What Is Device & Account Security?

Device and account security covers the software-level protections on your phone, computer, and online accounts — strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and antivirus protection. It’s the layer that decides what happens after someone tries to get into your accounts or devices, not before.

Why It Matters

Passwords remain the most common way accounts get broken into, and reused passwords are the reason a single breach can cascade into dozens of compromised accounts. Two-factor authentication and a password manager are the two highest-impact changes most people can make, and both take less than an hour to set up.

What We Cover

• Why reusing passwords is riskier than most people realize
• Two-factor authentication — what it is and how to turn it on everywhere that matters
• Password manager comparisons, once our testing is complete
• What antivirus software actually protects against in 2026

Device security is the natural next step after Data & File Security (backup protects your files; device security protects the accounts and software around them) and connects to Identity Protection (compromised accounts are a leading cause of identity theft).

We haven’t yet published independently tested product recommendations for this category — when we do, they’ll appear here rather than being forced in before the testing is done.

Start With Our Beginner’s Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a password manager?

Yes, more than almost any other single tool. A password manager makes it practical to use a different, strong password for every account — something no one can realistically do from memory. It removes the single biggest reason accounts get breached in cascading fashion.

Is SMS-based two-factor authentication good enough?

It’s much better than no two-factor authentication at all, but an authenticator app or hardware key is stronger — SMS codes can be intercepted through SIM-swapping attacks, which are rare but not impossible.

Do I need antivirus software if I’m careful online?

Being careful reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it — attacks like drive-by downloads and malicious ads don’t require you to make a mistake. Built-in protections (like Windows Defender) cover a meaningful baseline for many users; whether you need more depends on your specific risk profile.