Start Here: 15-Minute Setup for Remote-Work Backup & Security
A tight starter stack for remote work, curated for reliability, security, and value from trusted vendors and third-party reviews. Start with the three Quick Picks, then add the rest as you need them. Most offer free trials.
Prefer to see the full list? See all our tools →
Quick Picks (Start Here)
iDrive Backup — Best overall, set-and-forget backups to cloud + external drive
- Automatic, scheduled backups to cloud + external drive
- Fast restores and file-version history
- Affordable, reliable, works quietly in the background
1Password — Secure, shared password manager
- Create strong passwords, auto-fill everywhere
- Shared vaults for family/teams; easy recovery
Proton VPN — Secure Wi-Fi on travel/co-working
- Protects on public networks; no-logs
- Fast global servers; great app UX
The Full Stack (Optional but Recommended)
Backblaze Personal — Easiest unlimited cloud backup
- Truly unlimited backup for one computer
- Dead simple setup; works in the background
Bitdefender Total Security — Lightweight protection that catches stuff
- Excellent malware/ransomware detection
- Low impact on performance; quiet protection
YubiKey 5 NFC — Hardware key for 2FA on critical accounts
- Physical key = phishing-resistant logins
- Works with Google, Microsoft, 1Password, GitHub, etc.
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you use them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.