Do I need this?
Choose a product and answer a few questions. The assessment shows when it is useful, what you can do for free and what to check before buying.
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A service with a monthly fee that routes your traffic through another company's server.
You probably do not need this
You probably do not need this
HTTPS protects website content between your browser and the site. A VPN does not stop scams, password abuse or malware on your device.
Do this instead
Heed browser connection warnings and check the site address before signing in or paying.
When this is useful
When you need work access, want to limit what a local network can observe, use a location-restricted service, or operate lawfully on a restricted network.
Quick comparison of eight products
The list shows the starting assessment for each product. Answer the tool's questions for a more specific assessment of your situation.
VPN service
A service with a monthly fee that routes your traffic through another company's server.
You probably do not need this
HTTPS protects website content between your browser and the site. A VPN does not stop scams, password abuse or malware on your device.
Do this instead
Heed browser connection warnings and check the site address before signing in or paying.
When this really is worth buying
When you need work access, want to limit what a local network can observe, use a location-restricted service, or operate lawfully on a restricted network.
Antivirus or security package
A paid program or bundle that promises to protect your computer from malware.
You probably do not need this
In an independent test laboratory's June 2026 round, Windows' own protection scored full marks for protection. So did ten paid products.
Do this instead
Check that Windows' own protection is switched on and that updates install automatically. Both are free.
When this really is worth buying
If you need a named extra feature such as parental controls or central management. An unsupported Windows version must be updated or replaced.
New router
The home network device a seller says is too old.
You probably do not need this
A router that still gets updates is not a risk because of its age alone. Speed can be a reason to replace it, but that is a different matter from safety.
Do this instead
Install the updates that are available, and change the default password if you have not. Both are free.
When this really is worth buying
If the manufacturer stops making updates or the router does not support secure WPA2 or WPA3 encryption.
Camera cloud storage subscription
A monthly fee for keeping your security camera's recordings on the manufacturer's server.
You probably do not need this
Your camera already records locally. The subscription adds a separate copy and possible extra features, but local recording may be enough for your needs.
Do this instead
Check that local recording works and that you can export a recording yourself.
When this really is worth buying
If the camera can be taken or damaged and you still need the recording afterwards.
Identity protection or credit monitoring
A service with a monthly fee that promises to watch over how your personal details are used.
Do this first, it costs nothing
Finland's free voluntary credit ban makes it harder to take out credit in your name. Paid monitoring may add alerts and other services; compare those after setting up the ban.
Do this instead
Set up a vapaaehtoinen luottokielto (voluntary credit ban) in the positiivinen luottotietorekisteri (positive credit register) kept by Verohallinto, the Finnish Tax Administration. It costs nothing and it makes it hard for anyone using your details to get credit.
When this really is worth buying
After that, assess paid monitoring by the registers covered, practical help and annual price.
Security box for the home network
A box you plug into the network that promises to protect the smart devices in your home.
You probably do not need this
A network-security device may monitor or restrict traffic, but it cannot install a missing manufacturer software fix on another device.
Do this instead
Check whether your router offers a guest network and whether it isolates smart devices from computers and phones. Availability depends on the router.
When this really is worth buying
If you need its traffic monitoring, time limits or parental controls and your router does not offer the same feature.
Password manager
A program that remembers your passwords for you and creates new ones.
This is worth it
A password manager solves a common problem: remembering a different password for every service. You may not need a paid version.
Do this instead
Your browser's own password manager is free and it is enough for most people. Switch it on today if you do not want to install anything new.
When this really is worth buying
A paid one is worth it if you need to share passwords within the family, or to use them across several different operating systems.
Extended warranty
Extra cover offered at the till, promising to pay for a breakdown after the warranty ends.
You probably do not need this
The end of the warranty does not end the seller's liability. Statutory liability for defects continues after it, and the law does not tie its length to a number of years.
Do this instead
Keep the receipt or another purchase record and contact the seller if the device fails. The liability follows from how long a comparable device can be expected to last.
When this really is worth buying
If the seller says clearly what this gives you beyond the law, and if the device is one whose breaking would stop your daily life.
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