How We Research and Review Tools to Help You Stay Safe Online

At Digital Safety Squad we know what it feels like to worry about online safety. Whether you’re a parent trying to protect your kids from the dark corners of the internet, a small business owner just learning about digital threats, or an individual worried that someone in their life isn’t who they say they are – you’re not alone.

Our work is grounded in one belief: everyone deserves to feel safe and secure, no matter their background or experience.

And that’s why we take our research so seriously.

We Test Every Tool Ourselves

We don’t copy what others say, we don’t rely on company claims, and we don’t recommend anything we wouldn’t use to protect our own families and businesses. Every guide, comparison, and review we publish is based on first-hand, real-world testing. Here’s how we do it:

1. We Install and Use the Tool, Like You Would

At Digital Safety Squad we set up each app, software, or device ourselves on real phones, laptops, and tablets – including iPhones, Androids, PCs, and Macs.

We look at everything from:

How long it takes to install
Whether the instructions actually make sense
What it’s like to use for the first time (without any tech knowledge)

We check how the tool behaves not in theory, but in day-to-day life: as a busy parent, a solo entrepreneur, or someone just trying to feel safer online.

2. We Test How Well It Protects You

We simulate real online risks – fake scam emails, phishing links, malicious websites, dangerous downloads – and see how each product holds up. These are the same tactics scammers and predators use every day.

We test questions like:

Does this app catch a fake school email asking for personal info?
Can it block a risky website before you or your child clicks it?
Does it leak your location or personal details without warning?

If a tool doesn’t pass these tests, we don’t recommend it

3. We Check for All The Red Flags

A tool isn’t helpful if it drains your battery, crashes constantly, or spies on you in return for “protection.” That’s why we test:

App performance and reliability
Battery and memory usage in background mode
What data the company collects — and how clearly they explain it

You deserve tools that respect your privacy and don’t make your life harder.

4. We Test for Real-Life Usability (Not Just Features)

Parents, carers, and small teams often don’t have time to read long manuals or fiddle with complex settings. We test:

Can you set it up in under 10 minutes?
Can a non-tech-savvy family member use it confidently?
Is it clear, simple, and accessible — even for people with different needs?

We even check how easy it is for a child or employee to bypass or uninstall it (because those things matter).

5. We Contact Customer Support (Real Conversations)

If something goes wrong, you’ll want to know if you’ll be stuck waiting days for help, and so do we. Which is why we reach out to every company ourselves – by chat, email, and support tickets – to track how fast and helpful their responses are when you need support the most.

We also research each company’s background, including:

Are they transparent about who they are?
Have they had past data breaches?
Where is your information being stored, and who has access to it?

We share everything we find so you can make a fully informed decision.

How We Score Each Tool Independently

We use plain-language ratings across six key areas, collate our findings and display the results that matter most:

What We Look At	Why It Matters
Protection	Can it actually keep you or your family safe from online threats?
Privacy	Does it respect your data and keep it secure?
Ease of Use	Is it easy for non-tech users to set up and understand?
Features	Does it offer genuinely useful tools that solve real problems?
Value for Money	Do you get fair pricing for what’s included? Any hidden fees or paywalls?
Support & Trust	Can you get help when you need it? Is the company honest and reliable?

We know that cost matters – especially for families and small businesses. That’s why we look closely at what you get for the price, whether there are sneaky upsells, and if the free version is truly useful.

We’re Independent - and Honest About Our Model

We may earn a commission if you choose to buy something through one of our affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and we only recommend products we’ve personally tested and genuinely trust. We turn down partnerships if they don’t meet our standards, because your trust means more than any com

Built for Real People, Not Tech Experts

You won’t find flashy jargon, complicated charts, or endless tech specs here. Our goal is simple:

To help you feel safer and more in control online, with guidance that’s clear, trustworthy, and human.

Whether you’re a parent, a small business owner, or someone just trying to navigate the internet with confidence, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Want to protect your loved ones too?

Our Family Safety Hub has all the information you need to protect your loved. From trusted guides, apps, tools, reviews and expert advice, we break down everything you need to know with simple, practical steps that actually work. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your protection, you’ll find clear, friendly guidance every step of the way.

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