Internet providers with the best security features in 2023
Online security is a big deal. While many of us know the basics, a little help can go a long way—and what better place to get that help than your internet service provider (ISP) itself? After surveying the options, we’ve found AT&T to offer the best all-around security features, with advanced content controls, useful apps, and even a VPN. Oh, and the internet service is great, too.
Providers with the best security features
- Plans starting at $55.00 - $180.00
- Download speeds up to 5000Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 5000Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
- Plans starting at $19.99 - $600.00
- Download speeds up to 6000 Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 6000 Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, visit the provider's website.
- Plans starting at $49.99 - $110.00
- Download speeds up to 940 Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 880 Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.
- Plans starting at $29.99 - $169.97
- Download speeds up to 1 Gbps
- Upload speeds up to 35 Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
Methodology
To determine which ISPs offer the best security features, we started with a list of what we felt were the key features we’d want to see. These include parental controls, website filtering, mobile apps, and malware protection.
We then reviewed which ISPs offered those features, considering how many they offered, how advanced they were, their ease of use, and any additional bonus features available. This ultimately led us to two conclusions: first, that AT&T offers the best security features among ISPs we reviewed, and second, that most providers have a long way to go in this area.
#1: AT&T
- Competitive fiber plans
- Solid customer support
- Excellent reliability
- Expensive installation fees
- Higher monthly prices than some competitors
- Few TV bundling options
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
AT&T offers powerful security features, including comprehensive dashboards and a VPN
Of the major internet service providers, AT&T offers the best overall security package. It offers two powerful systems. The AT&T Smart Home Manager app lets you control many aspects of your network, such as the name and password, device names, and parental controls. It also lets you scan for vulnerabilities and monitor security status.
The real gem is the AT&T ActiveArmor system. This suite brings a ton of advanced features, like a VPN, a threat activity dashboard, and advanced content controls to filter adult content and other websites you may not want to see—useful if you don’t need to limit time spent on devices, but just want to block the crud. Some of these features are included in your plan at no additional cost, while others can be added for the relatively low price of $7 per month.
#2: Xfinity
- Consistently fast speeds
- Wide availability around the country
- Competitive pricing, especially for budget plans
- Data caps on slower plans (unless you pay more)
- Inconsistent pricing and speed availability
- Reputation for poor customer service
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, visit the provider's website.
Xfinity offers a surprisingly strong security suite
Xfinity offers a lot of powerful security features in the form of the xFi Advanced Security system, which is built into the xFi Gateway routers. These include access controls, threat notifications, and real-time device monitoring, which can alert you when devices are behaving in unusual ways (a good indicator of unauthorized network access).
The xFi Advanced Security system can be activated from the Xfinity app, and the features are available at no additional cost, unlike AT&T’s solution. The main difference is that AT&T offers a VPN, while Xfinity does not—this may actually account for the monthly cost on the former.
#3: Verizon Fios
- Reliable, symmetrical speeds
- No contracts
- Limited availability
- No plan above 1 gig
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.
Verizon Fios offers a powerful all-in-one security suite
Verizon Fios comes in a close third with a strong suite of security and privacy tools that it calls Digital Secure. It includes key components like antivirus, website scanning, and Wi-Fi monitoring and security. Verizon, like AT&T, also offers its own VPN service.
One feature we really like from Verizon is identity theft protection. Verizon can monitor the internet (and even the “dark web”) for your personal information and notify you if it finds anything—including email addresses, credit card numbers, your social security number, and more. There’s also identity recovery support from trained specialists in the unfortunate event that something does get stolen.
#4: Spectrum
- Simple plan selection
- No contracts
- No data cap
- Pricey gig plan
- Lots of small fees
- Price increase after 12 months
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
Spectrum provides a basic security suite called…Security Suite
Spectrum brings up the rear in our list with a somewhat lackluster internet security tool called Security Suite. This platform offers basic malware scanning and removal, website monitoring, and a firewall. There are also parental controls to set time limits, monitor activity, and block websites you don’t want your children (or anyone else) accessing.
The big downside with Spectrum’s security offerings is that they work only on Mac and Windows computers—there’s nothing here for mobile devices, which is a shame. Overall, it’s simple and it works, but that’s about it.
What to consider when choosing an internet provider with strong security
These are the features and tools to watch for when choosing a security-focused ISP. Most providers offer very few of these—the more, the better.
Powerful parental controls
If you have kids old enough to get online, one of the chief features you should look for in any service is parental control settings. Given the sheer amount of content out there, and the sometimes-questionable rating systems used by media companies, parents need to be on their guard to ensure that their kids aren’t being exposed to inappropriate material.
Of course, what constitutes “age-appropriate” or “inappropriate” will be different for each child and family. With that in mind, what you want is a flexible parental control system that lets you fine-tune your settings to suit your family.
Malicious website filtering
Not every website has your best interests in mind. Additionally, it’s not always clear that you’re visiting a malicious site until it’s too late—if it’s ever clear. For that reason, a useful feature offered by some ISPs and security suites is automatic website filtering.
With this feature enabled, known malicious sites, or those that exhibit suspicious behavior, are automatically blocked in your web browser. Ideally, you can also add websites to the block list manually to help ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.
An easy-to-use firewall
Firewalls are security systems that monitor network traffic and block traffic to or from untrusted sources. In other words, it prevents unauthorized access to your network and helps secure your network from outsiders and prying eyes.
This is a feature that can seem complicated, but in reality, it’s usually a “set it and forget it” thing. You can turn it on (if it’s not on by default) and just use the default rules to keep your network secure.
Mobile apps
Many internet providers offer mobile apps. These serve two key purposes:
- They make it easy to set up and control your network, including important security features.
- They protect your mobile devices, in addition to your home devices—even on public networks.
What differentiates these apps is their ease of use and any additional features they offer. For example, some provide easy-to-understand reports on network security, such as blocked websites or traffic that the firewall has prevented from accessing the network.
A VPN solution
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a service that helps secure and protect your internet connection by routing it through encrypted servers. VPNs are a popular way to enhance security, but they really work wonders for privacy. That’s because the VPN disguises your location and encrypts your traffic, so any potential snoops can’t see what you’re doing online.
You can, of course, find your own VPN solution. However, some ISPs offer one as part of their security suites, and we consider it a plus to at least have the option.
Malware protection
Malware—software designed to gain unauthorized access to or damage a computer system—remains a concern for everyone using the internet. Some devices, like iPhones and Macs, might be less vulnerable, but it’s almost impossible to say that a device is completely secure against all malware.
Some (though not many) ISPs include antivirus software or other malware protection software as part of their internet security suites. This is especially useful for Windows computers and Android phones, which are usually more vulnerable to malware than other types of devices.
AT&T is the place to be for security
Among the ISPs we’ve reviewed, AT&T offers the best all-around security, with most of the features we need in an easy-to-use package. Xfinity and Verizon Fios follow closely behind, with Spectrum in a distant fourth place.
Dave Schafer is a freelance writer with a passion for making technical concepts easy for anyone to understand. He’s been covering the world of gadgets, tech, and the internet for over 8 years, with a particular focus on TV and internet service providers. When he’s not writing, Dave can be found playing guitar or camping with his family and golden retriever, Rosie.
Bri Field has a background in academia, research writing, and brand marketing. She has edited scientific publications, conference papers, digital content, and technical communications. As Assigning Editor, she enjoys ensuring all content is accurate, clear, and helpful. In her free time, you can find her in the kitchen trying a new recipe, out on a hike, or working through her massive TBR list.
Vilja Johnson leads Switchful's editorial and creative teams. She has been editing content in the consumer tech space since 2016, and she has over a decade of experience teaching writing and editing. She's passionate about creating content that resonates with people and helps them solve real, day-to-day problems. In her free time, Vilja serves on the board of directors for the PrisonEd Foundation, where she runs a writing program for inmates in Utah prisons and jails.