VPNs & Cyber Security

When your income depends on accounts, files and client trust, security stops being optional. This section covers the protections that actually matter for a one-person business — what's worth paying for, what's free, and what threats realistically target people like you.

A small business owner working late at a laptop running a security dashboard, with a hardware security key on the desk — Small security habits protect the accounts an online business depends on.

Editor’s pick · Recommended starting point

Do You Need a VPN? What It Actually Protects

What a VPN actually protects, what it doesn't, and when it's genuinely worth paying for.

Start with this guide

All guides

Guides published in this topic

Essential PC Protection for Your Small Online Business
Discover how dedicated cybersecurity software can safeguard your business income, accounts, and client trust without requiring a tech team.
9 min read
Business VPN for Travel: Protect Data on Public Wi-Fi
Worried about online security when working on the go? Learn how a VPN protects your business accounts, client data, and personal privacy from Wi-Fi risks.
4 min read
Website Security: Protect Your Site Without a Tech Team
The basics that keep a small business website safe — updates, access control, HTTPS, and knowing what to do if it's compromised.
3 min read
Small Business Scams: The Tricks That Cost Owners Most
The most common scams aimed at freelancers, sellers and small site owners — how each one works and how to shut it down.
3 min read
Website Backups: The 3-2-1 Rule That Saves Your Data
A simple backup routine for a one-person business — what to back up, where, how often, and why you must test it.
3 min read
Password Managers: The Easiest Security Upgrade
Why reused passwords are the biggest risk to your online business, and how a password manager fixes it in an afternoon.
3 min read
Do You Need a VPN? What It Actually Protects
What a VPN actually protects, what it doesn't, and when it's genuinely worth paying for.
3 min read
Do You Need a VPN? What It Actually Protects
What a VPN actually protects, what it doesn't, and when it's genuinely worth paying for.
3 min read
Password Managers: The Easiest Security Upgrade
Why reused passwords are the biggest risk to your online business, and how a password manager fixes it in an afternoon.
3 min read
Website Backups: The 3-2-1 Rule That Saves Your Data
A simple backup routine for a one-person business — what to back up, where, how often, and why you must test it.
3 min read
Small Business Scams: The Tricks That Cost Owners Most
The most common scams aimed at freelancers, sellers and small site owners — how each one works and how to shut it down.
3 min read
Website Security: Protect Your Site Without a Tech Team
The basics that keep a small business website safe — updates, access control, HTTPS, and knowing what to do if it's compromised.
3 min read

Recommended from Akacen

Tools we recommend in this section

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Read more about who publishes this on the publisher profile.

NordVPN
Encrypts your connection on public Wi-Fi so logins to your site, bank and email aren't exposed.
Try NordVPN
1Password
Generates and stores a different strong password for every account, which is the single biggest security upgrade you can make.
Try 1Password
Hostinger
Cheap, reliable hosting with domains included, so your first site and its address live in one place.
Try Hostinger

Top 3 in this niche, compared

Our editorial shortlist for security, ordered by how often it is the right first choice for a beginner. This is our own ranking, not a scored test — check current pricing and availability on each provider’s own site.

1
CrowdStrikeBest overallDesktop tool
Endpoint protection for teams that hold customer data.
Who it is for: protecting devices and passwords. Not for: anyone who will not keep software updated.
Position 1 of 3 in our shortlist · best for protecting devices and passwords
Visit CrowdStrike
2
WizRunner-upDesktop tool
Cloud security visibility as your stack grows past one server.
Who it is for: protecting devices and passwords. Not for: anyone who will not keep software updated.
Position 2 of 3 in our shortlist · best for protecting devices and passwords
Visit Wiz
3
A Cloud GuruBest for a tight budgetDesktop tool
Cloud certification training with hands-on labs.
Who it is for: learning a skill in a structured way. Not for: anyone who will not finish the course.
Position 3 of 3 in our shortlist · best for learning a skill in a structured way
Visit A Cloud Guru

CrowdStrike vs Wiz

The two choices most people in security end up deciding between.

CrowdStrike

Type:: Desktop tool
Best for:: protecting devices and passwords
Not for:: anyone who will not keep software updated
Why we list it:: Endpoint protection for teams that hold customer data.

Wiz

Type:: Desktop tool
Best for:: protecting devices and passwords
Not for:: anyone who will not keep software updated
Why we list it:: Cloud security visibility as your stack grows past one server.

Expand full specs

Side-by-side comparison based on our editorial notes.
Compare	CrowdStrike	Wiz
Type	Desktop tool	Desktop tool
Best for	protecting devices and passwords	protecting devices and passwords
Not for	anyone who will not keep software updated	anyone who will not keep software updated
Why we list it	Endpoint protection for teams that hold customer data.	Cloud security visibility as your stack grows past one server.

When CrowdStrike is the better choice

Choose CrowdStrike when your main job is protecting devices and passwords. Skip it if you are anyone who will not keep software updated.

When Wiz is the better choice

Wiz makes more sense when the priority is protecting devices and passwords. It is not the right pick for anyone who will not keep software updated.

Alternatives to CrowdStrike

Whizlabs
Practice exams before you pay for a certification sitting.
Visit site
Private Internet Access
A VPN worth having if you work from cafés, hotels or shared wifi.
Visit site
Proton
A VPN worth having if you work from cafés, hotels or shared wifi.
Visit site

Some links here are partner links — if you sign up we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we review and recommend.

Partner tools and apps for this topic

A short, honest shortlist: desktop tools you set up once, and phone apps you can use on the move. We keep the list small on purpose.

Some links below are partner links — if you sign up we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How we review and recommend.

NordVPNDesktop tool
Encrypt your connection on shared and public networks.
Best for
keeping personal data out of broker lists
Not for
anyone unwilling to keep requests going over time
Visit NordVPN
ExpressVPNDesktop tool
Reliable speeds when you work from hotels and cafés.
Best for
keeping personal data out of broker lists
Not for
anyone unwilling to keep requests going over time
Visit ExpressVPN
SurfsharkDesktop tool
Unlimited devices on one plan, useful for a household.
Best for
keeping personal data out of broker lists
Not for
anyone unwilling to keep requests going over time
Visit Surfshark
IPVanishPhone app
A VPN worth having if you work from cafés, hotels or shared wifi.
Best for
keeping personal data out of broker lists
Not for
anyone unwilling to keep requests going over time
Visit IPVanish