Top gadgets for the security and privacy conscious (or the super paranoid!)
Paranoid that "they" are watching your every move? Or maybe you're just security-conscious and like to maintain a high level of privacy? No matter what your reason for being careful with your cyber life, here are gadgets to help you stay safe and secure.
Must read: Weird and super useful gadgets that make great gifts
Mic-Lock microphone blocker
Mic-Lock microphone blocker
- See it now: Amazon
Plug this into any 3.5mm microphone/headphone port on a laptop, phone, or tablet to trick your device into thinking that a microphone is connected, thus blocking any audio recording.
Price: $6.99
Lindy USB port locks
Lindy USB port locks
Lock USB ports to prevent data theft or unauthorized devices from being plugged into PCs or laptops. Quick and simple to use, and offers a basic level of security.
Price: Starting at $35
Webcam covers
Webcam covers
- See it now: Amazon
Just slide the little plastic cover across the camera for peace of mind. Great for webcams or cameras on devices such as smart TVs. It offers a physical way to disable the webcam.
Price: $8.99
Faraday fabric for EMI/RFID shielding
Faraday fabric for EMI/RFID shielding
- See it now: Amazon
Build your own personal Faraday cage, or create shielded pouches for your devices for those times when you want to take them "off the grid." Great for creating practical "high-tech" crafts, too.
Price: Starting at $16.99
Panasonic call blocker
Panasonic call blocker
- See it now: Amazon
Put a stop to time-wasting calls on your landline (yes, some people still have them!), and only allow through calls that you want. A good way to make your landline usable again, and have it working for you.
Price: $99.95
Anti-Spy RF scanner
Anti-Spy RF scanner
- See it now: Amazon
Sweep your home or office for spy cameras or bugs with this handy RF scanner. Takes some time to get good at using it -- it's fun to practice -- but once you're used to it, you can sweep a room in a matter of moments.
Price: $55.88
PortaPowUSB data blocker
PortaPowUSB data blocker
- See it now: Amazon
If you must use public USB charging points, use a USB condom to protect your device from malware and unauthorized access. Just plug it in and you're protected!
Price: $12.49
Tableau forensic bridge kit
Tableau forensic bridge kit
Get deep into forensic analysis of hard drives and USB devices with this professional kit. With this kit, you can use write blocking to prevent unauthorized writing to a device, and use imaging software to crack passwords.
Price: Starting at $399
StarTech 1:5 USB flash drive duplicator and eraser
StarTech 1:5 USB flash drive duplicator and eraser
- See it now: Amazon
If you have a lot of flash drives to wipe, this is the tool to use. It offers several different wiping protocols, depending on how secure a wipe you want. It can also be used to duplicate flash drives, which is handy if you give them out as promotional handouts.
Price: $399.99
Lowell Destruct hard drive eraser
Lowell Destruct hard drive eraser
- See it now: Amazon
Plug this into a PC, boot the PC up off the USB drive, and it will safely and securely wipe the data off it. It's quick, easy to use, and very reliable.
Price: $23.99
StarTech 4-bay driver eraser
StarTech 4-bay drive eraser
- See it now: Amazon
Dedicating a PC to wiping hard drives is a waste of resources. This single unit can wipe up to four drives simultaneously, and it offers several different wiping methods, depending on how "gone" you want the data to be.
Price: $500
Apricorn Aegis Padlock Fortress FIPS USB 3.0 hard drive
Apricorn Aegis Padlock Fortress FIPS USB 3.0 hard drive
- See it now: Amazon
Not only do Apricorn external hard drives offer a high level of data security, but they also look so darn cool in use. The keypad offers a convenient, hardware-based way to secure your data, and it has features such as brute-force protection, and anti-tamper measures prevents unauthorized access to your data.
Price: $259.40 for 2TB storage