 review score, remains a great budget security camera -- and a great camera, period.
The Wi-Fi security camera features HD video quality live streaming, motion detection, night vision, a decent app and, best of all, 14 days of free motion-based cloud storage. This Wyze security camera also features a built-in microSD card slot if you want local video storage rather than relying solely on its cloud service (you have to buy the microSD card separately).
This home security camera works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands and features a motion detection zone and the ability to listen for and alert you to special frequencies, like smoke alarms. If you want a complete home security system, there are other cameras that you can buy from Wyze and connect into the grid.
You're receiving price alerts for Wyze Cam v3 (2020)
Setup
Moveable, indoor
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud, local storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Both
Field of View
120 degrees
Wyze continues to dominate the affordable camera market, thanks not only to their Wyze Cam, but also to this panning, tilting indoor camera. For $50, this thing offers 1080p resolution, two-way talk, an alarm and the ability to monitor 360 degrees horizontally. Plus it brings free cloud storage and alerts and super-cheap smarts. I was so impressed by the device, I gave it a 9.2 review score in 2021. If you want a device that can cover a large indoor space effectively -- or if you're looking for a pet cam or nanny cam to monitor moving targets while you're away -- this is it.
You're receiving price alerts for Wyze Cam Pan v2
Setup
Hardwired, outdoor/indoor
Resolution
1536 x 1536 (2K)
Storage
Cloud storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Both
Field of View
180 degrees
The $115 Arlo Video Doorbell, which we gave a review score of 8.5, has a lot going for it. While 115 bucks isn't cheap, it's more affordable than most of the other smart buzzers I've tested. As a doorbell camera, it's built to be an outdoor camera, so you don't have to ever worry about the elements. Similar to the Arlo Pro 3 outdoor security camera, the Arlo Video Doorbell has arm/disarm modes, two-way audio, motion zones and an integrated siren.
The security camera system also has a competitive cloud storage subscription plan, starting at $3 per month. If you pay for cloud storage, you get access to advanced features like custom person, animal, vehicle and package detection for your outdoor camera video surveillance.
You're receiving price alerts for Arlo Video Doorbell
Setup
Moveable, outdoor/indoor
Resolution
2560 x 1440 (2K)
Storage
Cloud storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Both
Field of View
160 degrees
Arlo's latest Pro series camera, which we gave an 8.5 review score and Editor's Choice award, is a fantastic home security camera with features to spare. It boasts 2K resolution, a 160-degree field of view, two-way talk, full-color night vision, a built-in siren and spotlight, compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit -- the list goes on.
This powerhouse of a camera lists for only $160 -- pricier than super-affordable options like Wyze, but easily worth the premium. For $3 per month, you can also get smart alerts, motion zones, 30 days of event history and a few other cool features. In short, the Arlo Pro 4 is a fantastic security camera for most people.
You're receiving price alerts for Arlo Pro 4 (White, 1 Camera)
Setup
Hardwired, indoor
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Google Assistant
Field of View
135 degrees
Google's existing -- and smartest -- Nest Cam is a specifically indoor and wired gadget that offers a slew of great features in a pretty package. The wired camera comes in four unique colors too, because who doesn't love a light pink security camera? This "wired" designation separates it from the Nest Cam (Battery), a heftier Google Nest model designed for indoor or outdoor use, that also launched in 2021. Armed with the latest software features like object identification, activity zones, and Google Home app viewing and support, this new Google Nest device has both beauty and brains -- and that's why we gave it an 8.4 review score.
The $100 Google Nest Cam (Wired) is not only the most affordable Nest camera yet, but it's also our favorite from the brand. Thanks to the easy setup, the attractive design and, most importantly, the free smart features, it takes the top spot of all Google Assistant cameras.
While Wyze currently offers better options for cloud storage and cheaper price tags, the Nest Cam (Wired) indoor security camera is one of the best home security cameras on the market for Google Assistant loyalists.
You're receiving price alerts for Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired)
Our picks | Wyze Cam (2020) | Wyze Cam Pan v2 | Arlo Video Doorbell | Arlo Pro 4 | Nest Cam |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $36 | $50 | $124 | $200 | $100 |
Resolution | 1080p | 1080p | 1,536 x1,536 | 2K | 1080p |
Field of View | 130 degrees | 120 degrees | 180 degrees | 160 degrees | 135 degrees |
Setup | Movable, indoor/outdoor | Movable, indoor only | Wired, outdoor | Wireless, indoor/outdoor | Wired, indoor only |
Extra Features | Live streaming, motion detection, night vision, weather resistance, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Live streaming, two-way talk, sound and motion alerts, color night vision, panning and tilting functions | Live streaming, arm/disarm modes, two-way talk, motion zones, night vision and an integrated siren. | Live streaming, two-way talk, night vision, weather resistance | Two-way talk, night vision, 4 colors, object identification, activity zones, and integration with Google Assistant |
Review Score | 8.5 | 9.2 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
Hands-on testing is core to our evaluation of any home security products. When it comes to security cameras, we start by identifying new and test-worthy products from established manufacturers -- cameras you'd be most likely to come across when shopping online or at your local hardware or electronics stores. When these products hit the market, or sometimes even earlier, we get our hands on them and thoroughly test them in a real-home environment over the course of a week.
We begin testing by setting the camera up according to the included and/or app instructions, making note of any difficulties encountered along the way. Once the camera is ready to roll, we evaluate all features, paying close attention to resolution, night vision, notification latency, local or cloud storage and compatibility with smart home ecosystems like Google, Alexa and Apple HomeKit.
Such evaluations can take less than a day, but we monitor the camera over the course of a week for a more complete look at the camera's performance day and night. And if that general use doesn't give us all the data we'd like to see, we'll create a mock situation -- like staging a porch pirate scenario -- to see how quickly and accurately the camera and app send notifications and record the event.
If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security cameras and video doorbells.
There's a lot to consider when purchasing a home security camera because it's a massive, growing category that covers everything from professional firms like ADT and Vivint to standalone DIY devices like cameras, sensors and locks from brands like Wyze and Arlo. The first decision you'll need to make is whether you're looking for a professionally installed system or a DIY security system.
The next decision you'll have to make involves the device specs and features. Do you want livestreaming? Is two-way talk a priority? What about night vision? Modern home security cameras are loaded with neat extra features: Motion detection, professional monitoring, push notifications, cloud video storage, weather resistance, sound and motion alerts and integration with third-party devices. Narrowing down which smarts you want your device to have will help you make a final decision.
A lot of the terminology when talking about security and surveillance cameras can be hard to track, not least because people use the terms informally and interchangeably all the time. Basically, surveillance cameras are usually used with CCTV, in businesses and where there is continuous recording. They are meant to record acts as they happen, so they can be investigated later. Home security cameras, by contrast, are often motion-triggered and connected to cloud storage. Often, people install them primarily to deter would-be burglars.
Many wireless cameras in 2022 cannot fully function without an internet connection. Some cameras -- especially those that are part of a larger home security system -- use alternative radio protocols to transfer information. Those cameras will require a separate hub. Other cameras, if they have local storage, will be able to record and store footage -- on a microSD card, for example -- even if the internet is out. All that said, most wireless cameras will require Wi-Fi to use all their features as intended.
Cameras can really strengthen your home's security, but they can also degrade its privacy. Hackers have made headlines by spying on people or using two-way talk features with children in their rooms. Simply put, yes, your security cameras can be hacked, but it depends how vulnerable your devices really are. Major professionally monitored security systems -- and even individually sold cameras from reputable developers like Google Nest and Wyze -- include high-end encryption, which scrambles messages within a system and grants access through keys. In layman's terms this means as long as you stay current with app and device updates, you should have little to fear of being hacked via software or firmware vulnerabilities.
Will you be able to tell if a security camera is actively recording you? It depends, too. Most security cameras will include a small light that will turn on when it's recording, though that may not be a reliable indicator if the camera has been hacked. Others, like Arlo's indoor camera, include design features that make it totally clear when the camera is watching and when it's not. In general, though, devices with physical shields are always a solid option if you're thinking about maintaining your privacy.
Home security cameras can vary widely in price, ranging anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand. It depends on the services, model, features or video storage you want for your camera. With this in mind, you can expect to spend anywhere from $30 to $500 for a home security camera.
Home security cameras don't have to be expensive, though. All of the best home security cameras CNET tested fall between the range of $38 and just under $200. Many DIY options, like Arlo and Wyze, offer a rich set of features, dependable design and a competitive subscription service, but with an affordable price that can be as cheap as $30. While these are on the lower end of home security camera prices, you can certainly find a camera that meets your needs for under $200.
When you're installing wireless home security cameras, keep in mind that the smart home camera you buy (and your security system as a whole) will only be as good as the quality of your Wi-Fi connection at the location where you plan to install it. So check your Wi-Fi speed before you drill holes in the walls or otherwise mess up your door frame, brick or siding for your home security camera. If the connection is spotty on your wireless security camera, you'll notice significant lag times, pixelation in the live feed and other Wi-Fi delays that make the video quality poor and home security cameras a pain to use.
With a good Wi-Fi connection, you should be in good shape to use your indoor home security camera or outdoor home security camera without any major camera system issues and get clear footage every time. Still have questions? Take a look at my home security camera buying guide.