10 Purchases to Safeguard Your Identity and Information

With a few smart purchases, you can shield your identity, secure your devices, and sleep a little easier at night. Here are my top 10 picks—each one’s a game-changer worth exploring.

In today’s world, protecting your personal info isn’t just for tech wizards—it’s something we all need to think about. Hackers, scammers, and even nosy neighbors can find ways to snoop on your life, whether it’s online or right in your mailbox. The good news? You don’t need to be an IT expert to lock things down. With a few smart purchases, you can shield your identity, secure your devices, and sleep a little easier at night. Here are my top 10 picks—each one’s a game-changer worth exploring.

1. Identity Theft Protection Service

Imagine getting a text that someone just opened a credit card in your name—scary, right? An identity theft protection service watches your back, scanning for weird activity tied to your Social Security number or bank accounts. It’s like a personal bodyguard for your identity, often with added perks like recovery help if things go south.

My Pick: NordProtect (affiliate link)

2. Password Manager

If your passwords are “1234” or the same one you’ve used since 2010, you’re practically inviting trouble. A password manager creates rock-solid passwords for every site, stores them safely, and fills them in for you—no memorizing required. It’s a small investment for big peace of mind. Learn more here.

My Pick: NordPass (affiliate link)

3. VPN Subscription

Ever used Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport? Without a VPN, your browsing could be an open book to anyone nearby. A Virtual Private Network encrypts your internet, keeping your activity private—even from your own internet provider. I explain how VPNs work and their many benefits here.

My Pick: NordVPN (affiliate link)

Read my article about the importance of VPNs here.

4. Paper Shredder

Old bills, bank statements, or junk mail with your name on it can be gold for identity thieves rifling through your trash. A paper shredder turns those papers into confetti, stopping dumpster divers in their tracks. It’s a one-time buy that pays off for a long, long time. Although it's low-tech, this might be one of your most important purchases.

Cross cut and micro cut paper shredders on Amazon (affiliate link)

Why cross cut or micro cut? Crosscut and microcut paper shredders are superior because they provide significantly higher levels of security and confidentiality compared to traditional strip-cut shredders. Crosscut shredders slice documents into small, diamond-shaped pieces, making it extremely difficult for anyone to reconstruct sensitive information. Microcut shredders take security even further by turning paper into confetti-like particles, offering protection suitable for highly confidential documents, including financial records and personal data. Additionally, both crosscut and microcut shredders reduce paper volume more efficiently, requiring fewer bag changes and maximizing waste bin capacity, making them not only more secure but also more practical and efficient.

5. RFID-Blocking Wallet or Sleeve

Did you know some credit cards and IDs can be scanned wirelessly by thieves brushing past you? An RFID-blocking wallet or sleeve puts up a shield, keeping your cards safe from sneaky “skimmers.” It’s a cheap fix for a high-tech problem and easy to deploy.

RFID Wallets for Men on Amazon (affiliate link)

RFID Wallets for Women on Amazon (affiliate link)

6. Antivirus Software

Viruses and malware aren’t just annoyances—they can steal your login info or lock your files for ransom. Good antivirus software runs quietly in the background, catching threats before they strike. Want to know which ones are worth your money? Here is a detailed article exploring this technology.

My Picks (Free and Paid):

Avast: Avast has a long-standing reputation in the antivirus industry. Avast offers award-winning antivirus protection at no cost, including features like real-time malware protection, a basic firewall, and a bandwidth-limited VPN. Independent testing labs have consistently rated it highly for its protective capabilities.

AVG AntiVirus: AVG provides robust protection against malware and malicious websites. It shares the same antivirus engine as Avast, ensuring reliable defense against threats. The user interface is straightforward, making it suitable for users seeking effective yet uncomplicated protection.

My Picks (Paid):

Bitdefender Total Security: Bitdefender is renowned for its high detection rates and minimal impact on system performance. The Total Security package includes features like Safepay banking protection, multi-layered anti-ransomware, and a VPN. It's compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices.

Norton 360 Deluxe: Norton offers comprehensive malware and identity protection. The 360 Deluxe package includes LifeLock identity protection services, strong malware defense, browser security, parental controls, and a password manager. Norton also provides a 60-day money-back guarantee and a Virus Protection Promise for subscribers enrolled in auto-renewal.

McAfee Total Protection: Designed for multi-device households, McAfee Total Protection offers protection for up to five devices under a single subscription. It provides robust virus protection and is compatible with Android and iOS devices, making it suitable for families seeking comprehensive security across various platforms.

7. Privacy-Focused Browser

Every click you make online can be tracked—unless you use a browser built to fight back. Privacy-focused options block ads, trackers, and creepy scripts that follow you around. Best part? They’re often free. Here are some of my favorites:

Top Pick: Brave

Safari (with privacy settings enabled)

DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser

8. Encrypted External Hard Drive

Cloud storage is handy, but it’s not hack-proof. An encrypted external hard drive keeps your sensitive files—like tax docs or family photos—offline and locked with a password only you know. It’s easier than it sounds, and it provides a nice back-up.

My Picks:

Apricorn Aegis Padlock 3.0 2 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive, Black (A25-3PL256-2000) (affiliate link)

Aegis Padlock DT 4TB USB 3.0/USB 2.0 External Hard Drive, Black (affiliate link)

Apricorn 5TB Aegis Fortress L3- FIPS Level 3 Validated USB 3.0 Hardware Encrypted Portable Drive (AFL3-5TB) (affiliate link)

Why Apricorn? Apricorn is trusted in the field of data security because of its unwavering commitment to privacy, rigorous security standards, and transparent manufacturing practices. Headquartered in Poway, California, Apricorn designs and assembles its critical security components within the United States, sourcing parts only from countries in good standing with U.S. trade agreements. Their hardware-encrypted drives feature military-grade AES-XTS 256-bit encryption, ensuring top-tier data protection without relying on third-party software. Apricorn's focus on hardware-based security, combined with their no-backdoor policy, guarantees that sensitive information remains private, making them a preferred choice for government agencies, defense contractors, and security-conscious enterprises worldwide.

9. Disposable Email Service

Signing up for a free trial or random website? Don’t give them your real email. A disposable email service hands out temporary addresses, keeping your inbox free of spam and your identity a little more hidden.

My Picks:

Temp Mail – Free with no registration required. It provides temporary email addresses that expire automatically.

EmailOnDeck – Free and straightforward, primarily for quick sign-ups and verifications.

Maildrop – Free with built-in spam protection. Inboxes are deleted after 24 hours of inactivity.

10-Minute Mail – Free for 10 minutes (extendable if needed). Great for one-time verifications.

YOPmail – Free and doesn’t require registration. Emails are stored for eight days.

10. Credit Freeze

If a thief gets your info, they could open loans or cards in your name—unless your credit’s frozen. This free service locks your credit file, stopping fraud before it starts. It’s a must-do that takes minutes. Also, freezing your credit does not stop you from using your existing credit cards. It only blocks new credit inquiries, preventing identity thieves from opening new accounts.

Here’s how to do it:

Contact All Three Major Credit Bureaus
To fully protect yourself, you need to place a credit freeze with each of the three major credit bureaus:

Provide Necessary Information
Be ready to provide your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, and other personal details to verify your identity.

Receive a PIN or Password
Each bureau will give you a PIN or password. Keep these safe— you’ll need them to lift or remove the freeze.

Check Your Credit Reports
Even with a freeze in place, it’s wise to regularly check your credit reports for any unauthorized activity. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each bureau once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Lifting or Removing the Freeze
If you need to apply for credit or a loan, you can temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze using the PIN or password. This can be done online or by contacting the credit bureaus directly.

Why These Matter

These 10 tools tackle the big risks—online hacks, physical theft, and everything in between. Some are one-time buys, others are subscriptions, but all are simple enough for anyone to use. Over the next few weeks, I’ll drop a full article on each, packed with tips, setups, and the best deals I’ve found (yes, with links to trusted products I recommend). Protecting your identity doesn’t have to be hard—let’s make it easy together. Which one are you most excited to try? Let me know below!

A Quick Note on Affiliate Links: Some links in this post and on this site, like those to NordVPN, Amazon, or other handy tools I recommend, are affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a little thank-you from these companies for sharing the love, and it helps me keep this blog going with fresh content for you all. Rest assured, I only recommend stuff I genuinely trust—like NordVPN, which I’ve relied on for years, or Amazon finds that make my IT adventures easier. My opinions are always my own, and I’m here to help with resources, tools, and reviews, and recommendations, not just to sell you something. Thanks for supporting this endeavor!

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