Online Security & Privacy Tools

The 5 Best Free Identity Theft Protection: Is It Worth It in 2026?

Identity theft is a growing concern in our increasingly digital world, where sensitive information is often just a click away from falling into the wrong hands. Many companies offer solid protection plans, but there are also effective steps you can take on your own to safeguard your identity without spending a dime, such as using...

By Mindy Born — 03 Oct'24 Last Updated: 21 May'25
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz

Where Kids Are Most (and Least) Safe Online: State by State Rankings Revealed

With online predators, cyberbullying, and weak legal protections still rampant, not every U.S. state is equally safe for children using the internet. Our nationwide ranking exposes the best—and worst—states for kids’ online safety in 2024, based on crime data, cyberbullying rates, mental health access, and legislation. We gathered data for each U.S. state in four...

By Kit Copson — 12 Sep'24 Last Updated: 14 Jul'25
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski

What Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)? Meaning, Types and Examples in 2026

We take online security seriously by using the best VPN services and best password manager tools to protect our data. However, how can we ensure safe access to our online accounts and avoid being hacked by malicious third parties? That’s where two-factor authentication comes in — but what is 2FA, and how does it verify...

By Kate Hawkins — 10 Sep'24 Last Updated: 26 Apr'25
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz

Is My Phone Being Tracked: Can Someone Track My Phone If My Location Is Off? 2026 Guide

You might have asked yourself, “Can someone track my phone if my location is off?” The short answer is “yes.” Even when you turn off your location on your Android device or iOS phone, third parties can track your phone using other means, such as GPS trackers, the nearest cell tower, cell-site simulators, public WiFi...

By Wisdom Sablah — 04 Sep'24 Last Updated: 05 Feb'26
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz

Social Security Data Breach: What to Do, How to Check, How to Protect Yourself in 2026

In a way, the data compromised in the National Public Data breach was stolen twice: first by the data broker itself — which allegedly scraped it from protected sources without its subjects’ permission — and then a second time by the hacker or hackers known as SXUL. We’ll explain how to tell if this social...

By Samuel Chapman — 02 Sep'24 Last Updated: 31 Jan'26
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski

How to Remove Your Data From People-finder Sites 2026: Protecting Your Personal Info Online

If you don’t want your personal data to be sold to third-party companies without your approval, you should remove yourself from data collection sites immediately. It may sound difficult and time-consuming, but there are tools to make it easier.

By Andrej Hadji-Vasilev — 01 Sep'24 Last Updated: 28 Jan'26
Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska

How to Block My Phone From Being Tracked in 2026: Untap iPhone and Android Devices

Ideally, your smartphone’s data should be accessible only to you. However, this data is so valuable that some third parties are willing to use nefarious means to access it. This guide will help you safeguard your privacy and learn how to block your phone from being tracked. To get started, though, you should use one...

By Samson Kiarie — 12 Aug'24 Last Updated: 04 Mar'26
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz

India’s VPN Data Law & VPN Ban: Are VPNs Safe and Legal in 2026?

The 2022 VPN data law in India mandates that VPN providers keep logs of all their customers. Many VPNs claim they will not follow the directive and are adopting a "wait and see" approach. So, are VPNs safe to use in India? We’ll examine the details of this new law.

By Wisdom Sablah — 11 Aug'24 Last Updated: 26 Feb'26
Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu

What Is the PRISM Program? NSA, Edward Snowden and Government Surveillance in 2026

Cloudwards.net takes a closer look at the PRISM revelations made back in 2013, when Edward Snowden blew the whistle on spying by the NSA and other intelligence agencies on the Internet traffic of regular citizens.

By Kate Hawkins — 31 Jul'24 Last Updated: 16 May'25
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz

iPhone Security Tips in 2026: Secure Your iPhone From Hackers 

Apple’s iOS is renowned for its security, so it’s easy to believe that you don’t have to make any changes to protect your iPhone. However, we’ve found plenty of iPhone security tips to protect your device, including regularly updating your software, using in-built privacy features and utilizing software like a high-quality VPN. To avoid the...

By Kate Hawkins — 10 Jul'24 Last Updated: 30 Jan'26
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski