Software

Security

For Computers and digital Identity


Antivirus: Mac, Windows | Password Safe: Mac, Windows, all Systems

I can no longer recommend the last two commercial products I used and have cancelled my subscriptions (first Trend Micro, then Avast).
I also cannot recommend the annual subscription “Avira Prime” (cancelled).

Antivirus

Windows

Microsoft's Defender is now as good as, or in some cases better than, its external competitors. Therefore, there is no need for an external solution.

Mac

Apple protects their computers with several techniques.
No need for an external solution.

Independent Security Experts

I recommend to read the tests of the provider for services in the field of IT security and anti-virus research AV‑Test GmbH and you should also read the tests of the provider AV-Comparatives.

Not only the Test Result counts

The test instances mentioned above only check the quality of the software! Other things do not influence the test result.
For me it is not only the test result that counts, but also where the company is located and how it deals with customers (data).
Better read negative reviews from other customers before you sign up for a subscription!

Password Safe

The security of your passwords stands and falls with the quality of the master password used!

Mac

Strongbox Password Safe (Pro)

Strongbox Password Safe is an app that lets you keep all your passwords safe and secure with a single master password. Strongbox is a freemium app and offers a very good range of services as a permanently free basic version and extended options as a pro version.

Touch ID/Face ID or use your Apple Watch to unlock your databases for the ultimate in convenience  (feature that can be switched off).

Standards compliant, cross platform file format. You own your secrets. Uses the time tested “Password Safe” and “KeePass” File Formats so you can import any existing database you have and export to any other client you need.

Secure, protected by industrial strength Cryptography

Search your entire set of passwords and secrets instantly and powerfully, with deep search. Auto generate secure passwords with configurable generation algorithms.

Developer: Mark McGuill
Basic version: for free, w/o ads!
Universal App for iOS, iPadOS and macOS

Windows

KeePass Password Safe

KeePass is a free/open-source password manager or safe which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key-disk. So you only have to remember one single master password or insert the key-disk to unlock the whole database. The databases are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES-256 and Twofish).
Apart from the installable Windows version, there is a portable version that leaves no traces on the host system.

You can use KeePass on your USB stick, iPod, external hard drive or even CD, on any PC and without leaving any personal information behind.

Password Safe for all Systems

Bitwarden Password Manager

Bitwarden is a platform-independent open source solution.
For private individuals it is free of charge (but without TOTP).

Booked the annual subscription for 10 USD because I want to support Bitwarden and also thought it is required to protect the login with 2FA.

27.08.2023: Register a second Bitwarden account as a trial. This time, however, without an annual subscription, the completely free version. Find out that this free Bitwarden account can also be secured with 2FA!

The paid version offers me no added value, as I use the separate authenticator app Aegis Authenticator for TOTP for security reasons. That is why I have already cancelled the annual subscription.

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